Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Siguenza | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kory Simmons of the California Army National Guard advances to a...... read more read more
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HAWTHORNE, Nev. — Sometimes, the eyes speak. It was evident when Staff Sgt. Kory Simmons and Spc. Andrew Burns, the California Army National Guard representatives in the 2019 Army National Guard Region 7 Best Warrior Competition, took their final, grueling steps in the 12-mile ruck march.
Simmons’ eyes told the story of exhaustion. He just hauled 35 pounds of gear through a Nevada hilltop, about 4,000 feet above sea level, drenched by a freezing, freakish rainstorm this late in May.
Burns’ pupils told the story of peace. Like Simmons and other competitors, he just completed three days of tough physical and mental challenges. BWC organizers saved the ruck march as the last test. But Day 1 began with an Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and in between there were tests of skills, accuracy, mentality and of course, more physical challenges.
“It’s clear,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Scott M. Witt, California Army National Guard command sergeant major. “It’s clear that they’ve been put through a lot. But that’s what Best Warrior is, finding the tough guys who can overcome those challenges.”
Burns and Simmons won CalGuard’s BWC in February. They earned the opportunity to compete against top Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Guam, Hawaii and host Nevada. It’s an opportunity CalGuard participates every year, and a chance to advance to the All-National Guard BWC later in the year.
Several BWC observers took special notice on CalGuard’s tandem. In the ACFT, Simmons made a statement, being one to backward-toss a 10-pound medicine ball more than 40 feet. That drew “wows” from several opponents. Simmons was first competitor to complete land navigation, running into the finish line in under two hours. (He was given four hours to find five spots.) And he garnered tremendous applause from visiting state command sergeants major and Nevada cadre when he finished the ruck march second overall.
“The biggest thing I got out of this is exposure,” said Simmons, a 95th Civil Support Team (CST) member. “A lot of the opportunities that I’ve been afforded here, I’m going to take back and apply them to my (Active Guard and Reserve) position.”
Burns, a 24-year old paralegal specialist and CalGuard newcomer, drew attention with his shooting and basic Soldiering skills.
“The experience and exposure to be able to do things that I wouldn’t normally do in my (Military Occupational Specialty),” said Burns, when asked what he got out of the BWC. “The use of equipment that I’ve never used before, such as the AT4 (rocket launcher), the opportunity to throw live hand grenades again. I’ve never done that since basic training.”
Every competitor was graded on their performances in the ACFT, M-16 rifle and M-4 pistol marksmanship, land navigation, physical fitness test, grenade accuracy, and a slew of other military tasks and basic battle drills. Following the ruck march, participants were transported to Nevada National Guard command headquarters in Carson City, where written tests and oral boards were held.
“Im extremely proud of our two California representatives. Staff Sgt Simmons and Spc. Burns took time out of their lives to dedicate themselves to training for the requirements and preparation for this very important event,” said Chief Master Sgt. Thomas L. James, California National Guard command senior enlisted leader. “It’s very, very impressive. Mentally, physically and emotionally. Both of our candidates really stepped up.”
When final scores were tabulated, Arizona’s Sgt. Kurt Van De Graaff took top honors in the noncommissioned officer category while Utah’s Spc. Brenden J. Allen earned the Best Soldier honor.
Guam will host Region 7 BWC next year. It will mark the first time the event will be held in the small Pacific island.
| Date Taken: | 05.26.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2019 17:56 |
| Story ID: | 324024 |
| Location: | SACRAMENTO, CA, US |
| Hometown: | LOS ANGELES, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 253 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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