FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (April 29, 2025) — Soldiers descended from a Chinook CH-47 onto the grounds of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as the crowd cheered for the competitors beginning their journey into the 18th Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers Best Sapper Competition.
The Best Sapper Competition, held April 25–29, brought together 35 teams representing the Army’s top combat engineers for a demanding five-day event designed to test their technical skills, endurance, and mental toughness.
The 10th Mountain Division team was represented by Soldiers from the 63rd Combat Engineer Company, 41st Engineer Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI) led by 1st Lt. Colton Schaal and Sgt. Noah Bielak, who formed Team 5.
The team faced intense challenges, pushing them to their physical and cognitive limits, highlighting the grit and determination required to earn the title of Best Sapper.
"I think if you're going to do something, you should be the best at it,” said Sgt. Noah Bielak, a squad leader assigned to the 63rd Combat Engineer Company, 41st Engineer Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI). “So when there's a competition like this testing everything you've worked for, you step up, not just to prove it to others, but to prove it to yourself.”
The competition demands Soldiers demonstrate a willingness to push personal limits, through strength and perseverance. Preparation for the competition included months of physical training, technical study, and team coordination to meet the rigorous demands of the event.
April 25 marked the beginning of Day 0, the final opportunity for participants to sharpen and perfect the engineering skills they would rely on for the five-day competition.
Soldiers participated in a series of challenging events including rucking, the Round Robin, Sapper Stakes, and the X-Mile Run. Each event tested the competitors' physical endurance, technical skills, and mental toughness under demanding conditions.
"It’s an honor to represent a unit within the 10th Mountain Division while participating in an event like this, pushing myself alongside some of the Army’s best," Bielak said.
The event highlighted the importance of teamwork over individual achievement. It provided an opportunity to showcase the strength and capabilities of Soldiers' units, as well as the broader values and standards of the Army.
"I plan to be prepared to think outside the box to overcome any challenges," Bielak said. "Staying adaptable, both mentally and physically, will be key to successfully navigating the unexpected situations that come with a competition like this."
Soldiers developed greater resilience, adaptability, and confidence throughout the five-day competition. Growing these qualities lead to competitors wanting to improve their performance in everyday military duties and battlefield operations.
"It's important to give people something to strive for, so having an event like this gives people the opportunity to be the best and get better at their jobs," Bielak said.
The high standards set by events like the Best Sapper Competition provide a platform for growth, pushing individuals to reach their full potential and enhancing the overall readiness and capabilities of the Army.
"I’m proud of our performance, I think we did well overall," said 1st Lt. Colton Schaal, a platoon leader assigned to the 63rd Combat Engineer Company, 41st Engineer Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI). "My proudest moment was on the first day, standing alongside so many talented individuals, all ready to compete and push each other to be better.”
After a grueling week of intense physical and mental challenges, the 10th Mountain Division overcame every challenge of the Best Sapper Competition. Each soldier faced obstacles that tested not only their technical skills but also their endurance, adaptability, and determination.
"I think it’s incredibly valuable to see how well my team performed, and, most importantly, to recognize that there’s still so much we can learn," Schaal said. "Knowing we have room to improve gives us a lot of motivation to keep pushing forward."
Regardless of the outcome, the participants proved what it means to push beyond limits and embody the Army’s core values of strength, perseverance, and excellence.
Team 5 placed seventh overall, becoming one of the final 20 teams remaining out of the original 35 competing for the title of Best Sapper. Team 27, led by Capt. James Mitchiner and 1st Lt. George Madden of the 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, took first place overall.
As the competition concluded, Team 5 left with a deeper sense of accomplishment, invaluable lessons, and a stronger bond with their teammate.
"I’m proud of myself, my partner, and everything we accomplished," Bielak said. "It was an incredible experience, and it has only strengthened our resolve to keep improving and tackle whatever comes next."
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