It doesn’t matter whether he is polishing his shoes or evacuating a casualty in the battle field: Success to Spc. Ryan Wagner is mission accomplished.

Wagner, a Sparks resident, recently accomplished another mission when he won the Nevada National Guard’s Soldier of the Year Award.

“It shows that I will be able to be given a task and accomplish it no matter what it is,” Wagner said. “ And it is being able to be an example for other soldiers to do the best they can.”

Wagner is a member of the 485th Military Police Company of the Nevada National Guard and one of two soldiers from his company to take home honors following the three-day Nevada National Guard Soldier of the Year competition.

Wagner and First Sgt. Robert Boldry, both from the 485th, emerged as the event’s top competitors, along with Sgt. Samuel England of the L Troop, 1/221 st Cavalry. The competition, held Oct. 16-19, was four days of physical, mental and emotional testing, involving warrior tasks, M-16 training, a day and nighttime navigation course and a written exam.

Wagner was named top soldier, England was named best sergeant and Boldry garnered the first sergeant of the year award.

When asked what made his unit stand out in the competition, Wagner responded with one word: leadership. One leader who Wagner said really made a difference to his performance as a soldier was his competition sponsor, Staff Sgt. William Stevenson.

“He really pushed me,” Wagner said. “Physically, emotionally, mentally, he would never let me stop thinking about what was the next step.”

Stevenson was also the influence that brought Wagner to Sparks two years ago. A member of the National Guard for six and a half years, Wagner said he was struggling a few years ago with his decision to be in the military.

“My sponsor (Stevenson) was a big reason why I moved up here,” Wagner said. “I was his soldier on active duty at the time. I got back in (the military) and have been in the area ever since.”

Wagner said that he hopes to take those lessons of leadership from both Stevenson and the Soldier of the Year competition and pass them on to other up and coming soldiers.

“It is really kind of preparing you to be a non-commissioned officer (NCO),” He said of the competition. “I can take everything that I have learned and apply it to other soldiers. When I am an NCO I can teach them.”

Wagner also said that he hopes his award helps the community understand the need to support the troops.

“Support the troops — that’s the message I want to send to the community,” Wagner said. “Whatever we do, we do for others. It is our career but it is a big motivation tool when someone comes up to you and shakes your hand and says thank you.”