The Army’s Best Warrior Competition is a rigorous competition where hundreds of Soldiers compete to earn the title of Best Soldier or Best Noncommissioned Officer.
Spc. Seth Michael-Donavin Piotti, 630th Clearance Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, won in the junior enlisted category of the United States Army Pacific 2021 Best Warrior Competition. Piotti bested the competition at the Eighth Army level before competing at the USARPAC Best Warrior Competition from June 1-5, 2021.
The USARPAC 2021 Best Warrior Competition is an annual, week-long competition featuring Soldiers from across the Pacific. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s competition took place across the Indo-Pacific region with competitors conducting events near their home stations.
The noncommissioned officers and junior-enlisted competitors were evaluated in several categories that tested their overall Soldier knowledge and skills through physical and mental challenges.
The competition started with a 12-mile ruck march early on June 1 before the sun rose. Piotti had to carry a rucksack loaded with 35-pounds for 12 miles in under three hours.
Right after the ruck, Piotti was tested on his ability to perform a weapons’ function check on the M-4 Carbine. Piotti then moved from U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys to Camp Casey where the remainder of the competition would be held.
Early the next day, Piotti’s land navigation skills were put to the test when he had to locate several points in the dark using only a map and compass.
“The most difficult thing for me was the Land Navigation because us lower enlisted don’t have much experience with it,” said Piotti.
Despite the difficulties he faced, Piotti was the first to complete the challenge amongst the competitors in Korea.
Soon after, Piotti would have to show his basic Soldier knowledge going through several stations with different Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills. These tasks ranged from communication checks with radios, medical aid under fire, and how to properly put on protective gear in the case of a chemical attack.
The following morning, Piotti took the Army Combat Fitness Test to evaluate his ability to meet the physical demands in a combat environment. These events consist of the three-repetition maximum deadlift, standing power throw, hand release push up, sprint drag carry, leg tuck, and a 2-mile run.
Afterwards, Piotti moved to Rodriguez Live Fire Range to test his proficiency with several weapon systems, including the M-249 squad automatic weapon, M-4 Carbine, and the new M-17 pistol.
To finish the week, Piotti was evaluated on his military knowledge and bearing in front of a panel of senior-enlisted personnel back at USAG Humphreys.
“I prepared by making flashcards for the knowledge board and by getting hands-on training with my arms room sergeant and several other knowledgeable NCOs,” said Piotti. “Moving forward to the Army level Best Warrior Competition, I’m going to keep preparing the same as I did for these last competitions. My motivation to win is to make my family and everyone I look up to proud.”
Piotti will represent USARPAC at the Army’s Best Warrior Competition. There he will compete against Soldiers from across the U.S. Army to earn the title of U.S. Army’s Top Soldier. Piotti will compete at Fort Knox, Kentucky and Washington D.C from October 1-14, 2021.
“I feel honored to have such a great opportunity to compete at the Army’s Best Warrior Competition,” said Piotti.
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