Coalgate, Oklahoma, Native takes title of Oklahoma Army National Guard Best Warrior 2019

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jordan Sivayavirojna | Oklahoma Army National Guard Sgt. Jared Griffin, Charlie Company, 1-279 Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, from Coalgate, Oklahoma, was awarded the title of the 2019 Oklahoma Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition in the noncommissioned officer category, held at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, October 6, 2019. Sgt. Griffin won “NCO of the Year” and was given an Army Commendation Medal for the endurance he showed throughout the competition. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jordan Sivayavirojna)  

CAMP GRUBER, OK, UNITED STATES

10.08.2019

Story by Spc. Jessica Todd 

145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

Coalgate, Oklahoma, Native takes title of Oklahoma Army National Guard Best Warrior 2019
Story by: Spc. Jessica Todd
145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Camp Gruber, Okla. – Coalgate, Oklahoma, native, Sgt. Jared Griffin, with Charlie Company, 1-279 Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, won the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 2019 Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, Oct. 6, 2019.

The three-day event assessed each competitor’s abilities through events such as 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 finished with a 12-mile timed ruck march while carrying a 35-pound pack.

Griffin was hand-selected by his unit to compete in the battalion level competition. Griffin said he earned the title of the 2019 Oklahoma National Guard Noncommissioned Officer of the Year through his hard work and mental agility throughout the events. He also was awarded the title of “NCO of the Year” and received the Army Commendation Medal for his win.

“This competition was tough--a smoker for sure,” Griffin said. “I enjoyed it a lot and look forward to the regional competition.”

Griffin will advance to the regional Best Warrior Competition later this year. Winners of the regional competition will then move onto the nationwide Best Warrior Competition in 2020.

Alongside working for the Oklahoma Army National Guard out of Broken Arrow, Griffin is also a firefighter for Coalgate, Oklahoma.

• Date Taken: 10.08.2019
• Date Posted: 10.08.2019 15:34
• Story ID: 346579
• Location: CAMP GRUBER, OK, US
• Hometown: COALGATE, OK, US