2022 Delaware Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition

Photo By Sgt. Alyssa Lisenbe | Delaware Army National Guard service members compete in the annual Best Warrior Competition at the River Road Training Site, Apr. 8, 2022. The winners will represent the Delaware Guard in the regional competition held later this year and have the option to go to Air Assault School. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Alyssa Lisenbe)  

NEWARK, DE, UNITED STATES

04.08.2022

Story by Spc. Alyssa Lisenbe 

Delaware National Guard Public Affairs

NEWARK, Del. – Delaware Army National Guard service members competed in the annual Best Warrior Competition at the River Road Training Site, Apr. 8, 2022.
The winners will represent the Delaware Guard in the regional competition held later this year and have the option to go to Air Assault School.
“There’s high levels of motivations, high levels of commitment and it really did show out there,” said Sgt. Maj. Jason McDowell with Joint Force Headquarters.
The Best Warrior noncommissioned officer of the year winner was Sgt. Colton Platzke with the 1049th Transportation Company and the Best Warrior Soldier of the year winner was Pfc. Brian Kneisly with Alpha Company, 198th Signal Battalion.
“My favorite part of the competition was being able to meet people from around the state and compete with other units,” said Kneisly.
However, meeting and competing with other soldiers from the state was not the only benefit to the competition.
“It’s definitely worth it,” said Kneisly. “It’s really a great opportunity to push yourself to participate in something that’s a little bigger than yourself as an individual.”
In one day, all seven competitors had to complete the Army Combat Fitness Test, a six-mile ruck, and a weapons qualification to make it to the awards ceremony.
“It feels fantastic to come out with the win for state level competition,” said Platzke. “I am ready to continue training and go to regionals to put on a good show down there too.”
Platzke won the Best Warrior Soldier of the year in 2017 and decided to come back for the 2022 Best Warrior NCO of the year competition.
“I’ve been itching to come back and try to win it again,” said Platzke. “Meeting people around the state is a really cool opportunity that we don’t get every drill.”
The runner up for Best Warrior NCO of the year was Staff Sgt. James Boyer with the 198th Signal Battalion Headquarters and the runner up for Best Warrior Soldier of the year was Spc. Tanee DeCosta with Charlie Company, 198th Signal Company. If the winners of this competition are unable to compete in regionals or go to Air Assault school, the runner ups will have the chance to take their place.
The other competitors recognized at the award ceremony were Spc. Judy Pudder with the 198th Signal Battalion HHC, Spc. William Esterling with the 287th Army Band, and Spc. Matthew Francis with the 1049th Transportation Company.

• Date Taken: 04.08.2022
• Date Posted: 04.28.2022 09:08
• Story ID: 418941
• Location: NEWARK, DE, US