BELLEMONT, Ariz. -- Soldiers from seven states and one territory came together at Camp Navajo May 16, to compete for the title of Army National Guard Region VII Best Warriors and the chance to move on to the Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition next month.
The field of 16 competitors and their mentors began the two-day competition on the physical training field early Monday morning for the Army Physical Fitness Test. Consisting of three events -- push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile run -- the test is designed to measure each participant's strength and endurance. Immediately following the APFT, competitors moved to the small arms range to be evaluated on their ability to accurately fire the M4 carbine and M9 pistol.
"Competitions like this are important because it brings out the best of the best that each section has to offer," said Sgt. 1st Class Rolando Torres Diaz, Arizona Army National Guard noncommissioned officer of the year.
With little sleep, and weather that kept the temperatures low, day two tested the competitors' endurance during a day and night land navigation course, a public affairs interview, a 10.5-mile ruck march and a two-man team aerial assault mission. Working together for the first time, these teams navigated uneven and heavily forested terrain to finish the course.
At the end of the day, each competitor found themselves in front of an appearance board, being scrutinized from head to toe on their appearance in dress uniform, and tested on their knowledge of Army rules and regulations, as well as their proficiency in their warrior skills.
"We had some tough competition this year," said Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Powers, Arizona Army National Guard command sergeant major. "We tested the Soldiers both physically and mentally. Everybody had to reach down and find a little extra to complete the competition."
Powers said this competition was more than just a way to name a regional winner, but an opportunity to provide these Soldiers with great Army training.
After intense competition, the tile of Region VII NCO of the year was awarded to Sgt. 1st Class Rolando Torres Diaz, from Arizona, and the Soldier of the Year winner was Spc. Corbin Korsgard, from Colorado. As the winners of the regional competition, Torres Diaz and Korsgard will move on to the national level Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition in Massachusetts, June 20-24.
"The competition was stiff and I knew after seeing everyone on the Army Physical Fitness Test that it was going to be a good close competition," Korsgard said.
"This is definitely a great accomplishment for me and for the State of Arizona," Torres Diaz said.
This was the first year the Arizona Army National Guard has hosted the regional Best Warrior Competition, since the name changed from the Army NCO and Soldier of the Year competition in 2007.
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