Soldiers show mental, physical strength at Idaho National Guard’s Best Warrior Competition

Photo By Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur | The Idaho Army National Guard hosted its Best Warrior Competition on Sept. 14-17, 2023, at Gowen Field and at the Orchard Combat Training Center near Boise, Idaho. U.S. Army National Guard Soldier, Sgt. Matthew Musser, completes an 11-mile ruck with 40 lbs. of weight carried in a pack during the competition. Musser was selected as Soldier of the Year and will move on to compete in the Regional Best Warrior Competition in the spring of 2024 for the chance to move further to the national level of the Army National Guard’s Best Warrior Competition later next year. For four days, 15 Idaho National Guard Soldiers competed for the title of Best Warrior by participating in multiple intensified tests with little sleep and high stress that challenged candidates both physically and mentally while evaluating their ability to shoot, move, communicate and survive. (U.S. National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur)  

BOISE, ID, UNITED STATES

09.21.2023

Story by Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur 

Idaho Army National Guard

For four intense days, 15 Idaho National Guard Soldiers competed for the title of Best Warrior by participating in multiple challenging tests with little sleep, very high stress, and high physical and mental demands.

The Idaho Army National Guard hosted its Best Warrior Competition on Sept. 14-17 at Gowen Field and at the Orchard Combat Training Center near Boise, Idaho. Sgt. Matthew Musser was selected as NCO of the Year and Spc. Bryson Carter was selected as Soldier of the Year.

“The mental and physical fortitude these warriors exude is extremely impressive,” said Idaho National Guard’s senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Alice Mapes. “Whether they were the winners or not, just completing the competition reflects the character each one of these Soldiers possesses.”

The winners, Musser and Carter, will move on to compete in the Regional Best Warrior Competition in the spring of 2024 for the chance to move further to the national level of the Army National Guard’s Best Warrior Competition later next year.

Events included weapons familiarization testing and weapon qualifications; a complex event designed to see how well Soldiers can adapt and overcome challenges and think on their feet while under both mental and physical stress; uniform checks and testing; Tactical Combat Casualty Care; an 11-mile ruck with 40 lbs. of weight carried in a pack; a four-hour daytime land navigation test and a three-hour night land navigation test; an endurance event testing body strength followed by a timed three-mile run; and a cumulating event that challenged candidates both physically and mentally while evaluating their ability to shoot, move, communicate and survive.

Participants from the NCO category were Staff Sgt. Lauren Cox, Sgt. Jacob Davidson, Sgt. Lucas Fekete, Staff Sgt. Matthew Garcia-Newman, Sgt. Zacharis Hallett, Sgt. Philip Mohlke, Sgt. Matthew Musser and Sgt. Isaac Preston.

Participants from the Soldier category were Spc. Duncan Allen, Spc. Bryson Carter, Spc. Christopher Debartolo, Spc. Trevor Gunter, Private 1st Class Cooper Hayes, Spc. Braxton Mason and Private 1st Class Fabian Orozco.

“These Soldiers are some of our best and they have proved that over and over throughout this competition. Congratulations to each and every one of them for completing another mission,” Mapes said.

• Date Taken: 09.21.2023
• Date Posted: 09.21.2023 10:41
• Story ID: 453944
• Location: BOISE, ID, US