10th AAMDC Best Warrior Competition

By Spc. Jasmin FloresAugust 6, 2015

10th AAMDC Best Warrior Competition
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Justin Custodio and Sgt. Christian Pait, of the 5th Battalion 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment square off while participating in the M9 marksmanship qualification during the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command's Best Warrior Competition.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
10th AAMDC Best Warrior Competition
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Jordan Marlow, a competitor with the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, assesses a simulated causality using a tourniquet and first aid kit during day two of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Com... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
10th AAMDC Best Warrior Competition
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 12 Soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, and 5th Battalion 7th Air Defense Artillery prepared to start day one of the 10th AAMDC's Best Warrior Comp... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
10th AAMDC Best Warrior Competition
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Anthony Beatty and Spc. Chase Williams, of the 5th Battalion 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment grapple to the mat as they square of in the combatives elimination tournament during the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command's Best Warrior Com... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
10th AAMDC Best Warrior Competition
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Lt. Sean Ryan,a competitor with the 5th Battalion 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, patiently waits as his uniform is inspected during day three of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command's Best Warrior Competition. The annual competition... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

RHINE ORDNANCE BARRACKS, Germany (August 6, 2015)-- Just before dawn on July 27, 12 Soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, and 5th Battalion 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment prepared to start day one of the 10th AAMDC's Best Warrior Competition

The annual competition was held from July 26-29 on Rhine Ordnance Barracks. The purpose of the competition was to select the best of the best amongst 10th AAMDC Soldiers, and send to the winners to the United States Army Europe level competition. The competition included 14 different tasks that tested the competitor's mental, and physical toughness.

While the Soldiers participating in the competition were ultimately competing on their own, they also received support from their sponsors who not only helped the finalists study and prepare for the competition, but also provided moral support and guidance.

The competition began with an M16, M4 and M9 marksmanship qualification as well as a weapons assembly task. The Soldiers were also responsible for assembling the M249 squad automatic weapon, M240 Bravo machine gun, and the MK-19 grenade launcher, which was a new experience for the more junior Soldiers.

After the weapons qualifications the Soldiers met the competition cadre in the dirt with their personal weapons and a five gallon water jug for their next task, a stress event. The Soldiers low-crawled with their water jugs for 75 meters, rushed for three to five seconds during a simulated enemy assault, and sprinted for a further 75 meters.

"I wanted the competition to be a tough event that tested our Soldier's ability to complete tasks and drills relevant to today's operating environment", said 10th AAMDC Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Burnley. "We combined some of these together, conducted them under unexpected circumstances, and added physical elements to make it challenging on the warriors. We wanted to ensure we not only tested their technical and tactical knowledge, but physically pushed them, stressing their bodies and minds."

Day two of the competition kept participants busy until nearly midnight. It began with a physical fitness test with competitors completing as many push-ups and sit-ups as possible in two minutes, and as many pull-ups until their arms gave out. The Soldiers then took off for a grueling three mile foot march through the woods of Rhine Ordnance Barracks.

After completing the foot march, the Soldiers were tested to prove their day land navigation skills. Once land navigation was finished the Soldiers took a brief break to eat and rest before the next obstacle in the competition, the situational training exercise lanes.

The lanes began with the Soldiers getting in full mission oriented protective posture gear and responding to different MOPP scenarios like sending up a nuclear biological chemical-1 report. The NBC-1 report submits information about location and type of agent being used in a nuclear, chemical or biological attack.

The lane continued with the Soldiers responding to other warrior tasks such as movement under direct fire while using arm and hand signals and finished with the Soldiers assessing simulated causalities using tourniquets and first aid kits.

While many of the competitors hoped that the STX lanes were the last event for that day, they were surprised to find out they still had a combatives elimination tournament and night land navigation.

The competition schedule was not simply designed to be difficult for the competitors, said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Locke, the 10th AAMDC Best Warrior Competition NCOIC. "I wanted to challenge the Soldiers both physically and mentally, to give them confidence in their own abilities so they may succeed in all of their future endeavors."

Day three began with the competitors putting together their dress uniform for a uniform inspection. The Best Warrior Competition came to an end with a mock evaluation board with the 10th AAMDC Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Burnley, alongside a panel of senior leaders. The Soldiers were tested on current events, confidence, Army history, sponsorship training as well as common Soldier tasks.

"These events are good for the command because it fosters esprit de corps, competition, and leader development, the units came out to support and cheer on their warriors at the events", Burnley said. "Soldiers get deep in our doctrine and regulations to not only understand what we do, but why, and how to apply it. No one competes to lose, everyone in the Army wants to win. That's what we do."

The 10th AAMDC Best Warrior Competition winners were announced the following day at a ceremony, by Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Burnley.

The winners included, 2nd Lt. Joseph D. Foss Sgt. Christian S. Pait, and Pfc. Anthony Beatty.

"With the competition being over I definitely feel mentally and physically ready just as far as an overall readiness state for being in the Army. I know that anything the Army throws me into I will be prepared for it no matter what it is," said Sgt. Christopher Coker, a 10th AAMDC Soldier who competed in the competition. "The competition was a good way to brush up on training we don't actually do on a daily basis."

The next step for the winners of the competition will be to represent the 10th AAMDC at the USAREUR level in mid-September.

"In the end, we wanted our Team 10 Soldiers to come away from the competition better than they entered it, satisfied that they completed it, and knowing that we truly had selected the best in the command", Burnley said.

Related Links:

10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command page

5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment page