Photo By Kurt Rauschenberg | Spc. Hunter Olson stands with his mentor at the 2019 Region II Best Warrior...... read more read more
KINGWOOD, W. Va., — Spc. Hunter J. Olson, 1st Battalion of the 175th Infantry Regiment, earned the title of Soldier of the Year in the U.S. Army National Guard Region II Best Warrior Competition, hosted by the W. Va. National Guard, May 16–19.
When Olson arrived to Camp Dawson to compete alongside 11 other best warriors from four other states and the District of Columbia, he was both nervous and anxious, but prepared to take on the ruthless tasks he was about to endure with grit and greatness.
“I think this competition pushes everyone harder to be the best and that’s why everyone here is a best warrior,” said Olson.
Olson began his four-day competition journey with a written exam and essay before quickly transitioning to the Army Combat Fitness Test in the pouring rain. Immediately after, he moved on to an obstacle course, nine-mile ruck march with a 35-pound load, engaging targets with an M320 grenade launcher and day-to-night land navigation.
Olson then assembled a series of weapons, executed a range run involving a chemical attack, calling in a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for a medical evacuation while assessing a casualty. He then fired an M4 carbine rifle, AT4 rocket launcher, M9 pistol, shotgun, and M5 modular crowd control munition under extreme stress. Then, Olson performed a 100 meter water survival swim.
Finally, on the last day of the competition, he went before a panel of senior enlisted leaders from each of the competing states and territory to test his knowledge and competency in Army doctrine and leadership.
In the end, Olson wasn’t just named Soldier of the Year within the Region, but he also received an Army Achievement Medal for the highest score in shooting proficiency.
“The toughest part of the competition was land navigation,” Olson said. “It was after the ACFT, ruck march, and the steep hills and deep draws were unavoidable.”
Olson expressed the honor in having an opportunity to compete against such well-rounded, strong, sharp individuals.
“I certainly would love to train with them again in the future as they are a wealth of knowledge, said Olson.”
Olson’s parents and sisters joined him for the ceremony as he was named Best Warrior. After, they drove him straight to Lake Michigan to marry his fiancée, Alexandra Flanagan, head coach for Archbishop Spalding High School dance team, who watched the ceremony live stream.
Olson’s mother, Laura, said she wasn’t surprised he won.
“He’s always been an overachiever, but still humble,” Olson’s mother said. “He’s always been a best warrior in my book.”
Olson, an Easton, Maryland resident serving in the MD Guard since 2013 as an infantryman, has trained with the 20th Special Forces Group for three months now and will attend special forces assessment and selection within the year.
Competing with Olson from the MD Guard was Staff Sgt. Cassandra Black, the first female non-commissioned officer to advance from the state competition as Best Warrior.
Command Sgt. Maj. Aarion Franklin, 70th Regiment sergeant major, reflected on the way Olson and Black both inspired other competitors throughout the four days.
“What was most impressive to me was during the ACFT one runner was struggling and, even knowing what they had coming-up, they got out there and ran with her for the last half mile to follow her on the finish,” Franklin said. “I think that speaks volumes about who they are as a soldier and person and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
The 2019 Region II Best Warrior Competition included a best NCO and Soldier from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, District of Columbia, and West Virginia. This is the second year in a row the MD Guard has earned a spot to compete against the best in the nation.
Watch a video highlighting the 2019 competition at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL8aTiIc0a4.
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2019 15:33 |
| Story ID: | 323298 |
| Location: | KINGWOOD, WEST VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 592 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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