Photo By Master Sgt. Warren Wright | First Lt. James Oglesby with the 18th Military Police Brigade moves towards the finish...... read more read more
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GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – Sixteen super Soldiers from across the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, sponsors and organizers converged on Grafenwoehr’s Camp Aachen May 10 to determine the identity of the command’s 2015 “Best Warrior.”
The annual weeklong Best Warrior Competition, slated for May 10-14, identifies top troopers in officer, noncommissioned officer and junior Soldier categories.
The competition is conducted at echelon throughout U.S. Army Europe; each contestant in the TSC competition has already triumphed at brigade or battalion level. Top troopers from the 21st Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 18th Military Police Brigade, 30th Medical Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, and NATO Brigade are participating in this week’s competition.
The competition began with a customary esprit-building social event held May 10. Sponsors enthusiastically supported their candidates and units, taking a few good-natured jabs at competitors in the process. The program also included a buffet dinner, motivational video and inspirational words from Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney Rhoades, the TSC senior enlisted leader.
“Day 1” began as most Army schools and competitions do, with an early wake-up and an Army physical fitness test, which participants took in field uniform. After a quick breakfast, competitors shot an azimuth to their next stop, the land navigation course. Engagement skills trainer and “stress shoot” events followed.
Competitors moved on to another stressful event, a uniform inspection, later in the afternoon. An exhausting opening day culminated in day and night urban orienteering events, with training slated to extend into the wee hours of May 12.
Little rest for the weary lay in store. A medical simulation training center event; a machine gun range; an obstacle course; evaluation of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Program knowledge; a “mystery event” and night land navigation testing are all scheduled for “Day 2.”
“Day 3” features military operations in urban terrain, reaction to indirect and direct fire, a weapons qualification range and a military board.
The event culminates in a road march and “combatives” tournament slated for the competition’s final day. The year’s “Best Warriors” will be announced during a ceremony slated for the early afternoon of May 14.
“The competition not only encourages professional excellence, discipline and resilience among our Warriors but helps build the team,” Rhoades said. “It’s about dedicated sponsors who endure every hardship alongside their Warrior and supportive, committed organizations as well as competitors. This is about building esprit, building winning teams and building leaders at every level.”
“This event both instills and reflects our Army Values,” he added. “It requires strong character and iron discipline by competitors and teammates alike. So we’re not just determining our ‘Best Warriors,’ but building ‘Strong Teams’ and a ‘Strong Europe.’”
The CSM anticipates success this week and beyond.
“Our Warriors and teams are delivering a very clear message: ‘I serve in the best squad in the best platoon in the best company in our Army,’” he said. “We have every expectation of winning at USAREUR level and Army level.”
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2015 02:28 |
| Story ID: | 162984 |
| Location: | GRAFENWOEHR, DE |
| Web Views: | 158 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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