SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Best Warrior Competition, a grueling three-day test of endurance, discipline and soldier skills, pitted 16 soldiers of the 96th Sustainment Brigade against each other for the highest honor in the junior enlisted and non-commissioned officer categories March 4-6.
"The best warrior is someone who can shoot, move and communicate … someone who can adapt to stressful situations, and perform in combat,” said 1st Sgt. Steven Proffit with the 191st Combat Sustainment and Support Brigade.
Staff Sgt. Leith Strachan, a motor transport specialist with the 419th Transportation Unit, won the non-commissioned officer division. Pfc. Mark Hansen, a transportation management coordinator with 889th Transportation Company, won the junior enlisted division.
The competition kicked off Friday at Camp Williams with a detailed inspection of equipment by drill sergeants of the 2/414th, 95th Division. Later that day, warriors were put to the test with a modified Army Physical Fitness Test that had no rest time in between events. The soldiers wore their army combat uniforms and running shoes during the event.
Warriors appeared before an appearance board looking sharp in their dress uniform. Prior to the board, soldiers took a written exam addressing the issue of suicide prevention, a current challenge the Army faces. Soldiers wrote at least a page that reflected their thoughts and constructed potential resolutions.
Day two featured advanced weapons marksmanship and for Hansen, it was the event that he most anticipated. The reflexive firing techniques add more dimensions to improve soldiers’ combat ability.
“[Reflexive firing] that was the best,” he said. “It was articulate. I liked that. I had good practice with marksmanship.” The range event allowed soldiers to put their combat skills into practice.
The drill sergeants added difficulty to the land navigation course later that day. Not only did soldiers need to plot and find four points within three hours, they were also tested on a soldier skill at each point.
“[It] helps improve soldiers. All of the competition incorporates basic soldier skills,“ said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Harrison, a drill sergeant.
The competition didn’t stop there. Warriors completed a strenuous 10-mile road march to close out the day, and an intense combatives tournament provided the finale on day three. The warriors grappled bravely and the matches provided intense spectacle for the judges and audience.
“In doing this we’re leaders and we’re representing the army and by doing so we’re leading from the front,” Hansen said.
It was a surprising moment for Strachan when he was selected as the best warrior in a close decision. His dedication to studying warrior tasks and endurance training are what prepared him for the competition, he said.
Strachan encourages soldiers to prepare for the competition and said, “Train hard. Don’t take it lightly.”
The contest brought out a competitive spirit that allowed soldiers to see how well rounded they were, said Command Sgt. Maj. Vicki Briggs of the 96th STB.
“It was a great group of competitors … we all pushed each other,” added Strachan.
Soldiers came from all over to be in the competition, including Utah, Idaho and Colorado. “Most of these guys that are out here, they’re not competing for an [Army Achievement Medal] or an [Army Commendation Medal],” said Briggs.
The Army Reserve soldiers experienced training that most of them don’t ordinarily get to experience on a regular basis. The competition gave them a taste of the tactical proficiency and mental toughness that will serve them well as leaders.
Strachan and Hansen won the right to compete in the 364th Expeditionary Support Command’s Best Warrior Competition next year. The sixteen soldiers who competed are eligible to take part as well.
Through a positive competitive character and devotion to the Army, the soldiers represented the 96th Sustainment Brigade well. The winning competitors exemplified what it takes to be a warrior, a best warrior.
| Date Taken: |
03.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
03.12.2011 10:49 |
| Story ID: |
66938 |
| Location: |
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, US |
| Web Views: |
65 |
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0 |
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