Lost in the Woods MCBWC Searches for the Best Warrior

Photo By Pvt. Hunter Eastman | Sergeant Aaron Chavers, 198th Army Band, 99th Readiness Division, participates in the land navigation event for the 2018 Major Command-level Best Warrior Competition, at Devens Reserve Forces Training Area in Massachusetts, April 17, 2018. Land navigation is a basic Soldier skill, that all Soldiers need to be proficient in, so they can make their way through austere environments. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Pvt. Hunter E. Eastman) (Photo edited for effect.)  

DEVENS, MA, UNITED STATES

04.17.2018

Story by Pvt. Hunter Eastman 

362nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

DEVENS RESERVE FORCES TRAINING AREA, Mass. -- Soldiers tested their physical strength and land navigation skills during the Major Command-level Best Warrior Competition (MCBWC), here, on April 17, 2018.
Today was a big day for competitors because physical fitness and land navigation are vital Soldier skills that enhance unit readiness and keep Army Reserve Soldiers at the forefront of operations around the globe. These particular events also provided the competitors a chance to separate themselves from their opponents.
Early this morning, Soldiers pushed themselves in the Army Physical Fitness Test, an assessment that involves a series of exercises including pushups, sit ups and a two-mile run to measure muscle strength and endurance, ensuring Soldier’s readiness for the operational environment.
Sergeant Thomas Crump, of the 327th Chemical Company, 76th Operational Response Command, traveled from Tennessee to compete in the MCBWC to experience these challenges first-hand, so he can better train his Soldiers to be ready for anything that comes their way.
“Having these events are very important, especially to motivated Soldiers,” said Crump. “This provides an outlet for Soldiers to represent what their units stand for.”
After the APFT, Soldiers demonstrated warrior skills involving map reading, radio communication and proper evaluation of a casualty.
Building off the day's events, Soldiers continued on to the land navigation event where they made their way through the wooded course during both day and night iterations. This task tested the Soldiers abilities as adept navigators and fine-tune their Soldier skills for use in changing combat situations.
Specialist Benjamin Retz, of the 389th Engineering Battalion, 416th Theater Engineer Command, reflected on earlier tasks in the competition, and was excited for the upcoming events like today's land navigation.
The MCBWC is far from over, as Soldiers still have to prove their abilities as marksmen on the M4 rifle and M9 pistol, finish a 12-mile ruck march and more "mystery" events, kept secret from the competitors.

• Date Taken: 04.17.2018
• Date Posted: 04.17.2018 21:39
• Story ID: 273451
• Location: DEVENS, MA, US