Photo By Spc. Christian Wilson | State Command Sgt. Maj. Jasen Pask (far-left), Pfc. Adrian Neco, soldier of the year...... read more read more
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CAMP BLANDING, Fla. - Florida National Guardsmen participate in the 2023 state-level Best Warrior Competition at Camp Blanding, Florida, March 2-5, 2023.
Throughout this weekend, soldiers in the Florida Army National Guard participated in the annual state-level Best Warrior Competition. The course, designed to test a soldier’s proficiency in their duties, is composed of a timed obstacle course, an Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), a land navigation course, a simulated call for fire, a demonstration of warrior tasks, a simulated media engagement interview, a 12-mile ruck-march, qualifying at an M4 and M17 range and a review board in front of senior service members.
“It is my belief that every soldier should be afforded the opportunity to achieve excellence,” said Command Sgt. Maj. James Kendrick, the Senior Enlisted Leader of the Florida National Guard. Kendrick continues to say that this competition, held in the last three days, is an invaluable opportunity to achieve success. He emphasizes that the Best Warrior Competition improves individual soldier skills and team efficiency.
Several representatives working with Florida in the State Partnership Program were present to observe the Florida Army National Guard’s soldiers compete in the Best Warrior Competition. Throughout the competition, soldiers competing were able to demonstrate their professionalism and prowess to these representatives so they can take that knowledge back to their own countries and organizations.
“You know,” said Sgt. Joshua Kirby, a combat engineer with the 83rd Troop Command, and winner of the Best NCO (non-commissioned officer) Of The Year award from the Best Warrior Competition, “I love pushing and being pushed by people to do better. Participating in this competition with our partners from overseas was a very exciting and eye-opening experience.” Kirby, goes on to say that participating in the Best Warrior Competition makes you fall in love with being a soldier again. Kirby was also awarded by representatives of the State Partnership Program (SPP) with their very own “Best NCO Of The Year” award.
The winner of the Best Soldier Of The Year award was Pfc. Adrian Neco, a supply specialist with the 50th Regional Support Group. Neco expressed his excitement and motivation when winning the award, and was also issued a Best Soldier Of The Year award from representatives of the SPP.
The Best NCO Of The Year award, issued by Dominican Inspector of Police Timothy Lindon to Sgt. Joshua Kirby, was something Dominica decided to issue after being inspired while observing the 2023 Florida Army National Guard’s Best Warrior Competition. “We’re here to observe the Florida National Guard, so we can put together our own best warrior competition,” said Lindon. “Seeing the way the soldiers participated and worked until the end, it was difficult and it was inspiring, and we felt like we had to award them for that.”
The Best Warrior Competition is accessible to all soldiers in the Florida Army National Guard, and is an opportunity for junior and senior enlisted personnel to develop individual and team-based skills to take back to their unit.
“I’d say to other soldiers: do it - push yourself,” said Neco. “You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Go out there, try your best, and represent your unit.”
Soldiers in the Florida Army National Guard can participate in the Best Warrior Competition beginning at the unit level, and progress to represent not only their units, but their state, and region in the national-level competition. Communicate with your chain of command if you’re interested in participating.
| Date Taken: | 03.05.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.08.2023 11:41 |
| Story ID: | 439727 |
| Location: | CAMP BLANDING, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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