Photo By Pfc. Yadira Rosales | Spc. Ezequiel Gamez, Sgt. 1st Class Jared Boynton, Sgt. Ariana Partyka, Pvt. James...... read more read more
FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Three squads from the 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment competed in the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 11-14, 2025.
The Best Squad Competition was broken into a four-day competition that consisted of daily challenges to test Soldiers’ competence in warrior tasks and battle drills, physical endurance, discipline, training, and teamwork.
“Being a part of this competition means a lot to me as a Soldier,” said PFC Prince J. Ayarbah, a Soldier in the white squad. “It’s given me the opportunity to test my mental fortitude and also put my skills on the table for my higher-ups and for my command team, to show them what I’m capable of doing, not only as an Air Defense Artillery Soldier, but a Soldier in the United States Army.”
Day one of the competition started with an Army Combat Fitness Test, an inventory layout, a written test, and a weapons knowledge test where Soldiers were tested on their proficiency of how well they can take apart, reassemble, and perform functions checks with an M4 carbine, M17 pistol, M249 machine gun, M320 grenade launcher, M240B machine gun, M2 machine gun, and an MK19 grenade launcher.
The following day, Soldiers gathered for a series of intense events. The day started with a 12-mile ruck march, followed by a situational training exercise, known as STX, and medical lanes testing their knowledge on various combat tactics and medical scenarios in a field environment.
During the squad mission event, competitors were evaluated on their teamwork efforts in receiving and executing a mission cohesively.
On the following day, Soldiers faced the Enhanced Physical Fitness Test, one of the final tests that would assess their physical and mental endurance. A leadership board then gave them the chance to demonstrate their expertise.
In addition, competitors conducted a day and night land navigation course, using a compass and map to navigate through rigorous terrain.
The final day of the competition consisted of weapons qualification. Each Soldier had to zero an M4 carbine before establishing proficiency in the weapon. Soldiers also had the opportunity to compete with an M17 pistol.
“Through this competition, I’ve been tested in multiple areas,” said SFC Jared Boynton, squad leader for the red squad. “Almost every piece of the competition had its own challenges. I just know through our intense training leading up to the competition that I was capable of accomplishing whatever tasks were placed in front of me.”
At the end of the competition, the winning squad was announced during morning formation in 1st Battalion 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment’s motor pool with the remainder of the battalion.
Red Squad, which consisted of SFC Boynton, SGT Ariana Partyka, SPC Ezequiel Gamez, PFC Bryndon Moody, and PV2 James Weatherspoon III, won the 108th ADA BDE Best Squad Competition.
“The Best Squad Competition is designed to teach Soldiers to work together as a team to accomplish any mission or task,” said Command Sergeant Major Jaime A. Lopez, Command Sergeant Major for the 108th ADA BDE. “By creating tough and realistic scenarios where Soldiers are put to the test, they will endure many of the same stressors they would face in combat. This is a key element to preparing our Soldiers for the future fight.”
Members from the red squad, PFC Moody and PV2 Weatherspoon along with SSG Jourdan Shepard, SGT George Usa and PFC Ayarbah, will be advancing to the next level to represent the 108th ADA BDE at the 32d Army Air and Missile Defense Command Blackjack Warrior Competition in May 2025.
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2025 14:52 |
| Story ID: | 494407 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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