When it comes to choosing 2018's Man of the Year, discussions amongst the Washington Free Beacon staff are typically, heated, argumentative and highly divisive. Those adjectives do not apply in the case of Army Command Sgt. Maj, John Wayne Troxell, for this man is a unanimous awardee.

In the shortest deliberation in Free Beacon history, Sgt. Maj. Troxell took home the Man of the Year honor on the strength of a single quote in addressing America's military strategy against the evil terrorist group known as ISIS.

From the Washington Post:

"ISIS needs to understand that the Joint Force is on orders to annihilate them,' Troxell wrote on Facebook. ‘So, they have two options should they decide to come up against the United States, our allies and partners: surrender or die!' Troxell added that the U.S.-led military coalition will provide militants who surrender with safety in a detainee cell, food, a cot and legal due process. ‘HOWEVER, if they choose not to surrender, then we will kill them with extreme prejudice, whether that be through security force assistance, by dropping bombs on them, shooting them in the face, or beating them to death with our entrenching tools,' Troxell wrote. ‘Regardless, they cannot win, so they need to choose how it's going to be.'"

This quote and never say die attitude exemplify the unique and exceptional character of our fighting men and women and serves to remind us all of what it takes to keep America safe year in and year out.

Our country and our publication are eternally grateful to all those who serve, and as a small token of our endless appreciation for their sacrifices, Army Command Sgt. Maj, John Wayne Troxell is 2018's Free Beacon Man of the Year.