FORT MCCOY, Wis. -- As the week rolls by, Cpl. Lance Clifford, finds himself stepping up to a challenge he welcomed, as he competes for the title of non-commissioned officer of the year at the United States Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition.

BWC brings the best of the best soldiers from the Army Reserve to compete against each other in both physical and mental soldiering events.

"I like the challenge and the opportunity to be able to do this type of training," said Clifford ,an intelligence analyst for the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., representing the 416th Theater Engineer Command out of Darien, Ill.

"I don't get to do this kind of stuff as an analyst and steeping up, preparing myself enabled me to do this type of training," said Clifford, who is a freelance writer from Seattle.

"And on top of that it just makes me a well-rounded Soldier, which I think is important especially in the Reserve," he added. "A lot of time these soldiering skills often get overlooked in garrison and it's great to able to to come here and sharpen those skills."

The weeklong competition consists of ruck marching, weapon qualification, written exam, mystery events and combatives.

Clifford stated that the experience of pushing yourself and pushing through when it gets hard and painful is what keeps him going through the competition.

The land navigation course proved to be one of his greatest challenges yet.

"That chewed me up and spat me out," Clifford said, who has a degree in sociology and philosophy.

"Mainly because of the thick woods, I got turned around a few times. Then there was Pikes Peak, the highest part around here, I'm sure," he added.

As part of the competition, the competitors were also faced with mystery events. One of them which included a ride in a Black Hawk helicopter, a first for Clifford.

"I had never ridden in a Black Hawk before. That was very fun and I had a nice window seat," he said with a smile.

Clifford credited his significant other in preparing for the grueling competition.

"My girlfriend has helped me out a lot. She's active duty and getting ready for her promotion board," he said. "We would quiz each other and do physical fitness together."

Clifford, hopes to take the skills and experiences from this competition and apply them by teaching and mentoring Soldiers in his unit.

"It would also be great to come back next year as a sponsor and train up someone else," he said. "Especially after getting to this level , knowing what to expect, and being able to see if they can excel some of my failings."

"Whether I win or lose, it's great to just be here to compete," he concluded.