VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT BLISS, Texas — After a week of intense challenges that tested physical endurance, tactical skill and teamwork, Team 3 representing XVIII Airborne Corps emerged as the top squad during the U.S. Army Forces Command Best Squad Competition, held Aug. 11-15, 2025, on Fort Bliss, Texas.
The annual competition brings together the most skilled squads from across FORSCOM to determine which team best exemplifies the Army’s standards of readiness, leadership, and resilience. Seven squads representing seven divisions, brigades and units faced off in events designed to simulate the demands of combat and the complexities of modern warfare.
Competitors completed a series of events, including but not limited to weapons qualification, medical lanes, land navigation, physical fitness tests and a ruck march exceeding 17 miles. Each challenge required not only individual skill but also seamless squad coordination under high stress.
“This competition tested every aspect of who we are as Soldiers,” said Spc. Tyler Damon, a competitor representing XVIIIs Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina,. “It pushed us beyond our limits, and it feels pretty good because we put in the work to do it. We proved what we can achieve when we rely on each other and represent our formation with pride.”
To get ready for the demanding events at Fort Bliss, the squad built their training around physical preparation, knowing that endurance and strength would play a decisive role in the competition.
“Our main focus for this competition was preparing physically, because we knew the physical portions weighed heavily,” said Staff Sgt. James Staats, representing XVIII Airborne Corps. “We worked out twice a day, kept a strict diet, made sure to get the right calories and electrolytes, and trained on different ranges to be ready for any challenge.”
At the closing ceremony, Team 3 was named the FORSCOM Best Squad for 2025, earning the opportunity to represent the command in the U.S. Army-level Best Squad Competition later this year. Individual honors were also awarded for the Best NCO and Best Soldier categories, presented to Spc. Tyler Damon representing XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Sgt. Bryan Propst representing the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California.
The competition’s conclusion marked not only a celebration of victory but also a reaffirmation of the Army’s commitment to preparing Soldiers for the demands of large-scale combat operations.
Team 3 representing XVIII Airborne Corps will now advance to the Army-wide competition, carrying the pride of their command and the experience of proving themselves as the very best squad in FORSCOM.
Social Sharing