Oregon National Guard Soldiers test fortitude during 2023 Best Warrior Competition

Photo By John Hughel | Oregon Army National Guard soldiers participating in the Best Warrior Competition, move out and ‘ruck’ between competition stations at the Camp Rilea Armed Forces Center, Warrenton, Oregon on March 17, 2023. During the competition, the best enlisted soldiers and non-commissioned officers are tested for their aptitude through board interviews, physical fitness tests, written exams, urban warfare simulations and other key Soldier tasks relevant to the Army's operating environment. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)  

WARRENTON, OREGON, UNITED STATES

03.19.2023

Story by Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan 

Oregon Military Department Joint Forces Headquarters

WARRENTON, Ore. - Some of the Oregon National Guard’s finest junior enlisted and NCO Soldiers put their skills to the test with grit and determination during the 2023 Best Warrior competition, March 16-18, in Warrenton, Ore. It appeared the only thing that made this year’s competition easier was three days of March sunshine on the Oregon Coast, as competition planners and cadre ensured the 2023 rendition of ORNG Best Warrior was one of the best
organized and demanding to date.

Sergeant Major of the Army (Ret.) Daniel Dailey, who is now the vice president for NCO and Soldier Programs for the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) visited to observe the competition with Oregon National Guard Sergeant Major (Ret.) Jerry Glesmann, the Region XI AUSA
president.

Dailey said he was impressed with what he saw including how the competition was planned and executed, the cadre supporting, the Soldiers participating, and how challenging the competition was. Dailey gave a motivating speech during the closing ceremony that praised the Soldiers for stepping up to reap the reward of doing something difficult and leading by example.

“You all are doing things the right way here,” said Dailey.

During the competition Soldiers tested their physical and mental skills at one of the most challenging sites in the country, Camp Rilea, where past regional competitions have been held.

Events included a military board, written test, exam, land navigation, various weapons tests,
grenade course, obstacle course, call for fire, ruck march, MOUT site, and more during three
days with limited sleep.

“It’s been a couple of rough days, only a little sleep, but looking forward to what’s next,” said Sgt. Christian Galvez, with Charlie Company 186 Infantry Battalion of the 41st IBCT said after Zeroing his weapon on day two of the competition.

Galvez and others maintained a spirted camaraderie while competing against each other. The entire group completed all events, all three days, including a grueling race at the end where thegroup ‘low crawled’ out of the ocean before racing to the top of a hill on the beach and back.

The 2023 ORNG Best Warrior Competition set a high bar for future events proving the well organized and challenging competition is place where some of the Oregon National Guard’s finest Soldiers can set an example as current and future enlisted leaders.

1st Sgt. Les McCoy with Oregon Training Command said the competition is a multiple year effort for the planners.

“Drawing up everything from warrior tasks to how we’re going to run the event, ammo, feed them, water them, and house them. There’s a lot to it and I think it’s very special, I’m honored to be a part of it,” McCoy said.

Oregon Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major Lee Smith and other Sergeants Majors from the Oregon National Guard were also at the competition to observe and encourage those competing to show support for what McCoy thinks is a very important event.

“I think this is important because these are the young men and women who are going to be the future leaders of this organization and to put them through this and see what they can achieve as individuals is very special. It speaks volumes to their leadership and the Oregon National Guard as a whole, and building the future,” said McCoy.

Here are the results of the 2023 Oregon National Guard Best Warrior Competition:

2023 NCO of the Year
• First Place – Sgt. John Shown
• Second Place – Sgt. Dillon Vanorman
• Third Place – Sgt. Joseph Malm

2023 Soldier of the Year
• First Place – Cpl. Ashton Dieli
• Second Place – Private 1st Class Hunter Toyama
• Third Place – Spc. Conner Nett

Shown and Dieli will go on to compete at the regional competition in Fort Harrison in Helena,
Montana from May 15-21, 2023.

• Date Taken: 03.19.2023
• Date Posted: 04.02.2023 14:42
• Story ID: 441751
• Location: WARRENTON, OREGON, US