Philadelphia Native Competes in Mississippi National Guard Best Warrior Competition

CAMP MCCAIN, MS, UNITED STATES

03.02.2018

Story by 2nd Lt. Rachel Henson 

Joint Force Headquarters - Mississippi National Guard

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi National Guard hosted its annual Best Warrior Competition this week at the Camp McCain Training Center near Elliott, Mississippi.
Eleven Soldiers and Airmen who mastered a series of benchmarks to qualify for the statewide competition competed for the prestigious titles of Soldier of the Year and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.
One of those Air Force competitors is Philadelphia native Tech. Sgt. Thomas Rushing of the 186th Air Refueling Wing at Key Field in Meridian, Mississippi.
“Being able to hang out with the Army guys and do some Army training, and be part of this Best Warrior Competition, just overall, is a great experience and I really appreciate the opportunity to be here,” said Rushing.
Rushing serves in the security forces in the 186th ARW and as a fire fighter on the civilian side. He followed in the footsteps of his sister Chief Master Sgt. Lynn R. Cole, Command Chief Master Sgt. of the Mississippi Air National Guard, and joined the Air National Guard, continuing the tradition of service in his family.
Cole is proud of her brother and proud to have such a large Air Guard representation in this year’s competition.
“This is actually the second year the Air Force has been provided the opportunity to compete in the Best Warrior Competition,” said Cole. “Last year we started with two from the Combat Readiness Training Center down at the coast. This year we actually have four competitors – Air Force. This is an opportunity for us to do some joint activities together and build that cohesion to understand what the other side does a little
bit better.”
During the four-day competition, Rushing and the other 10 elite competitors tested their military aptitude by conquering urban warfare simulations, weapons qualifications, board interviews, physical fitness tests, written exams, and warrior tasks and battle drills.
The event concluded Thursday, March 1, 2018. The winners will be announced Saturday, March 3, 2018, at an awards banquet during the Mississippi National Guard’s annual Noncommissioned Officer’s conference at the Hilton in Jackson.
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• Date Taken: 03.02.2018
• Date Posted: 03.03.2018 10:40
• Story ID: 267992
• Location: CAMP MCCAIN, MS, US
• Hometown: MERIDIAN, MS, US
• Hometown: PHILADELPHIA, MS, US