CAMP DARBY, Italy — For Staff Sgt. Kirby Conner, holding a recent land navigation course at Camp Darby to prepare for the upcoming Best Warrior Competition was a return to fundamental Soldier skills.
Conner, a military police NCO with U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s Directorate of Emergency Services, joined several garrison Soldiers in sharpening their navigation abilities in the wooded training area inside Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli Park.
Conner and Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Witt helped set up the course.
“It’s not just about finding your way. It’s about staying calm, thinking critically and making decisions that could mean the difference between success and failure,” Conner said.
The Army Best Warrior Competition tests Soldiers in fitness, marksmanship and tactical knowledge, with land navigation being a key event. Each of the nine IMCOM-Europe garrisons will send one NCO and one Soldier to the competition in Wiesbaden from March 21–26, with winners advancing to the AMC-level event later this year.
This week’s training began in the classroom before moving to day and night field navigation, said 1st Sgt. Javier L. Pioquinto, senior enlisted advisor for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, USAG Italy. Participants located points across the terrain using only maps, compasses and their training.
“There were a lot of difficult concepts, but these Soldiers worked through it,” Pioquinto said, adding that confidence “was through the roof” by the end.
The religious affairs specialists and military police “walked away feeling like they actually learned something,” he said. “They saw tremendous results, and we are proud of the outcome.”
Social Sharing