Photo By Sgt. Shye Wilborn | Soldiers and noncommissioned officers of the Region III Best Warrior Competition...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga. April 22, 2016 – After five days of grueling competition, Georgia National Guard Specialist Joseph Broam and Florida National Guard Staff Sergeant Travis Ugarte took home the top honors while competing against Guardsmen from nine different states and territories in the Region III Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition.
The competition was held in Fort Stewart, Ga. April 18-22, 2016. Georgia, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Florida sent one Soldier and one NCO to represent their state or territory.
Guardsmen competed in mentally and physically demanding events that required Soldiers and NCOs to demonstrate all aspects of the Army Values. While also recognizing NCOs and Soldiers for their dedication to physical and mental toughness, it promoted Army pride and fellowship between Guardsmen.
“I am so proud of each and every Soldier and NCO in this competition. I know you all worked so hard and did things that most of us wouldn’t do,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Carden, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, while addressing the competitors during the final ceremony.
Throughout the tough competition, all the competitors kept high spirits and the sponsors provided much needed encouragement.
"It is more than just providing water or snacks," said Georgia Guardsman, Staff Sgt. Mauricio Candido, Staff Sgt. Demetrius McCowan’s sponsor. "It is about being there for them; emotionally, mentally, and physically encouraging and motivating them every step of the way."
This competition evaluated many aspects of the Warrior Training Tasks, such as weapons knowledge, M4 carbine rifle and 9 mm pistol qualification, and land navigation.
Physically challenging events included a 12-mile ruck march, a timed obstacle course, unknown distance combat run, individual movement technique lanes, four-gun stress shoot and a water survival test. Mentally challenging events included the general knowledge test, written essay, and board appearance.
Specialist Broam and Staff Sgt. McCowan, Georgia Soldier and NCO of the year and winners of the Georgia Best Warrior Competition trained ever since they won in March. Some of their preparation included hiking the Rocky Mountains wearing a ruck sack.
“While hiking the mountain, I realized it is much like this competition,” said Broam. “It is an uphill battle but we’ve trained for this physically and mentally through the guidance and influence of our state senior leadership.”
“For every competitor, preparation for the Region III Competition was different,” said McCowan. “I had to change my diet completely, which was very hard because I really like good food.”
Though Staff Sgt. McCowan didn't win the competition, he was overwhelmingly excited for Spc. Broam.
”Losing by such a close margin is always hard on the heart,” said McCowan. “It helps to hear from all the Georgia Soldiers who witnessed my performance say that they are proud to serve with me and that I represented them well. It's an honor to know that the Region III Best Warrior Soldier, our very own Spc. Broam, wants me to sponsor him at the National Competition.”
Broam, who is a full-time student and works part-time, said he put everything he had into this competition and did not allow the added stress or pressure to interfere with his performance.
“I am honored to advance and represent Georgia and Region III in The Best Warrior National Competition,” said Broam. “I feel that winning regionals is the outcome of the support from my family and my friends, and great leadership, training and support that I have received from the Ga. ARNG.”
Broam also appreciates the support he received from his NCO counterpart as well as his command sergeant major.
“I also have to thank Staff Sgt. McCowan and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason York. They mentored me through the entire preparation leading up to regionals. Having Staff Sgt. McCowan compete beside me, continually pushed me to better myself throughout the competition. I’ve asked him to be my sponsor during the National Competition. He knows what it is like first-hand to compete.”
Ga. ARNG State Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Stringfield left the winners with a few words of encouragement for the next level of competition.
“Never let your last win effect your next performance,” said Sgt. Maj. Stringfield. “That type of attitude is what it takes to be the best, always striving to be, and do better than your last competition. We know we have chosen the best to represent Region III in the national competition and I look forward to seeing them win.”
Spc. Broam and Staff Sgt. Ugarte will represent region III at the National Guard’s Best Warrior Competition June 21-23 at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts.
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2016 09:57 |
| Story ID: | 196742 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 138 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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