GRAFENWÖHR, Germany
– Soldiers from across the 7th Engineer Brigade pushed themselves to their physical and mental limits during this year’s 7th Engineer Brigade Best Squad Competition. Over several days, squads competed in a series of rigorous training events, obstacle courses, and tactical lanes to determine which team best exemplifies the Army’s core values of discipline, readiness, and cohesion.
The competition tested Soldiers not only on their individual physical fitness and tactical skills but also on the teamwork and trust essential for mission success. The event served as a platform to reinforce fundamental warrior tasks and build cohesive, combat-ready teams.
“The board incorporated basic Soldier knowledge questions alongside the events, such as land navigation and patrolling,” explained Capt. Courtney Linnemeier. “As a construction company, we often focus on our construction tasks, but this competition brought us back to the basics. It reminded us of the importance of honing fundamental Soldier skills.”
The exercises challenged Soldiers to perform warrior tasks efficiently in a field setting. The winning team demonstrated exceptional communication and trust, which allowed them to excel above their peers. Events included land navigation, patrolling, grenade handling, and other essential combat skills.
Spc. Matthew Falone emphasized the broader significance of the competition: “This competition is big within the Army because it not only prepares us for wartime conditions but also instills knowledge and skills we may not have known before. It builds the mental and physical resilience required for combat.”
The 7th Engineer Brigade Best Squad Competition highlighted the discipline, skill, and resilience of Soldiers across the theater. It reinforced the Army’s commitment to building cohesive, combat-ready teams while preparing Soldiers for the challenges of wartime conditions. By focusing on fundamental warrior tasks such as shooting, land navigation, patrolling, and communication, the competition strengthened individual readiness and overall unit effectiveness.
“Basic skills don’t require much—just the ability to shoot, move, and communicate effectively,” said 1st Lt. Benjamin Flaherty. “I’m proud to say our candidates performed as needed. This competition showed us where we can improve and how to implement training for the rest of the company. We’re on our way to competing at the 21st Best Squad level.”
Through events like this, the Army continues to emphasize the importance of mastering the basics, fostering teamwork, and upholding the values that define what it means to be a Soldier.
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