IMCOM-Europe Best Warrior competitors test marksmanship for German Schützenschnur

By Bethany HuffMarch 30, 2026

2026 IMCOM–E Best Warrior Competition: Day 3
1 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Joselyn Aguilar with U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach fires a G36 rifle ahead of a Schützenschnur event during the 2026 Installation Management Command–Europe Best Warrior Competition at Stadtallendorf, Germany, March 24, 2026.

The IMCOM–E Best Warrior Competition is designed to test each Soldier’s technical and tactical proficiency, physical fitness, and resiliency through a series of obstacles—to enhance expertise, training, professionalism, and esprit de corps.

The best qualified Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of this competition will potentially represent Installation Management Command headquarters in the Army Materiel Command Best Squad Competition and compete for the title of AMC Best Warrior. (U.S. Army photo by Jacob Maturen) (Photo Credit: Jacob Maturen)
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IMCOM-Europe Best Warrior Competition challenges Soldiers in technical proficiency and warrior tasks on day three
2 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Valeria Martinez assists a fellow shooter with securing a leg holster during the German Schuetzenschnur qualification event at the 2026 Installation Management Command-Europe Best Warrior Competition at McCully Barracks, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, Germany, March 24, 2026. The IMCOM-Europe Best Warrior Competition tests Soldiers’ technical and tactical proficiency, physical fitness and resilience through a series of events designed to enhance expertise, training, professionalism and esprit de corps. The top Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer will advance to represent Installation Management Command at the Army Materiel Command Best Squad Competition. (U.S. Army photo by Bethany Huff) (Photo Credit: Bethany Huff) VIEW ORIGINAL
IMCOM-Europe Best Warrior Competition challenges Soldiers in technical proficiency and warrior tasks on day three
3 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A German Soldier observes a U.S. Soldier during the German Schuetzenschnur qualification event at the 2026 Installation Management Command-Europe Best Warrior Competition at McCully Barracks, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, Germany, March 24, 2026. The German Schuetzenschnur is a marksmanship award open to eligible Soldiers and requires participants to qualify on a series of weapons proficiency events. (U.S. Army photo by Bethany Huff) (Photo Credit: Bethany Huff) VIEW ORIGINAL
IMCOM-Europe Best Warrior Competition challenges Soldiers in technical proficiency and warrior tasks on day three
4 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A German Soldier provides instruction to U.S. Soldiers prior to the German Schuetzenschnur qualification event at the 2026 Installation Management Command-Europe Best Warrior Competition at McCully Barracks, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, Germany, March 24, 2026. The German Schuetzenschnur is a marksmanship award open to eligible Soldiers and requires participants to qualify on a series of weapons proficiency events. (U.S. Army photo by Bethany Huff) (Photo Credit: Bethany Huff) VIEW ORIGINAL
IMCOM-Europe Best Warrior Competition challenges Soldiers in technical proficiency and warrior tasks on day three
5 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Valeria Martinez, left, receives guidance from a German Soldier, right, during the German Schuetzenschnur qualification event at the 2026 Installation Management Command-Europe Best Warrior Competition at McCully Barracks, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, Germany, March 24, 2026. The German Schuetzenschnur is a marksmanship award open to eligible Soldiers and requires participants to qualify on a series of weapons proficiency events. (U.S. Army photo by Bethany Huff) (Photo Credit: Bethany Huff) VIEW ORIGINAL
2026 IMCOM–E Best Warrior Competition: Day 3
6 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Henning with U.S. Army Garrison Italy stands for a photo with a G36 rifle ahead of a Schützenschnur event during the 2026 Installation Management Command–Europe Best Warrior Competition at Stadtallendorf, Germany, March 24, 2026.

The IMCOM–E Best Warrior Competition is designed to test each Soldier’s technical and tactical proficiency, physical fitness, and resiliency through a series of obstacles—to enhance expertise, training, professionalism, and esprit de corps.

The best qualified Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of this competition will potentially represent Installation Management Command headquarters in the Army Materiel Command Best Squad Competition and compete for the title of AMC Best Warrior. (U.S. Army photo by Jacob Maturen) (Photo Credit: Jacob Maturen)
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2026 IMCOM–E Best Warrior Competition: Day 3
7 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Valeria Martinez with U.S. Army Garrison Italy stands for a photo with a G36 rifle ahead of a Schützenschnur event during the 2026 Installation Management Command–Europe Best Warrior Competition at Stadtallendorf, Germany, March 24, 2026.

The IMCOM–E Best Warrior Competition is designed to test each Soldier’s technical and tactical proficiency, physical fitness, and resiliency through a series of obstacles—to enhance expertise, training, professionalism, and esprit de corps.

The best qualified Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of this competition will potentially represent Installation Management Command headquarters in the Army Materiel Command Best Squad Competition and compete for the title of AMC Best Warrior. (U.S. Army photo by Jacob Maturen) (Photo Credit: Jacob Maturen)
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2026 IMCOM–E Best Warrior Competition: Day 3
8 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Joselyn Aguilar with U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach stands for a photo with a G36 rifle ahead of a Schützenschnur event during the 2026 Installation Management Command–Europe Best Warrior Competition at Stadtallendorf, Germany, March 24, 2026.

The IMCOM–E Best Warrior Competition is designed to test each Soldier’s technical and tactical proficiency, physical fitness, and resiliency through a series of obstacles—to enhance expertise, training, professionalism, and esprit de corps.

The best qualified Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of this competition will potentially represent Installation Management Command headquarters in the Army Materiel Command Best Squad Competition and compete for the title of AMC Best Warrior. (U.S. Army photo by Jacob Maturen) (Photo Credit: Jacob Maturen)
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2026 IMCOM–E Best Warrior Competition: Day 3
9 / 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Matthew Liao with U.S. Army Garrison Poland stands for a photo with a G36 rifle ahead of a Schützenschnur event during the 2026 Installation Management Command–Europe Best Warrior Competition at Stadtallendorf, Germany, March 24, 2026.

The IMCOM–E Best Warrior Competition is designed to test each Soldier’s technical and tactical proficiency, physical fitness, and resiliency through a series of obstacles—to enhance expertise, training, professionalism, and esprit de corps.

The best qualified Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of this competition will potentially represent Installation Management Command headquarters in the Army Materiel Command Best Squad Competition and compete for the title of AMC Best Warrior. (U.S. Army photo by Jacob Maturen) (Photo Credit: Jacob Maturen)
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STADTALLENDORF, Germany— In between physically demanding events, Soldiers competing in the Installation Management Command-Europe Best Warrior Competition stepped onto a German range for a different kind of challenge.

Through a partnership with Landeskommando Hessen, Bundswehr, competitors and other Soldiers had the opportunity to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge for Weapons, known as the Schützenschnur, March 24, 2026.

The qualification was not part of the competition scoring but offered a chance to train under German standards and engage directly with host-nation forces.

Approximately 20 soldiers participated in the event, including four competitors. By the end of the qualification, five Soldier earned the badge, three of which were competitors.

For many, the experience came down to adapting quickly to a different system and standards.

Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Carbone said the training forces competitors to perform under pressure in unfamiliar conditions.

“This is an event that’s teaching [competitors] those skills under conditions that may not be favorable to them” he continued.

German cadre from Landeskommando Hessen ran the range and evaluated participants, reinforcing interoperability between U.S. forces and the Bundeswehr.

The IMCOM-Europe Best Warrior Competition brings together Soldiers from across the command to test their physical fitness, technical skills and ability to perform under pressure.

Even outside of scored events, opportunities like the Schützenschnur qualification contribute to readiness while strengthening partnerships with host-nation forces.