Photo By Spc. Mason Nichols | Soldiers assigned to the 10th Mountain Division pose for a group photo with Command...... read more read more
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FORT DRUM, New York (Apr. 20, 2026) – The XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition is a rigorous annual event that pushes Soldiers to their limits, testing both physical endurance and mental resilience. Throughout the competition, squads face a demanding series of challenges designed to evaluate their ability to operate effectively in realistic, high-pressure combat scenarios.
Competing units include the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), 3rd Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 16th Military Police BDE, and 20th CBRN Command.
Events include marksmanship, land navigation, E3B-based lanes, and physically taxing endurance courses, all designed to mirror the complexity and intensity of modern warfare. Every lane requires precision, discipline, and the ability to perform under stress.
“This is a competition that brings out the best in everybody,” stated Sgt. Montoia Jaesus, an infantryman assigned to 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI). “This will prove our physical capabilities and knowledge of Soldier tasks.”
Each squad, consisting of five Soldiers, must demonstrate not only individual excellence but also seamless cohesion as a team. Every member plays a critical role, and success depends on how effectively the squad communicates, adapts to rapidly changing conditions, and executes missions with confidence and precision.
Trust, accountability, and shared purpose become the difference between success and failure.
“Entering this competition, the plan was just to keep moving and keep pushing each other forward,” said Spc. Markeel Bass, an infantryman assigned to 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI). “Our main priority was to stick together as a squad, separating could have compromised our efficiency.”
**Ultimately, the competition is more than a test of skill, it is a proving ground. It challenges Soldiers to validate their readiness, strengthen their resilience, and reaffirm their commitment to excellence.**As squads push through each event, they compete not only for the top spot, but to uphold the standards that define effective teams across the Army. The experience gained reinforces the discipline, teamwork, and mental toughness required to succeed in the most demanding environments.
“The Best Squad Competition is pinpointing what I need to work on in order to reach my goals. Through each event, I’m learning something new,” said Bass. “The squad recognizes its weaknesses, and we’re going to use this experience to strengthen one another.”
With the competition coming to a close, Command Sgt. Maj. Brett Johnson, senior enlisted advisor for the 10th Mountain Division (LI), recognizes the Soldiers who took on this challenge and competed against the elite.
“To raise your hand and expose yourself to external evaluation, miles of pain and discomfort; it says a lot about you as a Soldier and your commitment to excellence, so thank you.”
The XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition concluded with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) taking first place, followed by the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and the 3rd Infantry Division rounding out the top three.
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2026 14:00 |
| Story ID: | 563536 |
| Location: | FORT DRUM, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, U.S. Army XVIII Best Squad Competition : Elite Soldiers Accept the Challenge, by SGT Alyssa Norton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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