Photo By Staff Sgt. Justin Stannard | Spc. Thomas Tulbert, assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group...... read more read more
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RALEIGH, N.C. – Soldiers assigned to the 60th Troop Command compete in the annual Brigade Best Warrior Competition at the Claude T. Bowers Military Center from Sept. 6-7, 2025.
Soldiers are nominated by their units for the opportunity to compete and represent the brigade and ultimately move to the state and regional levels. These Soldiers embody the esprits de corps within the brigade by being tested mentally and physically throughout the weekend.
Six Soldiers are divided into two categories: the Noncommissioned Officer and junior enlisted based on their rank. They are allowed a sponsor who can accompany them throughout the two days of events and provide support and mentorship.
Competitors are:
Staff Sgt. James Cahaylawynne, 42nd Civil Support Team
Sgt Mark Fisher, 42nd Civil Support Team
Sgt. Claudia DePouli, 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment
Spc. Michael Brock, 732nd Forward Support Company
Spc. Nathan Young, 732nd Forward Support Company
Spc. Thomas Tulbert, Company B, 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group
The competition begins with the Army Fitness Test when the Soldiers arrive and check in for the competition. This event is followed by a timed essay portion where competitors are tested on their ability to research and answer the prompt of what esprit de corps means to them.
“To me, taking pride in your unit and what you’re doing and being effective in your training,” said Spc. Nathan Young, 732nd Forward Support Company. “Whether or not you do these things every day, they’re important to know.”
The competitors lay out their gear to have it inspected per the required packing list. This task is to show the Soldiers they can follow even the minute tasks. While unpacking and their gear, they are tested on their weapons knowledge of the M4 carbine rifle and the proper safety checks and disassembling and reassembling it.
“As future officers we are expected to do everything we ask our soldiers to do,” said Sgt. Claudia DePouli, assigned to 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment also attending the University of North Carolina ROTC program. “The warrior tasks we get evaluated on prepare us for events like this and allows us to better understand the capabilities of those we will be leading.”
During the land navigation course at each plotted point Soldiers are graded on a warrior task to include medical readiness and knowledge, calling in a 9-line medical evacuation and response to a simulated chemical attack.
“I really like the training opportunities,” said Young. “I get to test my soldier skills more than I normally get to.”
The final two tasks come on the last day of the event, a ruck march and an appearance board. Competitors are timed and graded on completing a six-mile ruck march with a 35 pound-ruck sack. The ruck sack was weighed at the start and completion of the six miles.
“With only two days, it’s hard to pack in everything we want, but I appreciate the variety of tasks we have been evaluated on,” DePouli said. “It provides a fair look at who will be the most capable to win the overall competition.”
The final task for Soldiers competing is the appearance board. They present in front of three judges who inspect their uniforms and ask a series of questions to test their overall knowledge and ability to maintain military bearing.
With a close competition, the appearance board was the deciding factor for who will represent 60th Troop Command at the state level. With such a diverse group of units that 60th Troop Command is composed of, it will be well represented by Sgt. Claudia DePouli for the Non-Commissioned Officer category and Spc. Thomas Tolbert for the junior enlisted category.
| Date Taken: | 09.07.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2025 21:44 |
| Story ID: | 547445 |
| Location: | RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 11 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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