Photo By Pfc. Trey Woodard | U.S. Army 1st Lt. Justin Baucom, assigned to 3rd Infantry Division, fires a Musket for...... read more read more
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FORT BENNING, Ga. – Rangers from the 3rd Infantry Division (3rd ID) pushed themselves to the limit as they competed in the annual 2025 Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, Georgia. This challenging three-day event, held from April 11-14, aims to find the toughest and most skilled Rangers in the Army by testing their endurance, skills, and mental strength.
“I think competitions like this are the closest we can get to a simulated combat environment in peacetime,” said 1st Lt. Justin Baucom, an Infantry Officer, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, 3rd ID. “It provides such an awesome opportunity to get this experience. Where you’re testing yourself, to the absolute limit with little food, sleep, and a lot of physical endurance challenges.”
The first Best Ranger Competition started in 1982. It aimed to discover the best two-person team in the Army. This year, over 60 teams from across the United States Army participated in this year’s competition. The competitors faced difficult tasks like long ruck marches, obstacle courses, shooting drills, and events that mimic real combat situations.
“Being a Ranger to me is living by the Ranger Creed. I want to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other soldier that appears net to me,” said Baucom. “That applies to the physical stamina, daily mentality, and your attitude towards work every day to where you come into the office with a positive outlook, knowing you will give your best and then some.”
The competition started with an early morning 7-mile run followed by a run-swim-run event that then immediately led to a series of intense endurance challenges. Each event of the competition required complete focus and effort. Throughout the competition, 3rd ID Rangers displayed impressive skill and resilience, tackling each obstacle with precision and grit - truly embracing what it means to be a dogface Soldier.
“The characteristics that you see just across the field was a no-quit mentality,” said Staff Sgt. Brent Grafmuller, a military policeman, assigned to Division Headquarters, 3rd ID. “No matter how much you felt down or hurt you always just have to brush it off and continue the fight.”
3rd ID’s participation in the Best Ranger Competition shows the unit’s high training standards and dedication to mission readiness. Regardless of the final rankings, these Rangers have shown they rank among the best in the Army, earning the respect and admiration from peers and leaders alike.
“You have to embrace the pain,” said Grafmuller. “That pain is not going to be there forever. I often look back on my career and tell myself that I got through challenges which means I can get through this, so I keep pushing myself to the finish line.”
With another year of competition concluded, the Rangers of the 3rd Infantry Division return with invaluable experience and a strengthened commitment to excellence. Their performance at the Best Ranger Competition serves as a testament to their resilience, skill, and the unwavering spirit of being a dogface Soldier.
“Being a Dogface Soldier is absolutely that. It’s when it's going to get tough and you have to reach deep down inside,” said Baucom. “You have to push yourself forward and take the extra step to never give up.”
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2025 14:20 |
| Story ID: | 495277 |
| Location: | FORT MOORE, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 313 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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