Task Force Muleskinner troops dig deep during Best Warrior Competition qualifier

By Sgt. Michael K. SelvageApril 25, 2014

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1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Joshua Fritz, a motor transport operator also assigned to 96th Transportation Company, 142nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, qualifies on his assigned weapon while Command Sgt. Maj. Jose A Castillo, brigade senior enlisted leader, watches ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Monty Green, a human resource specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, inspects his target after qualifying with his assigned weapon as part of the Bes... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Steve Morales, an ammunition specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Special Troops Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, reassembles an M2 .50 caliber machine gun as part of the warrior task portion of the Best Warrior... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --Soldiers of 10th Sustainment Brigade proved their mettle March 22-23 during the unit's Best Warrior Competition. The physically challenging event was organized to help identify the most qualified Soldiers to represent the Muleskinner Brigade in the upcoming 1st Theater Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition.

Noncommissioned officers and Soldiers were required to complete six events during the two-day competition in hopes of earn- ing the title of Best NCO or Best Soldier.

"Boards and competitions are the way we select the best of the best while assessing their talents and recognizing them for their outstanding efforts," said Command Sgt. Maj. Jose A. Castillo, 10th Sustainment Brigade senior enlisted adviser. "(We judged Soldiers) through inspections, assessments of character, evaluations, competitions and performance … while assisting them in their quest to be better leaders."

Many of the Soldiers, including Sgt. William Morgan, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, were excited about the challenge because "it's fun and it?'s what being a Soldier is all about."

The competitors' first day started by getting their height and weight recorded before conducting an Army Physical Fitness Test, which included pushups, situps, a two-mile run and a pullup event.

Pfc. Alissa Grant, a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Com- pany, 10th Special Troops Battalion, had the highest APFT score of 294.

Sgt. Steve Morales, an ammunition specialist assigned to HHC, 10th STB, scored the highest among the NCOs competing with a score of 280.

Once everyone completed the AFPT, Soldiers were given time to conduct personal hygiene and eat breakfast before the next event.

The second portion of the competition was a written test consisting of 30 questions ranging from general military knowledge to military history. The competitors also were required to write an essay on leadership.

Morales and Pfc. Monty Green, a human resource specialist assigned to HHD, 548th CSSB, took first place for the written portion of the competition.

Immediately after the written test, Soldiers conducted the warrior task portion of the competition. Competitors were required to disassemble and reassemble an M240 and M2 .50 caliber machine gun as quickly and efficiently as possible. They were closely monitored and timed by members of the brigade?'s command security team.

Grant was the fastest Soldier to complete both tasks with a time of 2 minutes, 27 seconds on the M240 and 2:41 on the M2.

Sgt. Joshua Fritz, a motor transport operator assigned to the 96th Transportation Company, 142nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, was the fastest NCO on the M240 with a time of 1:07.

Sgt. Teary Ing, an allied trade specialist assigned to HHC, 10th STB, was the fastest NCO on the M2 with a time of 4:07.

After the last Soldier reassembled the weapons, everyone was bused to the qualification range for the next portion of the competition. At the range, Soldiers received a safety briefing and instructions for the next challenge, in which competitors shot at paper targets to qualify on their assigned weapon.

Green scored the highest among the Soldiers at the range with a score of 37 out of 40.

Fritz shot 39, scoring the highest among the NCO competitors.

After the range, the competitors were released for lunch and given instructions to meet at the brigade later that evening for the final event of the day.

Soldiers donned their improved outer tactical vest, advanced combat helmet, assigned weapons and a 20-pound ruck sack in preparation for the 10-kilometer ruck march around the base.

After Soldiers received a safety briefing and a prayer from the brigade chaplain, their rucks were weighed before the start of their final event. Some Soldiers chose to run portions of the march while others kept a steady pace.

Drenched in sweat, Morales sprinted across the finish line in 1 hour, 8 minutes. He was the first NCO to finish the ruck march. The second competitor to finish the ruck march was 11 minutes behind him.

Morales said every time he thought he heard footsteps behind him, he would push himself to go faster until he couldn?'t hear them anymore.

Spc. Dedreck Rucker, a human resource specialist assigned to HHC, 10th STB, was the fastest Soldier to complete the ruck march with a time of 1:22.

The first day of the competition was complete, leaving the participants exhausted physically and mentally.

On the final day of the challenge, Soldiers arrived eager and ready to stand in front of a board composed of senior leaders throughout the brigade.

"I'm studying for the NCO of the Month board so all that knowledge has helped me prepare for this," Morales said.

At the end of the day, there could be only one winner for each category. The board members reviewed the scores from each event and incorporated them into their decision.

"It was a tough competition," Morales said. "I really pushed myself and really enjoyed the challenge."

Morales and Grant proved to be the best Soldiers to represent the Muleskinner Brigade. They will continue to train and better themselves in preparation for the 1st Theater Sustainment Command Best Warrior Competition.