Photo By Staff Sgt. Sean Martin | U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston. Jr., Adjutant General for South Carolina,...... read more read more
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EASTOVER, SOUTH CAROLINA. – South Carolina National Guard units from across the state sent their best Soldiers and Airmen to compete in the annual Best Warrior Competition (BWC) at McCrady Training Center, Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 2017.
“I’m very proud of you warriors, so let’s get to the point,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Russell Vickery, State Command Sergeant Major for the SCNG, before announcing the winners.
Sgt. Jacob Platts and Spc. Jackson Pride are the 2017 Best Warriors for South Carolina National Guard.
Junior enlisted and noncommissioned officers (NCO) demonstrated their tactical and technical skills developed while serving in the military. The BWC competition consisted of numerous events that tested the competitors’ knowledge and endurance. Competitors went through urban warfare situations, board interviews, physical fitness tests, written exams and warrior tasks and battle drills relevant to today's operational environment.
“It’s been a great, long weekend,” said Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr., Adjutant General for South Carolina. “Tremendous work. CSM, you have taken this event to the next level.”
To make the competition even more challenging, this year’s competitors were tested to earn the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency, consisting of a variety of events including a 1000-meter run, a 100-meter swim in uniform, a pistol qualification, and a ruck march. For an added challenge, also included for the first time this year was the Battle Challenge, which is a mobile obstacle course requiring participants to perform nine tasks under pressure of time.
Every event earned the competitor points and the winners would be named at the awards ceremony at the end. Event coordinators were keeping the tallies out of sight from the competitors so no one knew who was in the lead.
Livingston added, “What does it mean to our overall mission? When we look at what we swore to do, to protect against all enemies foreign and domestic, these Soldiers and Airmen performed tasks that displayed that they are physically and mentally ready. Based on seeing these activities from this competition, inviting our state and international first responders to take part in the Battle Challenge, we have worked alongside each other through tough demands.”
Platts is an infantry team leader in the 4th Battalion, 118th Combat Arms Battalion, 218th Infantry Brigade.
“It was a long four and a half days,” said Platts. “The warriors were great and I was honored to compete with the best in the state. Everyone got along and supported each other.”
Pride is a gunner in the 1th Battalion, 118th Combat Arms Battalion, 218th Infantry Brigade.
“I was honored to receive the award,” said Pride. “It was hard and all the competitors were outstanding. I want to thank everyone who helped me prepare.”
The winning Soldier and NCO will move on to compete in the regional Best Warrior Competition representing the SCNG.
The awards ceremony also included the Enlisted Hall of Fame ceremony inducting: Chief Master Sgt. Lawrence W. Crowson, Chief Master Sgt. William N. Cobb, Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Brickley, Command Sgt. Maj. Leon D. Gilliam and Sgt. 1st Class Charles E. Judge.
“Our services members have a joint interagency, international operation,” said Livingston. “We can take care of the people of South Carolina and the nation. Great job everyone.”
| Date Taken: | 02.01.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 02.02.2017 11:18 |
| Story ID: | 222284 |
| Location: | EASTOVER, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 372 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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