Guardsmen Compete for State's Best

Photo By Sgt. Evan Myers | Maj. Gen. Courtney P. Carr, the Adjutant General of Indiana, presents Sgt. Zachary Green, from Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 519th Combat Sustainment and Support Battalion, the top award for the 2017 Best Warrior Competition in Indiana at Camp Atterbury March 5. Green competed against seven other non-commissioned officers for this honor and will move on to the Regional competition in May. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Evan Myers.)  

IN, UNITED STATES

03.05.2017

Courtesy Story

120th Public Affairs Detachment

     The winners of this competition, Cpl. Jacob Ricks with the 215th Area Support Medical Company, and Sgt. Zachary Green with Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 519th Combat Sustainment and Support Battalion, are slated to move on to the regional level competition that is scheduled for this May at Camp Dodge, Iowa.
     "During the PT [physical training] test, it was freezing outside, and I didn't have my sponsor with me, so that was a challenge," said Ricks. "My sponsor competed last year, so he was able to give me moral and mental support. He marched the whole ten miles with me on the final ruck. Without him it would have been rough," said Ricks.
     However, soldiers also endured tests of their military knowledge. 
     "The physical stuff I can push myself through, but the final board was really stressful. I'm going to do a lot of studying and memorizing to make sure I'm mentally prepared for the next competition,” said Green.
     One of the younger competitors, Spc. Levi Stull from A Company 1-151, has only been in the National Guard for two years. Stull is currently attending Indiana University, seeking his degree in business management.
     "I feel good about the physical parts, and I'm doing my best on the written," said Stull. 
     Sgt. 1st Class Scott Sturgeon, A Company 1-151, sponsored Stull. Sturgeon said he had confidence in his young soldier and was proud of how he progressed.    
     Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Bennett with the 19th CBERN Enhanced Response Force Package, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the BWC, observed each event and enjoyed watching all the soldiers complete the competition.
     "I love to see young soldiers compete, to see them put the skills they learned to the test," said Bennett.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2017
• Date Posted: 03.05.2017 19:29
• Story ID: 225750
• Location: IN, US