Thirty-five junior enlisted Soldiers of the 94th Engineer Battalion were put to the test during the unit's two-day Best Wolverine Operator Competition held May 14 to 15.

The 77th Engineer Company earned top team honors, Forward Support Company finished second, and Company A, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade took third place.

Spc. Nicholas Daigle from the 77th Engineer Company (Vertical) took top honors in the individual category, followed by Spc. Peter Verona of Forward Support Company, and Spc. Joel Stuemke of 232nd Engineer Company placed third.

"The competition was designed to reinforce operator level knowledge of the operation and maintenance of unit equipment at the user level," said 1st Lt. Siegfried Tiegs, 94th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Tactical Action Center officer in charge.

"A major focus was on attention to detail, while boosting their confidence in how to properly care for and maintain their assigned equipment," Tiegs added. "This ultimately improves our ability to shoot, move and communicate on the battlefield."

The competition began with a board and 50-question written exam. In the weeks leading up to the event, the Soldiers were given a 20-page study guide that covered various field manuals, technical manuals and the battalion's maintenance standard operating procedures.

"For most of the Soldiers, it was the first time they attended any form of board. It is great and is great preparation for their future," Tiegs said.

The final day was comprised of a team physical fitness challenge and nine stations in which participants were tested on dispatch procedures, proper ground guide techniques and how to properly perform preventative maintenance checks and services on a vehicle.

According to Tiegs, the Soldiers were tested on how to properly change a Humvee tire and the proper way to operate and maintain Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear equipment, Army Stationing Installation Plan radios, the 10,000-watt generator, and the assembly/disassembly and functions check of the M16A2 rifle and M2 .50 caliber machine gun.

"It was a great experience. I had never operated a 10-k generator before, so getting the experience of learning how to start it was great and will help me in the future," said Spc. Sarah Hatchard, 232nd Engineer Company, horizontal construction engineer.

"The competition was a great refresher for me as a mechanic," said Spc. Michael Ehlers, Forward Support Company wheeled vehicle mechanic. "I know it was a great training event for the new Soldiers of the battalion."

(Editor's note: 1st Lt. Siegfried Tiegs contributed to this story.)