Army Reserve Unit holds Best Warrior competition at Meridian

Courtesy Photo | Army Reserve Soldier Spc. Mallory Taylor, with the 576th Transportation Company based in Livingston, Ala., navigates an elevated traverse during the 828th Transportation Battalion Best Warrior Competition Nov. 20-22. Taylor was among four competitors vying for the best warrior title and the opportunity to compete at the next level of competition.  

MERIDIAN, MS, UNITED STATES

11.20.2015

Courtesy Story

143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

MERIDIAN, Miss. - Members of the 828th Transportation Battalion, headquartered in Livingston, Ala., held a Best Warrior competition to select one soldier as the battalion’s best.

Competitors from the 206th Transportation Company, 287th Transportation Company (Heavy Equipment Transport), 319th Transportation Company, and 576th Movement Control Detachment and their sponsors, participated in various events on board Naval Air Station Meridian Nov. 20-22.

“Without the support and hospitality of the NAS Meridian command along with the staff of Public Affairs, MWR and Branch Health Clinic, our event would not have been possible,” said Capt. Eduardo C. Zerwes, officer-in-charge of the 828th.

“Army Reserve units have limited resources. It is installations like NAS Meridian that provide us with the tools to be successful.”

The competition is designed to challenge its competitors physically, as well as technically and tactically. The winner of the competition should be a well-rounded Soldiers that will go on to represent the battalion at higher echelon events.

The overall winner was Spc. Jarrell Haynes with the 206th Transportation Company. Other competitors who distinguished themselves from the pack and were recognized with certificates of achievement included, Spc. Michael Brown, 287th TC CO (HET); Spc. Jahmari Martin, 206th TC and runner-up; and Spc. Mallory Taylor, 576th 576th MCD and highest APFT.

On the first day, Soldiers were presented with an ethical dilemma in a combat environment and were required to write an essay about their role as a leader in the implementation of ethical decision making, escalation of force, and the law of land warfare. Day two started early with the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) followed by a timed assembly/disassembly of the M16A2 weapons system. In the afternoon, the competitors proceed to the combat Olympic-style event which included a quarter mile sprint, a 15-metertire flip, zig-zag run/five-gallon water can carry, individual movement techniques and an elevated traverse. The morning of day three, Soldiers reported very early in sub-freezing temperatures for the six-mile road march through NAS Meridian.

Competitors carried a 35-pound rucksack and full gear during the event with Zerwes proudly carrying the Battalion colors ahead of the Soldiers for all six miles.

The final event on the afternoon of day three was a battalion board where competitors demonstrated their knowledge of force sustainment, physical readiness training, Army leadership, unified land operation and offensive/defensive operations.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2015
• Date Posted: 01.15.2016 14:17
• Story ID: 186413
• Location: MERIDIAN, MS, US