Jun 8, 2011

Sgt. 1st Class Joe Kapacziewski was deployed to Afghanistan when he learned he was one of two recipients of this year's Freedom Award. Gen. Raymond Odierno, commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command and President Barack Obama's pick to be the next Army chief of staff, was the other. Presented by No Greater Sacrifice in Washington, D.C., May 24, the award recognizes service members who have dedicated their lives to defending freedom wherever duty calls. Past recipients include Col. David Sutherland, 2008, Gen. David Petraeus, 2009, and Gen. James Conway, 2010. Kapacziewski, a platoon sergeant with 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, is the first enlisted Soldier to receive the award.

Jun 8, 2011

First Armor Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Benning starts Thursday

Jun 8, 2011

Jun 8, 2011

Jun 8, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The Maneuver Center of Excellence has adopted a new motorcycle safety policy requiring all military riders at Fort Benning to go through mandatory training, even if they never bring the bike on post.

Jun 8, 2011

Jun 2, 2011

GONAIVES, Haiti - What motivated the United States to send its Army engineers to Haiti to help?

Jun 1, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. " Spc. Jerry Torres of the 209th Military Police Detachment put his life on the line May 22 to save two residents during a fire in Battle Park, located off Arrowhead Road on Fort Benning.

Jun 1, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- For the McAllisters, old family photos were at the forefront of their thoughts. Irreplaceable mementos they thought would go up in smoke following a home fire on Fort Benning that ignited a neighbor’s apartment two weeks ago.

Jun 1, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Fort Benning tests its “giant voice” mass warning notification system at noon Saturday to help residents prepare for tornado and hurricane seasons.

Jun 1, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. " Groundbreaking remains a few years away, but Fort Benning has christened the site of the future National Armor and Cavalry Museum. Post leaders and several VIPs attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at the two tank display pads on Benning Boulevard at what will become an entrance to the museum coming here as part of the Armor School’s move from Fort Knox, Ky.

Jun 1, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Two decades ago, U.S. and coalition forces shoved Iraq out of Kuwait in relatively rapid fashion to claim an overwhelming victory in the Gulf War. The first national ceremony honoring the 382 American men and women who gave their lives took place Thursday.

May 31, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. " It was a packed house Sunday night at Wetherby Field. Thousands parked chairs and picnic blankets at Fort Benning’s concert site to watch country music star Toby Keith perform during a Memorial Day weekend tribute to the armed forces.

May 31, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. " Fort Benning first responders debuted new crash vehicles this month to respond to aircraft-rescue firefighting.

May 25, 2011

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (May 24, 2011) - Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, and McKinley L. Price, mayor of Newport News, Va., provided remarks at the TRADOC Headquarters ribbon cutting and memorialization ceremony here today.

May 25, 2011

TRADOC Team: Allow me to take this opportunity to reiterate how pleased I am to be able to stand the post with you one last time here at historic Fort Monroe. Jill and I are fortunate to once again join the TRADOC family, and we thank you for the heartwarming welcome. Like most Americans, I look forward to the 2011 Memorial Day weekend and all the activities announcing the start of summer. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who died in our Nation’s service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. It’s difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day, and is more likely that it had many separate beginnings. It is not important who was the very first; what is important is that Memorial Day was established. What is important is that at each of these towns and at every gathering, people tapped into the human need to honor our fallen warriors. What is important is that Memorial Day is about reconciliation and about coming together as a Nation to honor those who gave their all. I ask that as you plan your Memorial Day activities, take time to pay homage to… "those in past and present wars who have given their lives in the name of freedom and democracy, for they paid the ultimate price; "those deployed in harm’s way bravely standing the post and fighting for freedom around the world, they are securing our liberties; "our Wounded Warriors, for they know all too well that to serve can often mean great personal sacrifice. May God bless them and their families, and may God bless the United States of America. Robert W. Cone General, U.S. Army

May 25, 2011

Army Secretary John McHugh has approved a policy allowing Soldiers to receive the Purple Heart for concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries not resulting in loss of consciousness.

May 25, 2011

Strong Bonds program helps teach resiliency. Couples use Panama City, Fla., retreat to strengthen marriages.

May 25, 2011

The Army's top six drill sergeants from across the nation will gather at Fort Jackson, S.C. Jun. 13-17 to compete for the title of 2011 U.S. Army Drill Sergeant of the Year (DSOY).

May 25, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Georgia Tech Research Institute officials were here May 12-13 for another peek at a foreign-made unmanned aircraft system built with off-the-shelf commercial parts.

May 25, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. " Long before the fall of Osama bin Laden, another polarizing Middle East figure fell to U.S. forces " Saddam Hussein.

May 25, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - An online program aimed at strengthening Soldiers’ resolve and behavioral health skill sets in pursuit of their objectives will debut Wednesday. The Resilience App features a multitude of resources to help service members, Army civilians and family members optimize performance, build strong minds and bodies, and develop better coping mechanisms for traumatic events.

May 25, 2011

Coming off his ninth USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour to the Middle East, Toby Keith is still performing for troops, this time at the home of Infantry and Armor.

May 24, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The Environmental Management Division's Land Management Branch is fighting fire with fire - literally. The Directorate of Public Works agency has ignited its annual round of prescribed burns in post training areas. They're needed to maintain longleaf pine forests, control vegetation in the understory and reduce fuel sources for potentially catastrophic wildfires, said Land Management Branch chief James Parker. It's also an important tool in managing the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker habitat. On average, the impact areas are burned every two to three years, totaling about 30,000 to 40,000 acres of upland pine forests annually, he said. Most controlled burns on Fort Benning occur between December and June. Read more: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/03/01/1480281/prescribed-burns-under-way.html#ixzz1NHetvJpd

May 24, 2011

The U.S. Army is introducing its latest extension of "Army Strong" through its newest advertising campaign, "Symbol of Strength."

May 23, 2011

Sustainment Week affords leaders from around the Army an opportunity to gather yearly to talk about issues, gain valuable insights and discuss the future of the sustainment community. This year's conference kicked off May 9 with a common theme of 'getting back to the basics.'

May 23, 2011

Warrant Officers are the technical experts of their fields, often called upon to provide the knowledge required to successfully complete tough missions.

May 20, 2011

May 18, 2011

The 197th Infantry Brigade, 192nd Infantry Brigade and 198th Infantry Brigade are among the units with the most participants already registered for the 2011 Maneuver Center of Excellence Modern Army Combatives Tournament, which will be held Friday at Smith Fitness Center. Fifty-four participants are registered as of Wednesday. Registration ends Thursday and all competitors will be weighed in the same day.

May 18, 2011

Four fallen Soldiers were honored Saturday in a 2nd Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment, building dedication ceremony on Sand Hill. Three training barracks and a battalion headquarters were named in honor of Capt. Gerry Harr, Lt. Col. George Marshall, Capt. Richard Knight Jr., and Sgt. 1st Class Jason Bishop

May 18, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Runners are gearing up for the 3rd annual Run For The Heroes to benefit the Columbus-based House of Heroes. Ten military relay teams are signed up to run, with seven coming from Fort Benning.

May 18, 2011

Fort Benning played a role in Major League Baseball's fifth annual Civil Rights Game on Sunday at Turner Field, while a Warrior Transition Battalion Soldier stepped out of the dugout as the day's "Hometown Hero."

May 18, 2011

Sgt. 1st Class Ray Castillo's 10th combat deployment with the 75th Ranger Regiment resulted in a life-changing event on the dusty battlefield of northern Iraq. Today, he's a double amputee, but is set to graduate next week from Fort Benning's seven-week Maneuver Senior Leaders Course.

May 18, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - France's Pierre Edmond Piasecki fired first. Niccolo Campriani of Italy took a deep breath, let off his stance and gave a smile to the crowd Monday as he prepared to fire his last shot of the Men's Air Rifle final in the 2011 International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup, which the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit is hosting this week.

May 18, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Leslie Ostrander knows about resilience. At age 4, Ostrander was paralyzed from the waist down in a fatal car accident on a county road between Columbus and Auburn, Ala., that killed her grandmother and injured her mother.

May 18, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The Army published a draft Environmental Impact Statement Friday concerning the comprehensive study of the impact Fort Benning's Training Land Expansion Program may have on local economies and the environment.

May 17, 2011

Arif R. Zaky will retire at a May 24 luncheon at the APG-North recreation center. By his accounting, he will have completed 63 years, 5 months and 13 days of federal service. He is 80 years and 8 months old.

May 13, 2011

The ordnance Soldier creed states, "I will utilize every available talent and means to ensure that superior mobility, fire power, and communications are advantages enjoyed by the United States Army over its enemies." These words were the foundation for the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps' celebration of 199 years of excellence, professionalism and ordnance during their 2011 Ordnance Week, held here May 2 - 5.

May 12, 2011

The Army's new physical fitness test was administered to a group of Fort Benning Soldiers this week as part of the service's pilot program.

May 12, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - An Army wife who recently moved here as part of the Armor School arrival wants to bring more attention to spouse educational opportunities and hurdles. Alicia Hayes, an online adjunct professor of education for Park University, completed a quantitative study last year on the educational needs of Army spouses during deployment and nondeployment cycles.

May 12, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Bob Gehricke has a special gift for his son's birthday this summer: a large skull surrounded by bullet holes painted on a double-door. While going through Infantry one station unit training in 2009, Jared Gehricke and two battle buddies from 2nd Platoon, B Company, 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment, completed the rendering on the entrance to their barracks bay at Sand Hill.

May 11, 2011

pet-lovers, it's an emotional issue. For animal control facilities, it's an economic one: what to do with the nearly 7,000 dogs and cats dumped at the city's Animal Care and Control Center every year'

May 11, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The Ranger Training Brigade dominated Fort Benning's NCO and Soldier of the Year competitions Friday.

May 11, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Staff Sgt. John Heslin was named the Drill Sergeant of the Year Friday after squaring off against Fort Benning's top drill sergeants in a weeklong competition.

May 11, 2011

Lockout or no lockout, the NFL made an appearance on post last week. Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith, former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick, and ex-players Spencer Tillman, Randy Cross and Jim Miller visited Soldiers here as part of Ron Barr's Sports Byline USA tour. The nationally syndicated sports-talk radio host broadcast a two-hour show live Friday afternoon from the Sand Hill Recreation Center.

May 9, 2011

They are some of the most lethal Soldiers in the world. And they are woven of a tight-knit fabric unlike the rest of us. Their bond transcends nationality and knows no service branch, no language barrier, no particular army. At least that's the indication from the 12 German and five American snipers sharpening their skills together and trading best practices during a recent three-week sniper training course here. The combined training, organized by both German and American Army officials, brings together the two groups at the infantry school, or Infanterieschule - the only one in all of Germany and located just 30 kilometers west of the U.S. Army garrison in Schweinfurt.

May 9, 2011

May 4, 2011

May 4, 2011

MCoE combatives tournament is May 20. Combatives brings out warrior ethos, confidence in self.

May 4, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - A memorial and dedication ceremony was held Wednesday on Kelley Hill for two Soldiers killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

May 4, 2011

The men of 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment assumed Capt. Jay C. Copley was dead after they watched him be evacuated from Vietnam 40 years ago, until they noticed his name wasn't on the Vietnam Wall. Copley stood in front of his comrades, family members, and distinguished guests to receive the Distinguished Service Cross at the National Infantry Museum parade field.

May 4, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The 598th Maintenance Company arrived home just ahead of a powerful tornado outbreak that swept across Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Nearly 120 Soldiers returned Wednesday evening from a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan, when the storm system moved south toward the tricommunity area.

May 4, 2011

ARLINGTON, Va. - A fundamentally different fiscal reality. We will be hearing some variation of that phrase from Army leaders for a long time to come. The Army's budget is smaller than it has been in previous years, and it will get smaller still. However, a different fiscal reality does not change the reality of what we owe to Soldiers and Families for their service and sacrifice. The Army's commitment to Soldiers and Families remains as strong as ever.

May 3, 2011

Today is being set aside to recognize the wives and husbands of more than one million active-duty servicemembers, Guardsmen and Reservists.

May 2, 2011

An intelligence-driven U.S. operation in Pakistan killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden yesterday, President Barack Obama announced in a nationally televised address from the White House late last night.

May 2, 2011

U.S. Servicemembers watch on television as President Barack Obama talks about the details of the death of 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden, inside the USO at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, May 2, 2011.

Apr 29, 2011

FORT MONROE, Va. - Gen. Robert W. Cone assumed command of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command in a ceremony today on Fort Monroe, Va. Earlier this morning, Cone was promoted from lieutenant general to general in a ceremony in the Chamberlin Hotel on Fort Monroe, prior to becoming the 14th commanding general of TRADOC.

Apr 28, 2011

Active duty and Active Guard Reserve lieutenant colonels and majors interested in becoming professors of military science need to have their master's or higher degree by May 31, 2011, to be considered for positions in the August board at U.S. Army Human Resources Command.

Apr 28, 2011

U.S. servicemembers have long been eligible to receive the Purple Heart Medal for the signature wounds of the current wars -- mild traumatic brain injuries and concussions -- but now there is more clarity on how medical criteria for the award are applied, Defense Department officials said yesterday.

Apr 27, 2011

The Senate Military Family Caucus co-chairs, Senator Barbara Boxer and Senator Richard Burr, signed a letter recognizing April as Month of the Military Child. In the letter, the two senators thank the children of U.S servicemembers for their "strength, courage and optimism."

Apr 27, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Now that the Maneuver Center of Excellence is coming into full view at Fort Benning, leaders here want to tell the rest of the Army all about it.

Apr 27, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The Fort Benning chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club staged its first induction ceremony Wednesday in almost two years.

Apr 27, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Fort Benning officials believe the lack of injuries during the severe weather April 15-16 is a direct result of the effective use of composite risk management.

Apr 27, 2011

In Cai Lay, Vietnam, Nov. 18, 1967, a young Soldier helped rescue his injured comrades by swimming across a river on an air mattress despite having a broken back, three broken ribs, shrapnel wounds, a gunshot wound and not being able to swim.

Apr 27, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Twenty-one Soldiers with Fort Benning's first active movement control company deployed Wednesday to Afghanistan.

Apr 27, 2011

The "Power Sources Feedback" user group is designed so that Warfighters can share frank observations and recommendations directly with CERDEC Army Power engineers as they prepare to host the Joint Services Power Expo, May 2-5, 2011, at the Myrtle Beach, S.C., Convention Center.

Apr 25, 2011

Apr 24, 2011

<b>What is it' </b> Since 1980, the U.S. Army has assessed a Soldier's physical ability through the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Commonly known as the "PT Test," Soldiers are required to complete three events; two-minutes of pushups, two-minutes of sit-ups, and a two-mile run. Together, these events lack the ability to adequately measure components of muscular strength, endurance, or mobility needed for success on today's battlefield.

Apr 22, 2011

The Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, made his first visit to Iraq since being sworn in on April 11. The general met with more than 70 service members in the Al Faw Palace on Camp Victory, April 20.

Apr 22, 2011

During World War II, the U.S. government adopted the slogan "loose lips might sink ships" to warn people to be careful when talking in public. Almost 70 years later, the same slogan could be used in relation to today's tweets, posts and published photos in the online world of social media.

Apr 21, 2011

For Brea Harper, getting to travel to Coors Field in Denver to play on the field with cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy, seeing the Rockies' clubhouse and watching Jessica Simpson perform for military Families paled in comparison to meeting her hero: Michelle Obama.

Apr 21, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Roughly 800,000 children in the U.S. are reported missing each year, according to The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Of that number, an estimated 450,000 run away, 200,000 are abducted by family members and 115 are kidnapped by strangers with the intention of killing them, holding them for ransom or keeping them permanently.

Apr 20, 2011

Christopher McNally received his orders April 6, to report to Fort Benning, Ga. Like others before him, his first stop on post was the 30th Adjutant General Battalion (Reception). Unlike the others, McNally is 16 and has been battling osteosarcoma for a year.

Apr 20, 2011

Fort Benning, Ga., is the first military installation to acquire the Flex Powerstation, which will be tested at Fort Benning this summer to see if it can successfully generate cost-effective electricity.

Apr 20, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The Army's best bomb-disposal unit calls Fort Benning home. The 789th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company outperformed detachments from Fort Stewart, Ga., and Fort Bragg, N.C., to capture first place in a competition March 28-30 at Fort Campbell, Ky. Because of the high operations tempo since 9/11, it marked the first Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team of the Year event since 2001.

Apr 20, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The message is simple: You've answered the call to duty, now we will answer you.

Apr 20, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - A Fort Benning basic training battalion is among nine Quality of Life Award winners announced April 8 by the Secretary of Defense.

Apr 20, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The Best Ranger Competition teams traveled more than 60 miles by foot leading up to Sunday's Darby Queen Obstacle Course, said Ranger Training Brigade's event officer in charge, Capt. Joshua Ollek, more mileage at this point than in previous years.

Apr 20, 2011

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III was at Fort Benning, Ga., for the 28th annual Best Ranger Competition, but also took part in a working lunch with 10 drill sergeants at the Kouma Dining Facility on Harmony Church.

Apr 20, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - A tornado touched down about a mile away from the Ranger Training Brigade compound in Harmony Church early Saturday morning, which forced organizers to delay the start of the night orienteering course at the David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition.

Apr 20, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Officials have a message for post residents: Dryers could do more than simply take the dampness out of your clothes if they're not maintained properly. Three small dryer fires, including one at Smith Fitness Center, have broken out at Fort Benning in the last few months, said Steven Lowell, the installation's assistant chief of fire prevention.

Apr 20, 2011

The "super team" of Sgt. Maj. Walter Zajkowski and Master Sgt. Eric Turk is the winner of the 28th annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition.

Apr 20, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - William Boyd said he rarely misses the Best Ranger Competition - even if it means not telling relatives about his weekend travel plans. The 87-year-old former Soldier who trained at Fort Benning in the early 1940s and participated in D-Day was back on Harmony Church for this year's installment. He began attending BRC in the late 1990s and drives up to Columbus every year from his home in Sun City, Fla.

Apr 20, 2011

Regardless of where they're fighting, operating or training, Soldiers require supplies to accomplish their mission. The Supply Excellence Award recognizes those who keep the Army moving by providing superior supply operations for the active Army, National Guard and Reserve components. The SEA program started in 1986 to highlight the critical role sustainers play in supporting the warfighter. The purpose is to increase the logistical readiness of all Army units; enforce the Command Supply Discipline Program; encourage the use of available resources; and provide a structure for recognition of group and individual initiatives.

Apr 19, 2011

If you have questions about this Army journey, mark your calendars to participate in the Ask a Drill Sergeant discussion on Fort Benning's Facebook Fan Page from 6-8:30 p.m. April 21. Drill Sergeant's (also called Cadre) from two training units at Fort Benning - the 192nd and 198th Infantry Brigades - will answer questions.

Apr 18, 2011

The "super team" of Sgt. Maj. Walter Zajkowski and Master Sgt. Eric Turk are the winners of the 2011 Best Ranger Competition. At an awards ceremony today at Freedom Hall, Secretary of the Army John McHugh congratulated the teams on their accomplishment.

Apr 18, 2011

For the second year in a row, Master Sgt. Eric Turk has taken the title of Best Ranger, along with his partner Sgt. Maj. Walter Zajkowski, also a previous winner. Zajkowski claimed the top spot in 2007 with his then-teammate Maj. Liam Collins. The competition has only been won by the same Soldier in two consecutive years once before.

Apr 18, 2011

The device known as a Joint Battle Command-Platform, or JBC-P Handheld, is the first developed under an Army effort to devise an Android-based smartphone framework and suite of applications for tactical operations.

Apr 18, 2011

With more than 100,000 systems in the field and a lifesaving track record in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Army's friendly force tracking and messaging software is preparing for the future with a new version that is faster, more versatile and better connected to the Marine Corps. Next up: a tryout with Soldiers as part of the Army's unprecedented combined test and evaluation at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. in June. The Limited User Test for the new version of Force XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below/Blue Force Tracking (FBCB2/BFT), called Joint Capabilities Release (JCR), will support a decision on wider fielding of the capability - which thus far has been fielded to several brigades inside the United States. The LUT also marks a step toward a broader plan to move to the next-generation FBCB2/BFT technology for tactical aircraft, vehicles and dismounted forces, called Joint Battle Command-Platform (JBC-P). JCR is one of several programs of record undergoing simultaneous testing with the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division during the six-week event, known as the Network Integration Evaluation (NIE). Several other systems that are not part of the formal tests are also participating, including applications that provide Warfighters with fires planning, protection from rocket and mortar attacks and efficient energy sources.

Apr 17, 2011

The 2011 Best Ranger Competition 2011 came to a close April 17 at Fort Benning, Ga.

Apr 17, 2011

Teams picked up the pace overnight leading into the final day of the David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition. Injuries eliminated three teams and narrowed the field to 31 following a 12-mile road march and night orienteering course

Apr 17, 2011

Thirty-four teams continued on to day 2 of the 28th Annual Best Ranger Competition on Todd Field at Fort Benning, Ga. Day 2 consists of Ranger Day Stakes, which use skills every Ranger should know, including shooting, first aid, climbing and rappeling. The events are executed round-robin style as Ranger teams rotate from one event to the next. At the conclusion of the Day Stakes events, teams begin a foot march of more than 12 miles.

Apr 16, 2011

Soldiers competing in the 2011 Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, Ga., spent day two of competition completing several Rangering tasks including a mystery event. At the end of day two, only 33 out of 50 teams remained. The Best Ranger Competition is an ultimate test of fitness, endurance and grit for the Army's most elite Soldiers and includes three days of events such as running, ruck marching, swimming, completing obstacle courses, airborne drops, land navigation, and displaying weapons proficiency with little planned rest time.

Apr 16, 2011

Action resumed Saturday morning at the David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition - after a tumultuous night of thunderstorms rocked the local area. Ironically, the weather left the field more intact than in previous years at this stage as officials were forced to delay the start of the night orienteering course, a grueling 10-mile trek that wreaks havoc on competitors.

Apr 15, 2011

Fifty teams kicked off the 28th annual Best Ranger Competition with a three-mile buddy run before dawn today. The teams head into a foot movement and canoe race to round out the morning. Events are scheduled around the clock, with teams moving to the firing ranges in the afternoon to conduct machine gun and moving target events before heading out for day orienteering, fast-rope insertion and their first obstacle course. The day ends with teams navigating an approximately ten mile night orienteering course well into the early hours of Day 2. "It's the greatest thing in the Army ... I look forward to it each year," said retired Col. Ralph Puckett, a former Ranger and two-time Distinguished Service Cross recipient who will be on the sidelines throughout most of the competition. "When you come out to Benning, you walk with giants. They're not rock stars, they're not sports heroes, they're not actors playing Soldiers. They're the real deal."

Apr 15, 2011

Held at Fort Benning, Ga., the Best Ranger Competition is an ultimate test of fitness, endurance and grit for the Army's most elite Soldiers. Fifty two-man teams will compete for the title of "Best Ranger" by running, ruck marching, swimming, completing obstacle courses, airborne drops, land navigation, and displaying weapons proficiency in a three-day marathon-style competition without sleep.

Apr 15, 2011

Fifty teams kicked off the 28th annual Best Ranger Competition with a three-mile buddy run before dawn today. The teams head into a foot movement and canoe race to round out the morning. Events are scheduled around the clock, with teams moving to the firing ranges in the afternoon to conduct machine gun and moving target events before heading out for day orienteering, fast-rope insertion and their first obstacle course. The day ends with teams navigating an approximately ten mile night orienteering course well into the early hours of Day 2.

Apr 14, 2011

Apr 13, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The events are set for another grueling 60-hour demonstration of mental toughness and physical strength among contestants in the 28th annual Best Ranger Competition.

Apr 13, 2011

FORT BENNING, Ga. - The Army must define a future strategy to deal with hybrid threats that operate along increasingly intricate networks in a "realm of uncertainty" on the battlefield, officials said last week at the 2011 Reconnaissance Summit.