Maryland’s Best Warrior Competition 2023
Story by 2nd Lt Enjoli Saunders
BALTIMORE — Over the course of four days, 13 participants, from three countries competed to be named top soldier, March 8-12, 2023, at various locations in Maryland. The Maryland Army National Guard hosted the Best Warrior Competition which provided an opportunity to recognize high performing soldiers that overcome a variety of physical and mental obstacles.
The competitors were soldiers from Estonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the Maryland National Guard. The competition tests physical endurance, mental toughness, leadership abilities, as well as analytical and decision-making skills. Events include an obstacle course, medical drag, land navigation, weapons systems dismemberment, and a stress shoot.
“Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect coming into it, I just knew it would be a bunch of tasks, difficult things to accomplish,” said U.S. Army Sgt. James Long, a military police officer assigned to the 29th Military Police Company, MDARNG. “Working with partner forces, I find it is a good opportunity to train with people that I wouldn’t. So that’s a unique experience to meet people, get together, share some camaraderie, and some hard times.”
To be successful, competitors had to demonstrate their ability to communicate, collaborate, and cooperate both in a team environment as well as individually.
“Soldiers, noncommissioned officers, and officers have the opportunity to go back and forth and exchange their experiences, learn from each other, “ said Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina Capt. Igor Emkic, a reconnaissance company commander. “It’s always good to come here. You meet very good professional people and I hope I get the opportunity to come here again.”
A final challenge is presented to the competitors before the winners are announced. Participants must don their dress uniforms and answer questions on various Army related topics as well as current events in front of a board of senior leaders.
“After the events we actually like to talk about it, go through someone’s mistakes, what we can learn about it and what we are going to do differently; we work as a team,” said Estonian Defense Force Staff Sgt. Maru-Mehis Kore, assigned to the 1st infantry Brigade Engineer Battalion. “This is my third year in a row working with the Maryland National Guard. I think it’s really good, it gives you good insight into how other countries are operating, mostly on a tactical level but you can get some insight into an operational and strategic level also.”
The competition wrapped up with a ceremony to recognize the winners in each category and present them with awards. The winner for Soldier of the Year was U.S. Army Spc. Adam Merton, 29th Military Police Company Detachment, the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year winner was U.S. Army Sgt. Chase Stewart, Alpha Co., 629th Military Intelligence Battalion, and the Officer of the Year winner was U.S. Army Capt. Jacob Nickoles, 581st Troop Command Detachment. The International Noncommissioned Officer of the Year winner was Estonian Defense Force Staff Sgt. Maru-Mehis Kore, assigned to the 1st Infantry Brigade, Engineer Battalion. The winners will move on to compete in the regional best warrior competition later this year.
“The Best Warrior Competition is the heart of the warrior ethos,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, commander of the Maryland Army National Guard. “I am proud to recognize these soldiers for their professionalism and hard work. The added value of the competition is the opportunity to train soldier-to-soldier with our partners from Estonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.”
The Maryland National Guard celebrates the 30th anniversary with Estonia and 20th anniversary with Bosnia-Herzegovina through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program this year.
