Photo By Maj. Will Cox | A Georgia Guardsman with the 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade works his way...... read more read more
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GEORGIA GARRISON TRAINING CENTER, Fort Stewart, Ga. – After 72 hours and 27 grueling events, two Georgia Army Guardsmen achieved the title of 'Best Warrior' at this year’s Soldier and NCO 'Best Warrior' competition.
Each major subordinate command sent their top Soldier and NCO to compete at the state level, but in the end Sgt. Samuel Shuler and Spc. John Pettas, both of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, won the honor of the state's 'Best Warrior' title. The two will go on to represent Georgia in the regional 'Best Warrior' competition to be held in the Virgin Islands later this year.
“This is the kind of training that our Guardsmen signed up for,” said State Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Stringfield. “The competition was great and our motivated Soldiers pushed each other to the next level. I feel good about winning regionals and going to the Nationals.”
The competition started with an Army Physical Fitness Test; an M4 weapons qualification range; a mystery weapons event; a military operations on urban terrain (MOUT) event including 12 additional tasks; a map reading test; a nuclear, biological or chemical (NBC) event and day one ended at 10pm with an M9 weapons qualification event. A few hours later day two started at 4 am with land navigation, an individual movement technique (IMT) mystery event, Army Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills testing and an obstacle course. Day three included a military board followed by the awards banquet hosted by Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Stringfield and Col. Thomas Carden, the Georgia Army National Guard command team.
Spc. John Pettas from Atlanta, Georgia is assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th IBCT and achieved the title of 'Best Warrior' in the junior enlisted field. He will represent more than 11,000 Georgia Army National Guardsmen at the regional event for a chance to compete at the national level.
“The competition was grueling, leaving us physically drained with little sleep,” said Pettas. “The comradery during the event is what kept me going. My peers were amazing, encouraging me through every event.”
Sgt. Samuel Shuler from Smyrna, Georgia is assigned to Alpha Troop, 1-108th Cavalry Regiment, 48th IBCT and secured the title of Best Warrior in the non-commissioned officer field. He will also represent more than 11,000 Georgia Army National Guardsmen at the regional event for a chance to compete at the national level.
“I loved this competition because it is really hard to find a training event at this level of difficulty,” said Shuler. “We had to give it our all and it was a great group of competitors that supported each other throughout the events.”
Col. Thomas Carden, Georgia ARNG commander, was among those praising Sgt. Shuler and Spc. Pettas’ performances over the event's three days. He celebrated with all of the Guardsmen who competed for this year’s GA ARNG Soldier and NCO 'Best Warrior' title.
“I am proud of the pace our best warriors set and know each of these warriors pushed their teammates to the next level during this competition,” said Carden. “And I know each of the warriors will go back to their unit taking that same attitude and pursuit of excellence to raise the bar for their peers, subordinates and superiors alike. That competitive spirit pushes us all to the next level and that is what will continue to make the Georgia Army National Guard the best in the nation.”
| Date Taken: | 03.07.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.18.2015 10:18 |
| Story ID: | 157341 |
| Location: | SAVANNAH, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 228 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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