BAUMHOLDER, Germany – Soldiers from the 16th Sustainment Brigade and the Slovenian Armed Forces Logistics Brigade competed in a Best Warrior Competition, April 23-28 at Smith Barracks.
The competition tested the aptitudes of nine Soldiers in events to determine the group's top Soldier, NCO, and officer of 2017 and was the third test between the two nations.
Three years ago the Americans sent a squad to Slovenia for the competition, and the last two years have seen three Slovenians travel about 10 hours to Baumholder to compete. A friendly rivalry has formed.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our young warriors from both the officer and enlisted sides of the house to compete at a higher level and display their skills as Soldiers,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Graham, the brigade’s Senior Enlisted Advisor. “The brigade’s best junior leaders tested our increased interoperability with the best of the Slovenian warfighters, which ultimately helps to build the alliance.”
During the six-day contest, Soldiers competed in events such as a physical fitness test, a combatives tournament, an M-4 rifle range, an oral board, a 20-kilometer ruck march, and a land navigation course.
“The Slovenians focused in on the combatives training and it's obvious they want to learn,” said Sgt. 1st Class Sallie Grimm, the brigade’s S-3 Operations NCO who organized the competition. “Combatives is a great kind of training to build camaraderie because the Soldiers are really up close and personal. You can go out on a range and shoot together, but rolling around on a mat with each other is probably the fastest way to get to know our allies from other countries.”
The Slovenian's fitness came as somewhat of a surprise to the Americans as the Eastern Europeans placed near the top in both the fitness test and road march.
“Best Warrior is great because we can compare our training with the Americans,” said 1st Lt. Matej Perger, a platoon leader with the Slovenian Armed Forces Logistics Brigade. “Of course we enjoy getting to know each other and making friends also.”
Two of the three Slovenian's spoke almost fluent English and the third spoke it conversationally, so the one challenge that remained was conveying U.S. Army standards to the visitors, who likewise contributed by explaining their norms.
“We like to share our experience and knowledge,” said Capt. Primoz Savinsek of the Slovenian Armed Forces Logistics Brigade, one of two escorts for the Slovenians. “On the other hand, the Americans have events that we don't have. For example, we don't have a combatives program or anything like an NCO board so it was interesting for our soldiers to see how that's done.”
The competition was about working together, not about trying to win, although of course every entrant wanted to come out on top.
“The Slovenians are bringing out the competitive spirit in our Soldiers,” said Grimm. “Everyone wants bragging rights.”
The two units continued to build the Alliance by demonstrating skills that they could someday use on the battlefield.
“We’re talking about two similar brigades from allied countries in the same theater,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Franjo Cesar, the Slovenian’s other sponsor. “We could easily end up somewhere together under different circumstances so it's important to know your peer's capabilities and even more importantly, this competition allows us to know each other personally.”
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2017 06:18 |
| Story ID: | 236815 |
| Location: | RP, DE |
| Web Views: | 38 |
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This work, U.S. Soldiers, Slovenian counterparts compete for Best Warrior, by SFC Michael O'Brien, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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