301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade holds its Best Warrior competition

By Spc. Sean Harding (Army Reserve)February 15, 2017

Sgt. Robert M. Hughes, 476th Chemical Battalion, 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, engages a target at the M4 qualification portion of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Robert M. Hughes, 476th Chemical Battalion, 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, engages a target at the M4 qualification portion of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Februar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Spc. Christopher R. Williams, left, watches on as Sgt. Demetrio Montoya indicates the number of rounds that hit a target at the known distance range portion of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade B
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Christopher R. Williams, left, watches on as Sgt. Demetrio Montoya indicates the number of rounds that hit a target at the known distance range portion of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition, at Joint Base Lewis-McCho... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Spc. Heath B. Edin, 476th Chemical Battalion, 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade moves between distances at the known distance range portion of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior comp
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Heath B. Edin, 476th Chemical Battalion, 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade moves between distances at the known distance range portion of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Master Sgt. William R. Powers looks on while competitors begin the land navigation portion of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Master Sgt. William R. Powers, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, looks on while competitors begin the land navigation portion of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition, at Joint Base L... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sgt. Jonathan D. Lancaster moves forward quickly during the ruck march portion of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Jonathan D. Lancaster of the 321st Engineer Battalion moves forward quickly during the ruck march portion of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, February 8, 2017. Best Warrior... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sgt. Roberto J. Cruz navigates the reverse climb portion of the confidence course at the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Roberto J. Cruz of the 315th Engineer Battalion navigates the reverse climb portion of the confidence course at the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition, at Joint-Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, February 9, 2017. Best Warr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Spc. Christopher R. Williams races towards the finish line of the 2-mile run portion of the Army Physical Fitness Test
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Christopher R. Williams, Headquarters and Headquarters company, 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, races towards the finish line of the 2-mile run portion of the Army Physical Fitness Test, during the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best War... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Competitors make their way towards the interview board portion of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Competitors make their way towards the interview board portion of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, February 9, 2017. Best Warrior is an annual competition designed to test each ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SEATTLE -- Last week six soldiers from around the country convened at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington to compete in the ninth annual 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Best Warrior competition.

Best Warrior is an annual competition held at various levels throughout the Army to determine who will compete in the Department of the Army Best Warrior competition at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia.

Consisting of many different events, Best Warrior is designed to test each soldier's physical and mental fitness, proficiency in warrior tasks, resiliency, and their determination to be the best. Some of the tests that competitors were put through included an M4 qualification range, land navigation and urban orienteering, multiple essays, a ruck march, and an interview board, to name just a few of the events.

Assured Victory!

After three consecutive days of grueling competition, the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade announced its winners: Spc. Christopher R. Williams, a fire support specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company won the junior enlisted category, while Sgt. Roberto J. Cruz, a horizontal contraction engineer with 387th Engineer Company, won the noncommissioned officer (NCO) category.

"It is definitely an honor to win the brigade level competition, and represent the 301st at the combined Theater Engineer Command competition," said Cruz after the competition.

"It is a big accomplishment in my life," said Williams. "Knowing that I could come out and win something so big made me feel really good about myself, and my unit."

Pfc. Raymond A. Gomez, a heavy equipment operator, also from the 387th, was the runner up for the junior enlisted category. He also won the coveted 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade's Top Marksman award.

Sgt. Jonathan D. Lancaster, a combat engineer from Caldwell, Idaho, representing the 321st Engineer Battalion, was the runner-up for the NCO category.

"Best Warrior competitions are typically the most challenging competitions that soldiers go through," said Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas C. Perry, command sergeant major of the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. "The competitions can be both mentally and physically tough, and done with a lot of intensity."

"It's a very important program to energize our formations and tell our story, and the story of the Army Reserve," he added.

Can't Do It Alone

32 cadre members were also temporarily called to service to support the event. From running the ranges, moving competitors around to different events, providing warm soup and hot coffee for the competitors and cadre in the field, and medical staff to keep the competition and competitors safe, they played a vital role - there would be no Best Warrior without them.

Master Sgt. William R. Powers, the noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of competitors, was a welcomed presence among the competitors. From picking the competitors up from the airport, to making sure they were brought to each event on time, he was a crucial component of Best Warrior.

"He was really taking care of us, and he was very professional," said Cruz. "We would stay way ahead of schedule because of him. Master Sgt. Powers should definitely have the same role in future competitions because I can't think of anyone else more appropriate for that task."

"We called him the 'king sponsor,'" said Williams. "He was really good to have around."

A Tradition of Excellence

Success at Best Warrior competitions isn't something new for the 387th. Last year, Sgt. Orozco, a specialist at the time, won the title Army Reserve Best Warrior, and competed at the Department of the Army competition at Ft. A.P. Hill, Virginia in September.

"I did a lot of training for Best Warrior with Sgt. Orozco. We would go on ruck marches at high altitude. Orozco was a great influence and motivator," said Cruz.

"We are the 387th," he added. "When we go to Best Warrior, we own it."

Assured Passage!

"The companies in the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade definitely need to start preparing their soldiers now for next year's competition, which will be in April," said Perry. "It's going to be again a very mentally and physically taxing competition, but it's going to be nonstop fun."

Related Links:

301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade

Army Reserve Homepage

416th Theater Engineer Command

Best Warrior Homepage