Photo By Sgt. LaShawna Custom | The 2019 Black Jack Warrior competitors pose on Stout track after completing the Army...... read more read more
Subscribe
32d AAMDC 2019 BLACK JACK WARRIOR COMPETITION:
The Search for the ‘Total Soldier’
FORT BLISS, Texas – The annual Black Jack Warrior Competition was conducted a little different than last year’s competition. With an emphasis on teamwork and critical thinking, fifteen competitors were evaluated from the time they arrived on Fort Bliss, Texas June 24, 2019 until the last day of the competition June 28, 2019.
“32d Army Air and Missile Defense Command wanted this year’s competition to be better than last year’s,” said Master Sgt. Martin Pelayo, 32d AAMDC command senior engineer and the non-commissioned officer (NCO) in charge for this year’s competition. “The only way to properly do so was to study the after action review notes, which were captured in great detail to build on that platform.”
The week-long competition identified and recognized individuals that encompass the total Soldier concept as a Soldier, NCO, career counselor, officer and warrant officer from 32d’s AAMDC Command’s four subordinate brigades and 32d AAMDC Headquarters and Headquarters Battery.
“This competition is about recognizing the best of the best,” said 32d AAMDC Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry E. Jacobitz. “There were 11 different events and every single one of these troopers excelled at them.”
The events consisted of the Army Physical Fitness Test and the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Participants successfully and safely conducted the ACFT Test that consisted of six events: Maximum Deadlift, Standing Power Throw, Hand-Release Pushups, Sprint-Drag-Carry, Leg Tuck and a Two-Mile Run.
“We were able to update certain events towards the current direction our Army is headed,” Pelayo added. “This is why we included the ACFT.”
These warriors also executed one of the most perishable skills the Army has to offer, land navigation. There were no worries for day and night land navigation because each Soldier carried a digital tracking system called Home Station Instrumentation Training System (HITS) to mitigate risks. This piece of equipment allowed cadre to track and quickly retrieve any Soldiers who might find themselves in trouble.
“The competitors gave it everything they had,” Pelayo continued. “That’s what we wanted. We wanted to create a competition that was both physically and mentally tough.”
Soldiers completed their individual tasks of marksmanship skills on the M9 pistol and M4 Carbine rifle at the qualification range as they fought to be the best Black Jack Warrior 19 competitor.
“Everyone did really well on qualifications,” Jacobitz expressed. “It was some of their first time on some of the weapon systems. This speaks volume on the amount of training we’re doing right now within this organization.”
Equipped with nonlethal training ammunition, teams went into Kamal Jabour Village to secure a high valued target and fought their way through opposing forces as they successfully executed tactical movements, radio communications, medical aid and MEDEVAC procedures. These warriors demonstrated extraordinary teamwork in a stressful environment.
“I was extremely proud of what every one of these Soldiers was able to accomplish,” said the senior advisor. “I didn’t hear anyone complain about the competition and it was challenging. What I did hear them say was, ‘I probably need to work on this more sergeant major, I’m not good at this event like I thought I would be.’”
At a temperature of 100 degrees, these warriors conducted a stress shoot in a stressful combat-like environment while demonstrating exemplary qualities.
Each competitor conducted a 200-meter sandbag carry, evaluated then evacuated a casualty 200 meters to an extraction point. After taking cover, competitors configured radios and reached out to the base operation as they called for a MEDEVAC. From there, these high-speed Soldiers disassembled and assembled a M4 carbine and .50 caliber weapon.
“We were very confident that each mission selected would bring out the best in the competitors,” Pelayo said sincerely. “Based off of this year’s competitor’s feedback, next year’s competition should raise the bar.”
Other events consisted of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense threats and dismounted improvised explosive device lanes. The competitors learned quickly that teamwork would result in success for the obstacles ahead. They learned to be resilient, think critically and adapt depending on the training.
“We took the scenarios to the next level by using real CS gas,” said the Black Jack orchestrator. “Some of the lanes focused on physically and technical stress which forced the competitors to be able to think and make decisions while under heavy physical stress.”
In the end, three Soldiers from 11th ADA BDE, Chief Warrant Officer Frank Konya, 2nd Lt. Daniel Kotnik and Sgt. Joselito Reyes, were identified as the best officers. Pfc. Julio Salaman, 69th ADA BDE., was the winner for the Soldiers. Staff Sgt. Kevin Mauney, 108th ADA BDE., was the competition’s top career counselor.
The winners of the NCO and Soldier category will go on to represent 32d AAMDC at the 2019 U.S. Army Forces Command Best Warrior Competition scheduled for the middle of August.
“I would like to personally thank all of the competitors for coming down here and representing the officers, NCO’s and Soldiers, anyone who played a part in making the Black Jack Warrior Competition happen and 32d AAMDC PAO for doing a great job telling the story and journey of each competitor,” Pelayo concluded.
As 32d AAMDC continues to prioritize modernization and testing in pursuit of Army integrated Air & Missile Defense, the unit is committed to remembering basic Soldiering skills and rewarding the “best of the best.”
(By Sgt. La’Shawna Custom, 32d AAMDC Public Affairs NCO)
| Date Taken: | 07.03.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2019 11:48 |
| Story ID: | 330239 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 78 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 32d AAMDC 2019 BLACK JACK WARRIOR COMPETITION: The Search for the ‘Total Soldier’, by SGT LaShawna Custom, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT