Sgt. Obray shares webcast with Chicago families

Brandi Schiff/

Office, Chief of Public Affairs, Midwest

CHICAGO - U.S. Army Soldier of the Year, Sgt. David Obray, a light-wheeled mechanic with the U.S. Army Reserve, 492nd Engineer Company, 416th Engineer Command, Darien, Ill., listens intently to Maj. Gen. Richard Formica, Commander Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan and Brig. Gen. Steve Huber, Joint Task Force Phoenix commander, stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan, at a webcast in Chicago. Sponsored by "We Do Care," and hosted by the U.S. Cellular Corporation, the webcast at U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, was arranged to give family members of deployed Soldiers from the 33rd Brigade, Infantry Combat Team, Illinois Army National Guard, a chance to interact with community leaders and ask questions to the senior leadership of their loved ones in Kabul. Obray was an honored guest at the Webcast and was on hand to interact with the family members, show support and answer questions.

See more photos at: http://tinyurl.com/ojcme9

Sgt. Obray named Chicago Bulls honorary team captain

As posted on ABC News 7 - Chicago

"March 24, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- The crowd cheered after the Bulls named Sergeant David Obray honorary team captain at Tuesday's game against the Pistons."

Click here for complete article.

Sgt. Obray hits magazine newsstands across America

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

Sgt. David Obray appears in the April 2009 issue of Men's Health Magazine on page 52.

He is featured in the "Belly Off Club" section, highlighting his amazing physical transformation.

Here's an excerpt from the article.

The Change: Obray was excited for his brother to return from military duty in Afghanistan, and channeled that excitement into running. Later, the two brothers lifted weights together. Obray grew stronger and leaner, and then enlisted in the Army Reserve. He qualified (barely) to run with Alpha, the most physically fit group. "My drill sergeant asked if I could hang with Alpha or if I wanted to move down to Bravo, and because he doubted me I was motivated to prove him wrong," Obray says.

To read the entire article, visit Men's Health magazine.

Spc. Obray interview on "Twin Cities Live"

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

Army Soldier of the Year Spc. David Obray made an appearance on the television show "Twin Cities Live" on Monday, Oct. 20.

Here's an excerpt from their website.

He went from being unable to run a mile to doing it in less than six minutes! Specialist, David Obray from Fairmont has only three years experience in the United States Army, but he has already been awarded the prestigious honor of “Soldier of the Year,” for the entire United States Army. The Best Warrior Competition names the Soldier of the Year and it tests the physical endurance and intellectual ability of elite competitors.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO

Spc. Obray drops in game ball at Army vs Notre Dame lacrosse game

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

Army Soldier of the Year was the guest of honor at the first-ever Army vs. Notre Dame lacrosse game held in Blaine, Minn.

As the honoree, he dropped in the game ball on the opening face-off. The good news, Army defeated Notre Dame 9-8 in double overtime.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE STORY ON ARMYSPORTS.COM

And the winner is...! Spc. David Obray named the 2008 Dept. of the Army Soldier of the Year "Best Warrior"

- (From the top) - Army Reserve Command Sergeant Major Leon Caffie congratulates Spc. Obray.
- Spc. Obray poses with Gen. Peter Chiarelli, Army Vice Chief of Staff (left) and Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston.
- (L-R) Gen. Chiarelli, Spc. Obray, Staff Sgt. Michael Noyce Merino, NCO of the Year winner, and Sgt. Major of the Army Preston.
- Spc. Obray is congratulated again by Sgt. Major of the Army Preston in the receiving line.

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

Obray's selection was made at the Sergeant Major of the Army luncheon at the Association of the United States Army annual convention today in Washington, D.C.

Obray defeated 11 other competitors in the Soldier of the Year category representing major Army commands by conquering urban warfare simulations, board interviews, essays, physical fitness tests and Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills relevant to today's current operating environment.

The 22 year-old Construction Equipment Repair Specialist with the 492nd Engineer Company, 414th Engineer Command is a senior at Winona State University. He is the President of the Student Association at WSU and is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Law & Society and Business Law.

Weighing 300 pounds at age 16, Obray credits military discipline with giving him the courage and ability to become physically and mentally fit. Obray's brother and sister currently serve in the Army.

In the NCO of the Year competition, it was Staff Sgt. Michael Noyce Merino of the Montana Army National Guard taking top honors.

Read post-ceremony press conference story on Army.mil. (CLICK HERE)

Gutierrez, Obray await NCO & Soldier of the Year results

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

The 2008 Dept. of the Army NCO and Soldier of the Year "Best Warrior" is complete and Army Reserve "Best Warriors" Staff Sgt. Francisco Gutierrez and Spc. David Obray along with the other 22 major command competitors are on their way to Washington, D.C.

After attending the GEICO pasta dinner this evening, they will get to experience the Army 10-miler from the reviewing stands on Sunday...a welcome relief after being on their feet for most of this past week during the NCOY-SOY competition.

Monday is the big day when this year's NCO and Soldier "Best Warrior" winners will be announced during a luncheon hosted by Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) annual convention in Washington, D.C.

Gutierrez, Obray complete Mystery Event

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs
Staff Sgt. Francisco Gutierrez and Spec. David Obray completed the final event of the Army's "Best Warrior" competition...the Mystery Event.

The Army Reserve "Best Warriors" completed all the mini-events which made up the overall Mystery Event.

The mini-events included: a uniform PCC/PCI, Escalation of Force scenario, Humvee roll-over simulator, a Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) scenario and the long-time staple of the Mystery Event, a combatives tournament.

We are pleased to report that Spc. Obray won the Soldier side of the bracket and faced off against the NCO winner. Eventhough he did defeat the NCO, Spc. Obray was truly the "best of the best" on the combatives mat amongst the 12 Soldier competitors.

Gutierrez, Obray complete M4 night qualification

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs
The skies over the Fort Lee, Va. range complex were filled with parachute flares as Army Reserve "Best Warriors" Staff Sgt. Francisco Gutierrez and Spc. David Obray completed the M4 night qualification event.

As the flares soared into the night sky, Gutierrez, Obray and the other 22 competitors "scanned their sectors" and engaged their targets.

The next to the last event in the 2008 Dept. of the Army Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year "Best Warrior" competition sets the stage for Friday's Mystery Event.

Gutierrez, Obray complete day M4 qual and stress fire qual events

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

Thursday continued to be a busy day for the Army Reserve "Best Warriors", Staff Sgt. Francisco Gutierrez and Spc. David Obray.

In the afternoon, Gutierrez and Obray competed in two M4 qualification events - the daytime range and a stress fire range.

During the stress fire range, both competitors were required to evacuate a 200 lb. casualty manequin from a Humvee, drag the casualty to cover behind a brick wall and engage pop-up targets.

Then they moved the casualty behind a blown up car and engaged more pop-up targets in doors, behind walls.

All of this was done while the battle space was obscured with plenty of smoke on the lane.

After a brief bit of down time and a field-served meal, the Gutierrez and Obray will take on the always challenging night time M4 qualification range.

Gutierrez, Obray complete Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

After a few hours of shut eye, Army Reserve "Best Warriors" Staff Sgt. Francisco Gutierrez and Spc. David Obray set off on cold, dark and breezy morning at Fort Lee, Va. for the Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills.

The Warriors had to complete five stations consisting of: weapons assembly, medical, evacuation of a casualty, enemy POW handling and IED detection.

From there, the Warriors head out to the M4 qualification range for day and night fire.

The final phase of the five day competition will be the Mystery Event. None of the 24 competitors in this year's competition knows what that will be...even the start time is a mystery!

Gutierrez, Obray complete Urban Orienteering Course (Day & Night)

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

Wednesday was a long day for Army Reserve "Best Warrior" Staff Sgt. Francisco Gutierrez and Spc. David Obray.

After completing the AFPT, the Written Exam and the Essay it was on to the field for the Urban Warfighting Orienteering Course conducted both during the day and later that evening.

During the daytime, the Warriors were required to navigate across Fort Lee, locating four points while also interacting with role-players at each location. The course covered approximately five miles across the post.

In the evening, the Warriors were required to find three pionts. After a few hours of sleep it was on to the Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills early, early Thursday morning.

Gutierrez, Obray complete AFPT

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

Staff Sgt. Gutierrez and Spc. Obray completed the AFPT this morning well before sun-up.

Both Army Reserve Warriors looked good throughout, cranking out push-ups, sit-ups and the two mile run.

They are currently taking the Written Exam and the Written Essay portion of the overall competition.

This afternoon and later this evening, the Army Reserve Warriors will be participating in the Urban Warfighting Orienteering Course.