U.S. Army Pfc. Joseph "JJ" Ambrose of the Guam National Guard was awarded a coin of excellence at Basic Combat Training in Georgia.

It was given to Ambrose by Brig. Gen. Simon Schaefer, deputy commanding general at the Maneuver Center of Excellence, Ft. Benning.

"I had the privilege of recognizing one of your stellar Soldiers last week while I was at Ft. Moore. PFC Joseph Ambrose achieved a score of 600 on his Army Combat Fitness Test and was honored as the ‘Iron Soldier’ for his training company. I presented him with one of my coins just prior to graduation. I spoke to a few of the Drill Sergeants and they all said they wished they had a company full of PFC Ambrose’s. Just want to pass along this achievement and let you know this Soldier represented you and Guam very well," said Schaefer.