Oklahoma Guardsmen Compete to be the Best Warrior

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jordan Sivayavirojna | Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers come together for a group photo after the 2018 Oklahoma Best Warrior Competition at Camp Gruber Training Center near Braggs, Oklahoma, Nov. 11, 2018. This rigorous and physically demanding course challenges Soldiers from across the state in events such as physical fitness, land navigation, warrior tasks, essay writing and weapons qualification. The hand-picked participants start at the battalion level and then compete against other Soldiers from across the state for the chance to represent Oklahoma at the regional and national level. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Jordan Sivayavirojna)  

BRAGGS, OK, UNITED STATES

11.11.2018

Story by Staff Sgt. Jason Lay 

145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

BRAGGS, Okla. – Soldiers endured the gusting winds and below-freezing temperatures as they went head-to-head against one another in a grueling three-day event Friday through Sunday at Camp Gruber Training Center for the 2018 Best Warrior Competition to determine the top officer and noncommissioned officer (NCO) within the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

This rigorous and physically demanding course challenges Soldiers with warrior events that reflect the real-life stress, endurance, tactical skills, intellect and dedication needed to be an effective Army National Guardsman.

“This year we went to the battalion level to open up this competition to all those who are interested in competing, instead of relying on the major support command,” said Master Sgt. Mike Bray, NCO in charge of the competition.

This year’s competition brought 14 handpicked participants from the battalion level and put them against other Soldiers from across the state for the chance to represent their major subordinate command (MSC) and eventually the entire Oklahoma Army National Guard within the National Guard nationwide.

“By opening up the opportunity to every battalion, we are able to have a larger pool of competitors, which really inspires our competitors to perform at their best and along with friendly competition,” Bray said. “It also increases the espirit de corps amongst the competitors”.

The competition featured a total of 11 events that tested physical endurance, knowledge, weapons handling and marksmanship, day and night land navigation, call for indirect artillery fire, and a 12-mile timed ruck march at 4 a.m. while carrying a 50-pound pack.

“This competition is designed to assist us in determining who is the most qualified Soldier, not only physically but tactically, who can go on and compete in (the regional competition) as representatives of Oklahoma,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Moody, command sergeant major for the 271st Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Field Artillery Brigade, Oklahoma Army National Guard.

The chilly competitors found the competition to be challenging, yet rewarding. Of those is Pfc. Ethan Bavido, infantry mortar man with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 279 Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, who has been in the Guard for approximately one year.

“I have competed in many competitions in the past but, nothing like this,” said Bavido. “I was a little intimated standing in front of a panel of command sergeants major, but I feel like I did pretty well.”

Winners of this year’s competition are Spc. Josue Olguin with 3120th Support Company, 90th Troop Command, and Staff Sgt. Heath Richardson with Bravo Battery, 160th Field Artillery, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Olguin takes the “Soldier of the Year” title and Richardson “NCO of the Year”. Both received the Army Commendation Medal for their win.

These two Soldiers now advance to compete in the Region Five Best Warrior Competition, and if victorious there they will return to Camp Gruber Training Center to compete nationwide in Summer 2019.

• Date Taken: 11.11.2018
• Date Posted: 11.13.2018 16:47
• Story ID: 299560
• Location: BRAGGS, OK, US