Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Selvage | Sgt. Joshua Fritz, a Frankfort, Mich. native, motor transport operator assigned to the...... read more read more
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – The 10th Sustainment Brigade hosted a best warrior competition March 22 here to identify the most qualified soldiers to represent the Muleskinner brigade in a future 1st Theater Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition.
Soldiers competed in a two-day competition consisting of six events to earn the title of best warrior in the Muleskinner brigade.
There were two categories soldiers were able to place in, best NCO and best soldier.
“Boards and competitions are the way we select the best of the best while assessing their talents and recognizing them for their outstanding efforts,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jose A. Castillo, senior enlisted leader of 10th SBDE. “Through inspections, assessments of character, evaluations, competitions and performance is how we should assess talent while assisting them in their quest to be better leaders.”
The competitors’ day started by getting their height and weight recorded before conducting an Army Physical Fitness Test. The APFT consisted of the three original events; push ups, sit ups and a two-mile run as well as a pull up event.
Pfc. Alissa Grant, a Greenville, S.C. native, wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Special Troops Battalion, 10th SBDE, had the highest APFT score of 294.
Sgt. Steve Morales, a Ventura, Calf. native, ammunition specialist assigned to HHC, 10th STB, scored the highest out of the NCOs competing with a score of 280.
Once everyone completed the AFPT, they were given time to conduct personal hygiene and eat breakfast before the next event.
The second portion of the competition was a written test consisting of 30 questions ranging from general military knowledge to military history. The competitors also had to write an essay explaining what it means to them to be the leader they want to be led by.
Morales and Pfc. Monty Green, a Chase City, Va., native, human resource specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, took first place for the written portion of the competition.
Immediately following the written test, soldiers conducted the warrior task portion of the competition.
Competitors were required to disassemble and reassemble an M240 and M2 .50 caliber machine gun as quickly and efficiently as possible. They were closely monitored and timed by Soldiers of the brigade’s command security team.
Grant was the fastest soldier to complete this task taking 2 minutes, 27 seconds on the M240 and 2:41 on the M2.
Sgt. Joshua Fritz, a Frankfort, Mich. native, motor transport operator assigned to the 96th Transportation Company, 142nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, was the fastest NCO on the M240 with a time of 1:07.
Sgt. Teary Ing, a Fresno, Calif. native, allied trade specialist assigned to HHC, 10th STB, was the fastest NCO on the M2 with a time of 4:07.
After the last soldier reassembled the weapons, everybody was bussed to the qualification range for the next portion of the competition.
Sgt. William Morgan, a Glens Falls, N.Y., native, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist assigned to HHD, 548th CSSB, said he likes doing this kind of training because it’s fun and it’s what being a soldier is all about.
At the range, soldiers received a safety brief and instructions for the next challenge. The competitors shot at paper targets to qualify on their assigned weapon.
Green scored the highest out of the Soldiers at the range with a score of 37 out of 40.
Fritz shot 39 scoring the highest of the NCO competitors.
Then after the range, the competitors were released for lunch and given instructions to meet at the brigade later that evening for the final event of the day.
Competitor’s donned their improved outer tactical vest, advanced combat helmet, assigned weapons and a 20-pound ruck sack in preparation for the 10-kilometer ruck march around the base.
After receiving a safety brief and prayer from the brigade chaplain, the soldier’s rucks were weighed before the start of their final event.
Some soldiers ran portions of the march while others kept a steady pace.
Drenched in sweat, Morales sprinted through the finish line in 1 hour, 8 minutes. He was the first NCO to finish the ruck march. The second competitor to finish the ruck march was 11 minutes behind him.
Morales said every time he thought he heard footsteps behind him he would push himself harder and faster until he couldn’t hear them anymore.
Spc. Dedreck Rucker, a Conroe, Texas native, human resource specialist assigned to HHC, 10th STB, was the fastest Soldier to complete the ruck march with a time of 1:22.
The first day of the competition was complete leaving the competitors exhausted physically and mentally.
The following day, the competitors arrived at the brigade ready to stand in front of a board of senior leaders throughout the brigade.
“I’m studying for the NCO of the month board so all that knowledge has helped me prepare for this,” said Morales.
At the end of the day, there could only be one winner for each category. The board members reviewed the scores from each event and incorporated them into their decision.
“It was a tough competition,” said Morales. “I really pushed myself and really enjoyed the challenge.”
Morales and Grant proved to be the best soldiers to represent the Muleskinner brigade and will continue to train and better themselves in preparation for the 1st Theater Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition.
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.31.2014 12:47 |
| Story ID: | 123313 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | AKRON, OH, US |
| Hometown: | CHASE CITY, VA, US |
| Hometown: | CONROE, TX, US |
| Hometown: | FRANKFORT, MI, US |
| Hometown: | FRESNO, CA, US |
| Hometown: | GLENS FALLS, NY, US |
| Hometown: | GREENVILLE, SC, US |
| Hometown: | VENTURA, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 528 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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