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WARRENTON, Oregon – Sixteen competitors, from Oregon National Guard units across the state, battled it out to determine the top noncommissioned officer (NCO) and junior enlisted Soldier/Airman of the year during the 2018 Oregon Best Warrior Competition, August 16-18, 2018, at Camp Rilea in Warrenton, Oregon.
The annual Army National Guard competition is designed to demonstrate Soldiers’ technical and tactical proficiency. However, Oregon set a new precedence this year by making it a joint endeavor and invited the Oregon Air National Guard to participate. The competitors had to out-perform their peers at the unit level to participate in the state-level competition.
Tech. Sgt. Jared Boyer and Senior Airman David Garcia, both with the 173rd Fighter Wing, were the first Airmen to compete in the Oregon Best Warrior Competition (BWC). The 173rd Security Forces Squadron put on a series of trial events to determine who had what it takes to represent the Air Guard in the Army competition.
“I wanted to compete in the Oregon BWC to represent my unit and challenge myself,” said Garcia. He said the excitement of finishing as an Airman motivated him throughout the competition.
Boyer said his goal was to be a positive, respectful competitor and remained mindful of the people who helped make his participation in the competition a reality.
“I tried hard to realize how lucky I was to be involved in such an event and surrounded by like-minded, fun participants,” said Boyer. “I kept trying to remember that I am at someone else’s home and competition. It is the Army’s world they are offering us to sample.”
The competitors put their mental and physical strengths to the test, conquering a series of challenging warrior tasks with very little rest throughout the grueling three-day contest.
“We were always stressed in some way, whether it be in terms of time, exhaustion from previous events, or lack of sleep,” said Spc. Roger Spain, with Company D, 741st Brigade Engineer Battalion, who earned the title of Soldier of the Year. “It takes a special kind of Soldier and person to volunteer for something like this.”
The event kicked off Thursday evening, August 16, with the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Immediately following the fitness test, the competitors were surprised to learn they had to complete an additional foot race.
“The simple lack of not having a schedule of events is stressful,” said Spain. “Being told what we are doing only just before an event begins almost completely eliminates preparation. It forced us to assume the worst and pack accordingly.”
Boyer agreed saying the “chess match of unknowns” made the competition more challenging.
After being tested physically, the competitors changed into dress uniforms and reported to a formal board where a joint-service panel of sergeants major and chief master sergeants tested their military knowledge.
“The board interview is where I struggled the most,” said Sgt. Paul Mannelly, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, who took home the title of NCO of the Year. “The types of questions asked during the interview cover a vast amount of military knowledge. The board truly tests your military presence, bearing and competence.”
The next day of competition began in the dark hours of the early morning with land navigation courses. They moved on to marksmanship challenges with M4 rifles and a timed stress-shoot event with M9 pistols.
“The night navigation caught me by surprise since I only knew my point-to-point line of sight,” said Boyer.
By mid-afternoon on Friday, the competitors were already looking tired but the competition was still in full swing. They were marched to the obstacle course where they had to overcome heights, climb, jump and crawl through various different obstacles. Sand grated their skin underneath filthy uniforms but there was no time to shower as the day dragged on with more tests that went on into the evening.
“I kept pushing and stayed motivated because of the guys in my home unit. I knew I needed to perform well for them,” said Mannelly. “I was not only competing for myself, but also my section, platoon, and company. I wanted the guys I work with to be proud and see all our hard work pay off.”
The third day began at zero-dark-thirty with a long stroll down the beach in full battle gear for the timed, unknown-distance ruck march. Glow sticks and flashing lights guided the way through the fog and terrain as cadre and medics cheered on the competitors along the route.
“We had no idea if it was going to be five miles or 20, so it was difficult to judge how hard to push,” said Spain. “I thought there were a few Soldiers in my category that ran ahead in the beginning, so the whole time I was trying to catch them. As it turned out, I was chasing my imagination and I finished in the lead. My disbelief turned into laughter when I realized what had happened.”
There was little time to rest aching muscles or nurse blistered feet, as the day would bring a full array of even more tribulations. Competitors crawled through a maze of concertina wire while enduring CS tear gas during the combat assault course known as “Mogadishu.” The gas causes a choking cough and burning eyes, making it difficult to breathe and see where you are going.
Garcia said the gas was the most difficult part of the competition to push through, but when the going gets tough, the tough get going, “I’m really sensitive to CS gas, but the best way to get out of there is to hurry-up and finish.”
Before they had a chance to catch their breath, the competitors had to race through a village filled with smoke, noise and other distractions to locate and treat simulated casualties. They engaged targets in the live-fire shoot-house and then took aim at targets with practice grenades.
“The culminating event tested you physically and mentally. Shoot, move and communicate; the basis of all military operations,” said Mannelly. “Everyone was beyond exhausted by that time and we had to push ourselves even further.”
During the last event, known as “Omaha Beach,” competitors high-crawled through the waves of the Pacific Ocean while wearing full battle gear. Once on shore, with drenched uniforms dripping and sagging, they retrieved ammunition boxes filled with cement and carried them to the top of a steep sand dune. Their boots sunk in the soft sand as they slowly dug each step into the hill before racing back down to the finish line.
“The water was cold, the ammo cans were heavy, the sand was deep, but it was a lot of fun,” said Mannelly.
When it was all over, the competitors were relieved, yet proud to count themselves among the rare chosen few who have completed the competition. Mannelly and Spain will go on to represent Oregon in the Region VI Best Warrior Competition and compete with Soldiers from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. The winners from the regional competition will then progress on to the national level competition.
As for the Airmen who completed the competition, they said will take away Army tasks and skills that they learned as well as a newfound respect for the Soldier lifestyle. Boyer said he appreciated the opportunity to learn how to adapt in an Army-centric competition.
“My number one goal was to have our Army brothers and sisters glad we came and hoping they can see us compete the following year,” said Boyer. “To get to hear their stories and diverse backgrounds was inspiring. I hope this leads to more possibilities and joint collaborations.”
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 10.09.2018 15:05 |
| Story ID: | 295802 |
| Location: | WARRENTON, OR, US |
| Web Views: | 112 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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