Photo By Spc. Jessica Todd | Oklahoma Army National Guard Spc. Brent Jones, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 279th...... read more read more
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CAMP GRUBER, Okla. – Citizen Soldiers from across the state of Oklahoma fought to win the title of 2019 Oklahoma Army National Guard Best Warrior over the three-day event held at Camp Gruber Training Center on Oct. 4 - 6.
The event determines the top noncommissioned officer (NCO) and junior enlisted Citizen Soldier the state has to offer. Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Moody, NCO in charge of the competition, challenged Soldiers to utilize Army skills and tactics, as well as their own personal experience to overcome difficult challenges.
“The Soldiers came highly motivated, ready to execute and compete, and they did an outstanding job over the course of the three-day competition,” said Moody.
There were 13 junior-enlisted Soldiers and 11 NCOs which had been hand-chosen at the battalion level. The competitors battled to come out on top of the pack for the chance to represent their unit in the regional competition and the entire Oklahoma Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition.
The competitor’s liaison Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Bulera, from Headquarters Company, 189th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) spoke highly of the team-spirit she saw among them.
“I think that it’s neat they are willing to help each other out even though it’s a competition,” Bulera said. “Even though it might even hurt them to help a competitor, I think that kind of camaraderie is good to see.”
Most competitors echoed Bulera’s sentiment of the camaraderie they saw among the group.
“The other competitors have been stiff competition, but definitely respectful and helpful,” said Pfc. Quianna White, Headquarters Battery, 45th Field Artillery Brigade. “The NCOs we have been competing with are really helpful. Overall, it has been a really awesome experience, though, very difficult.”
Through various events that tested physical endurance and military knowledge, the competitors exhibited what the best of the Oklahoma Army National Guard looks like. The events included the Army Physical Fitness Test, weapons handling and marksmanship, day and night land navigation, an obstacle course, Army Warrior Tasks and Drills, an Army doctrine board, and finishing with a 12-mile timed ruck march while carrying a 35-pound pack.
The ruck march on Sunday morning ended prior to the consistent drizzle, which eventually drenched the paths they had all crossed. Finally, as the rain subsided, the victors were announced.
This year’s winners were Spc. Samuel Alvarez with Alpha Company, 777th Aviation Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Sgt. Jared Griffin, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, from Coalgate, Oklahoma.
Alvarez takes the “Soldier of the Year” title and Griffin “NCO of the Year,” and both received the Army Commendation Medal for their win.
These two Soldiers will advance to the Region Five Best Warrior Competition in May, and if successful, will compete in the nationwide event held in the summer of 2020.
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| Date Taken: | 10.07.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 10.09.2019 12:04 |
| Story ID: | 346395 |
| Location: | CAMP GRUBER, OK, US |
| Hometown: | COALGATE, OK, US |
| Hometown: | TULSA, OK, US |
| Web Views: | 107 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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