The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Soldier of the Year, Spc. Stephen Holmes, was named the 2013 U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Soldier of the Year. The bioscience specialist in the damage control resuscitation task area of the USAISR Combat Casualty Care Research Directorate has been at the Institute for two years.

Holmes attributes his selection as the top USAMRMC Soldier to his confidence and devotion to his job.

"I love being directly involved in the research [combat casualty care], especially the surgical aspect of it," he said. "This competition helped me identify my weaknesses and work on them, but it also helped me understand my strengths and to be proud of those as well."

The Maine native and graduate of Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, Ala., earned a Bachelor's in Bible/Theology in 2008. He has been in the Army for four years and said that joining the military was something that he did for his family.

"I grew up in a military household and enjoyed the experience very much," he said. "After college, I wanted my family to have the same experience."

Holmes is aspiring to earn the rank of sergeant, and will be completing his Masters degree or applying for medical school in the near future. But for now, he is going to embrace and enjoy his achievement.

"I believe it is going to be a good opportunity to experience something new in the Army," he said. "Being in research, sometimes we get disconnected with some parts of the Army culture, and this will allow me to explore some of those things."

The advice for anyone who would like to accomplish what he has is to never underestimate yourself.

"I was sure going into the competition, that I had no chance," said Holmes. "Now, I am the Soldier of the Year."

Holmes will represent the USAMRMC at the Army Medicine Department Soldier of the Year competition August 19-23.