Tulsa native takes junior-enlisted title of Oklahoma Army National Guard Best Warrior 2019
Story by: Jessica Todd
145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Camp Gruber, Okla. – Spc. Samuel Alvarez, a Tulsa native from Alpha Company, 777 Aviation Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard, won the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 2018 Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, Oct. 6, 2019.
After competing in over 10 scored events, Alvarez took home the title of junior-enlisted Oklahoma Army National Guard Best Warrior. The events were the Army Physical Fitness Test, weapons handling and marksmanship, day and night land navigation, an obstacle course, Army Warrior Tasks and Drills, an Army board, and they finished off with a 12-mile timed ruck march while carrying a 35-pound pack.
"The most important thing I got out of the competition was discovering my weaknesses," said Alvarez. "I know what I need to gain more information in for the next competition now."
Alvarez will advance to the regional Best Warrior Competition later this year. Winners of the regional competition will then move onto the nationwide Best Warrior Competition in 2020.
Alvarez also was named "Soldier of the Year" and won an Army Commendation Medal for his efforts throughout the competition.