WARRENTON, Ore. - Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard endured ever-changing coastal weather to determine the best soldier and non-commissioned officer in the state during the Best Warrior Competition, part of the Oregon National Guard Warrior Challenge at Camp Rilea, Ore., May 21-23.
Soldiers competing in the Best Warrior Competition, a competition that determines the soldier and non-commissioned officer of the year, fought through cold temperatures and heavy wind and rain, while pushing themselves through a physical fitness test, a rigorous obstacle course, a timed battle march, a night land navigation course, urban operation training and a hand-to-hand combative challenge.
The participants also competed in a stress shoot scenario. The stress shoot sent soldiers on a six-mile run with combat gear, then they were directed to fire their weapons at a timed designated target 10 to 25 meters away, while physically and mentally exhausted.
"The competition is strenuous and physically tasking," said Sgt. Robert Krause, a team leader from Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard. "But that is the best part, this tests not only your physical ability but your ability to react mentally once you are physically drained."
Soldiers qualified for this competition through their home unit by completing a review process that included an Army Physical Fitness Test test, a weapons qualification and a military review board. The top soldier and non-commissioned officer were chosen at their units to compete in the next level, each time involving more competitions requiring more studying and training.
"It is an honor if you are picked for this event," said Command Sgt. Maj. William Wyllie, the top non-commissioned officer in charge of 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard, about the Best Warrior Challenge. "I am proud to have them here, and I think [my soldiers] are going to do well."
Soldiers train for the Best Warrior Competition by completing an intense running routine to increase their physical endurance and a series of mental and recollection exercises to help with military review boards, navigation and events where the soldiers will need to make quick decisions.
During two events, the soldiers mental limits were tested, first was the military review board where the soldiers were critiqued by a panel of three high-level non-commissioned officers including the State Command Sgt. Major Brunk Conley. Soldiers started the board with a dress uniform inspection and were asked a series of questions about infantry tasks, leadership skills and the responsibility of leaders. The soldiers were also interviewed about their military service, including what they have accomplished while in the Oregon National Guard, what they plan to accomplish in the near future and why they joined the organization.
The other mental and physical challenging event was the night land navigation course forced soldiers to rely on their gut instinct and intuition to find their points along a designated course and avoid being lost in the dark, coastal wilderness. Each soldier randomly selected a set of four points, and had four hours to plot those points and negotiate the course in the dark.
"This years competitors are more competitive and there is a higher level of physical fitness this year compared to last year," said Sgt. Donald Snyder, a recruiter with the Oregon Army National Guard and 2009 Soldier of the Year. "They are all competent and professional NCO's and soldiers."
The event ended with a banquet Sunday afternoon. The banquet honored the four events making up the warrior challenge, including The Adjutant Generals Match, a shooting event, the Recruit Sustainment Program squad challenge and the combative competition.
During the banquet the winners of all competitions were announced. The winner and runner up of the Soldier of the year portion of the competition was Sgt. Jared Berkham of 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment and Spc. Eric McVay of 1st Battalion, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, respectively.
The winner and runner up of the non-commissioned officer of the year portion of the competition was Sgt. Robert Krause of 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and Sgt. Joshua Morris of 3670th Maintenance Company.
"I think for anyone coming out of this event, it should be a very rewarding experience no matter what the outcome is," said Staff Sgt. Jason Genzer, Mentor for Sgt. Krause and of the same unit. "Everybody here, based on their body language, is giving it their all, it is great to see they are putting out all the effort they can and that has been a very rewarding thing to see."
| Date Taken: |
05.24.2010 |
| Date Posted: |
05.24.2010 02:44 |
| Story ID: |
50141 |
| Location: |
CAMP RILEA, OREGON, US |
| Web Views: |
516 |
| Downloads: |
337 |
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This work, Oregon National Guard soldiers fight it out at Camp Rilea for yearly recognition, by SPC Kirby Rider, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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