FORT BRAGG, N.C. (April 26, 2012) -- More than 24 hours of physical and mental tasks confronted Soldiers of the 352nd Civil Affairs Command as the Reserve unit searched for its best warriors.
"We like to make it a challenge," Command Sgt. Maj. Harry Bennett said of the unit's Best Warrior competition.
The grueling event was held April 2 to 3 on Fort Meade to select the Soldiers who will compete in May at the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) Best Warrior competition at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Both Soldiers who represented the 352nd at Fort Bragg last year returned, but in different roles.
This year, Staff Sgt. Brett Klatt was one of the cadre team members, the Soldiers behind the scenes who made the event happen.
"We're doing something a little special this year," said Sgt. 1st Class Frederick B. Riccio. "If a competitor is able to beat Klatt, they'll get bonus points. But if they don't beat me, they'll lose points."
Spc. Justin Arrington found himself in the role of sponsor, helping his fellow Soldier, Pfc. Amber Nolan, get through the demanding competition. He rucked alongside Nolan, providing her with both motivation and a study partner.
"I'm happy to be here as a sponsor, helping her out," Arrington said.
After the second event, a 10 kilometer road march, some Soldiers were already feeling the pain. Sgt. Steven D. Rhyne nursed some rather large blisters.
"I'm kind of stubborn and continued with the desert, jungle-style boots, and probably should have gone with the newer style of boots," Rhyne said. "I'll still continue, but I won't be much of a competitor now."
And there was a lot left. The road march conveniently ended at the range, allowing competitors to go directly into that portion of the competition.
The range was immediately followed by a related mystery event - disassembling and reassembling an M9 pistol and testing it.
As the sun began to set, the Soldiers walked across the street, where they were greeted with an obstacle course, which allowed for three Soldiers to run through simultaneously.
A quick dinner was followed by a full night of warrior tasks, putting the physically exhausted Soldiers through a mental ringer.
"These Soldiers have endured an intense schedule of events, but they also started to mold as a team," Bennett said. "They've developed respect for their fellow competitors and made new friendships."
Around midnight, the land navigation portion started in the dark and ended well past sunrise. But there was no time to rest; a quick breakfast and a written exam awaited the tired competitors.
The final event proved to be the most grueling. A Modern Army Combatives tournament capped the two-day ordeal, pitting these warriors against each other in physical combat.
In the end, Sgt. Paul Rothfeld of the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion in Riverdale and Spc. Adam Engel of the 401st Civil Affairs Battalion in Webster, N.Y., were chosen.
These two best warriors will represent the 352nd at the USACAPOC(A)'s Best Warrior competition at Fort Bragg.
"Rothfeld and Engel are a reflection of the great Soldiers we have in the command and continue a tradition of winning," Bennett said. "They follow Klatt and Arrington, who won at Fort Bragg last year and went on to the U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior competition. The 352nd is well represented by this year's Best Warrior winners."
Social Sharing