Photo By Sgt. Joshua Syberg | Army National Guard soldiers from seven states compete in the Region IV Best Warrior...... read more read more
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. – Army National Guard soldiers from seven states competed in the Region IV Best Warrior Competition at Camp Atterbury, May 13-16.
This three-day competition tested soldiers’ mental, physical and military skills.
“It’s about soldier’s mastering their craft and the effort they spend training and learning how to be a better soldier,” said 1st Sgt. Zach Baker, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the weapons qualification ranges during the competition.
The competition included the Army Physical Fitness Test, weapons qualification, land navigation, the confidence course, a 12-mile road march, a written exam, an appearance board, and a mystery event. Soldiers had no knowledge of the mystery event until the actual time of the event, therefore were not able to prior-prepare for it. This event tested ingenuity and critical thinking of each soldier.
“These events are all encompassing and a great assessment for the soldiers to really see who the best of the best is of this region,” said Staff Sgt. Matt Mahon, the NCO in charge of the confidence course.
Soldiers competed individually against each other to earn the title of top noncommissioned officer and the top junior enlisted soldier of the region. Out of these 14 soldiers, only the top NCO and top junior enlisted advanced to the national competition.
“It was definitely hard, but it was worth it,” said Spc. Henry Brucken of 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment in Washington, Indiana. Brucken was named the junior enlisted soldier of the year at the closing ceremony of the event. “Last year I lost on a simple error. This year I was able to come back and pull through and get the redemption I wanted.”
The NCO of the year was named during the event as well. This title went to Sgt. Jacob Ellington of the Minnesota National Guard’s 114th Transportation Company.
“It’s really a great opportunity to showcase the skills and abilities we have in the National Guard,” said Ellington. “I’m just really honored to be able to be in this spot and to show off my skill in the next level.”
Ellington and Brucken will continue on to compete in the National Best Warrior competition in September 2021 in Arizona.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.20.2021 12:57 |
| Story ID: | 396945 |
| Location: | INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 106 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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