Kammerman, Bennett are Idaho Army National Guard’s NCO, Soldier of the Year

Photo By Staff Sgt. Mason Cutrer | An Idaho Army National Guard Soldier conducts land navigation Sept. 7, 2018, at the Orchard Combat Training Center during the organization's Best Warrior Competition. During the event, competitors were tested on numerous Army Warrior Tasks, including their ability to disassemble and reassemble multiple weapons; land navigation at day and night; ruck marching; shooting; combatives; first aid and more.  

BOISE, ID, UNITED STATES

09.21.2018

Story by Capt. Robert Taylor 

Idaho Army National Guard

After three days of intense competition, Sgt. Trenten Kammerman and Spc. Peter Bennett emerged as the Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year at the Idaho Army National Guard’s Best Warrior Competition. Kammerman and Bennett both serve in the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team’s 1-148th Field Artillery Regiment.

Throughout the competition, five NCOs and nine Soldiers from across the state competed in the event held at Gowen Field and the Orchard Combat Training Center Sep. 6-8.

“These Soldiers show that the Warrior spirt is alive and well in the Idaho Army National Guard,” Brig. Gen. Michael Garshak said. “These Soldiers are an inspiration and show the best we have to offer.”

Competitors were tested on numerous Army Warrior Tasks, including their ability to disassemble and reassemble multiple weapons; land navigation at day and night; ruck marching; shooting; combatives; first aid and more. Competitors were stressed physically with little sleep to push them to their limits.

Sgt. First Class Aaron Bray, Sgt. Roy Barrera, SGT Brandin Colglazier, Kammerman and Sgt. Jacob Hauck competed in the NCO category. Colglazier, 145th Brigade Support Battalion, finished second.

Spc. Joseph Bailey, Bennett, Pvt. Jesse Dunn, Spc. Joshua Green, Spc. Chris Heerring, Spc. Mark Jensen, Spc. Michael Nau, Pvt. First Class Cody Pond, and Spc. William Swope competed in the Soldier category. Green, 1-148th Field Artillery Regiment, was the category’s runner up.

“Competing in the Best Warrior Competition has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my military career,” Bennett said. “I’ve met and grown close to some amazing Soldiers whom I’m proud to call my family. For me it has never been about winning. My unit picked me to represent them so I gave it my best and hoped I wouldn’t disappoint them. To win this year was an honor and I’ll do my best at regionals.”

Kammerman and Bennett will represent Idaho at the Regional Best Warrior Competition in May at Camp Grafton, North Dakota.

• Date Taken: 09.21.2018
• Date Posted: 09.21.2018 15:59
• Story ID: 293986
• Location: BOISE, ID, US