Sgt. Kovats: “This competition will test my warrior spirit.”

 

Sgt. Richard Kovats, 412th Theater Engineer Command

An Oakland, N.J., Soldier is competing in the Army Reserve’s prestigious “Best Warrior Competition” at Fort McCoy, Wis., from 13-17 July.  Sgt. Richard D. Kovats, a construction equipment repairer with the Northfield, N.J. 328^th Engineer Company, part of the 412th Theater Engineer Command.

Kovats deployed to Baghdad with the 479^th Engineer Battalion from 2007 – 8.  He was the lead truck driver on 31 missions to recover vehicles struck by IEDs, some in the dangerous center of Baghdad.  In addition, he performed critical maintenance on vehicles and equipment, enabling convoys to supply remote areas –and taught himself carpentry, constructing small buildings for the battalion.

 “This is the Best of the Best,” said Kovats.  “This competition will test my warrior spirit, but I believe in the Warrior Ethos and what it stands for.  I will succeed and never quit.”

Sgt. Richard Kovats, 328th Engineer Company, looks at the terrain through his compass to ensure he is headed in the right direction during the land navigation portion of the 412th's Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Smith, N.Y., April 14-17.

Kovats is currently pursuing a degree in liberal arts at Atlantic Cape Community College. 

See more images from the 412th Theater Engineer Command’s Best Warrior Competition at DVIDSHUB!