{"id":4257,"date":"2020-03-12T20:42:29","date_gmt":"2020-03-12T20:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/?p=4257"},"modified":"2020-05-29T01:11:59","modified_gmt":"2020-05-29T01:11:59","slug":"the-few-who-dare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/2020\/03\/12\/the-few-who-dare\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Warrior Competition 2020 – The Few Who Dare"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1590612310913{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1590612321879{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1590622617075{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]Article By: Spc. Christina Chang; Video by: Staff Sgt. Paul Porter; Photos by: Sgt. Allen Griffith & Sgt. James Nowell-Coleman, all are members of the 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
\n<\/em><\/sup>Sgt. Vinko Brki\u0107 and Pfc. Armin Had\u017ei\u0107, both are members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina
\n<\/em><\/sup>[\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lgESUMqtOIw” css=”.vc_custom_1590612333815{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”][vc_text_separator title=”The Competitors – Soldiers – Noncommissioned Officers – Officers” css=”.vc_custom_1590612743651{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1590609989086{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1590612001281{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”][vc_toggle title=”Cpl. Siim Kuut” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590611566033{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>Estonian Defence Forces<\/a>
\nMachine Gunner<\/p>\n

\n

“I hope I’ll do well to represent my country well. This is an opportunity for me to prove myself.”<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Pfc. Cody Riden” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590675726880{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>D Co.,\u00a01st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment<\/a>
\n11B – Infantry<\/p>\n

\n

“I’m looking forward to taking advantage of the whole competition, meeting new people and working with the soldiers from our allied countries.”<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Spc. Kyle Standifer” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590611602543{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>629th Military Intelligence Battalion<\/a>
\n42A – Human Resources Specialist<\/p>\n

\n

“I wish my competitors all the best. I hope you seeing my back motivates you to finish 2nd.”<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Cpl. Senad Sarajki\u0107” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590611618245{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina<\/a>
\nDemining<\/p>\n

\n

“I will represent my country in the best possible way.”<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Spc. Josiah Taft” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590611631455{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>104th Area Support Medical Company<\/a>
\n68W – Health Care Specialist<\/p>\n

\n

“I appreciate the opportunity to represent my unit and hopefully represent Maryland, coming up, in the regional competition.”<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Sgt. Lucas Bagley” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590611643703{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>32nd Civil Support Team<\/a>
\n74D – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, & Nuclear Specialist<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like to hype myself up on certain events, I just wanna get out there and do the best that I can. Everyone\u2019s here for a reason, hopefully I do the best, but who knows, I\u2019d like to see what everybody has.\u201d<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Sgt. Matija Ivakovic” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590611654300{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina<\/a>
\nInfantry<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis means a lot to me because this is a great experience for me. We don\u2019t have many chances to do some [tasks] like we\u2019re doing here and this helps me in my job.\u201d<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1590611990347{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”][vc_toggle title=”Staff Sgt. Katriin Ivanov” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590611669488{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>Estonian Defence Forces<\/a>
\nMedic<\/p>\n

\n

“It\u2019s an honor to represent my country and the Defence League. I\u2019ll give my best and do as best as I can.”<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Sgt. Austin Lewis” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590611706456{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>200th Military Police Company<\/a>
\n31B – Military Police<\/p>\n

\n

“We had a company, battalion, and brigade competition and I won ALL of those.”<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Sgt. Brian Murphy” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590611689378{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>29th Combat Aviation Brigade<\/a>
\n<\/strong>25C – Radio Operator-Maintainer<\/p>\n

\n

“My head is in the right space and I\u2019m prepared mentally and physically for the Best Warrior Competition.”<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”1st Lt. Anes Halilovic” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590611511291{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina<\/a>
\nPlatoon Commander, 2nd Helicopter Squadron<\/p>\n

\n

“What I most like is the stress shooting, it’s really exciting to move and shoot. I think this would be the most exciting part of the competition.”<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”2nd Lt. Kart Praks” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590611882865{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>Estonian Defence Forces<\/a>
\nEstonian Home Guard Volunteer<\/p>\n

\n

“It’s a great honor to represent my country. Although I’m a navy officer, I’m ready to do the [US] Army battle drills.”<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”1st Lt. Benjamin Sanders” size=”sm” use_custom_heading=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1590675692547{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>200th Military Police Company<\/a>
\n31A \u2013 Military Police Officer<\/p>\n

\n

“Getting opportunities to do all of these different [training] is beneficial to me developing as an officer and a future leader.\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m just glad to be here and hope I do my best.”<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_toggle][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1590612398864{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1590612390818{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]\"\"<\/a>Warriors from the Maryland Army National Guard, Estonian Defence Forces, and Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina proved themselves at the 2020 Maryland Best Warrior Competition from March 12-15, 2020. This year\u2019s competition took place at the H. Steven Blum Military Reservation in Glen Arm, Maryland, and the Lauderick Creek Military Reservation in Abingdon, Maryland.<\/p>\n

No matter the time, place, or circumstance, Citizen Soldiers and Airmen across the country stand ready to respond in times of need and serve their communities. Part of their readiness comes from training in skills essential to their role as a warrior \u2013 skills that were put to the test March 12-15 during the four-day Maryland National Guard Best Warrior Competition.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cA warrior is someone who protects and serves their country,\u201d said Cpl. Siim Kuut, a machine gunner in the Estonian Defence Forces.<\/p>\n

In Maryland, and across components of the U.S. Army and their international state partners, soldiers compete at the company, battalion and then brigade levels to move on to the state level. The 13 competitors here have earned their spot, and competed for the title of Maryland\u2019s Best soldier and non-commissioned officer. The competition matches the best of the best and recognizes those who perform to a higher standard, and encourages other service members to train to a higher standard.<\/p>\n

The annual competition challenges each soldier to maintain and excel in their soldier tasks and drills and shows what it takes in order to best prepare for emergency situations and other unexpected circumstances.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Those tasks on day one of the competition included: a 12-mile ruck march, warrior tasks like reacting to enemy contact, weapons assembly, casualty evacuation, and employing a hand grenade. On day two, the 13 competitors fired under a variety of physically and situationally stressful events, and overcame a timed obstacle course.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I like most is the stress shooting, it\u2019s really exciting to move and shoot. I think this is the most exciting part of the competition,\u201d said 1st Lt. Anes Halilovic of the Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a Platoon Commander with the 2nd Helicopter Squadron.<\/p>\n

On day three, the contenders tested their land navigation abilities using the age-old tools of compass and map, then performed a physical fitness test featuring exercises in preparation for the new Army Combat Fitness Test.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>On the fourth and final day, the competitors donned their dress uniforms for an appearance board, where they confidently answered questions and had their uniforms inspected.<\/p>\n

After their appearance board the competitors were recognized at the competition\u2019s awards ceremony.<\/p>\n

Sgt. Brian Murphy, a radio operator-maintainer with the Maryland Army National Guard\u2019s Combat Aviation Brigade, Pfc. Cody Riden, an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, and 1st Lt. Benjamin Sanders, a military police officer in the 200th Military Police Company, emerged as the NCO, Soldier, and Officer of the Year, respectively.<\/p>\n

Murphy said \u201cmy head is in the right space. And I\u2019m prepared mentally and physically for the Best Warrior Competition,\u201d demonstrating that he\u2019ll be ready to compete at the next regional level.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Riden said he was \u201clooking forward to taking advantage of the whole competition, [and] meeting new people,\u201d in the upcoming regional competition, and he \u201cenjoyed working with the soldiers from our allied countries\u201d in the one he recently finished.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Although the international competitors will not advance to the regional level, this was an opportunity to represent their country. Lt. Anes Halilovic, a platoon commander of the 2nd Helicopter Squadron from the Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, was recognized as the International Company Grade Officer of the Year. Sgt Matija Ivakovic, an infantryman from the Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, won International NCO of the Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis means a lot to me because this is a great experience for me,\u201d Ivakovic said. \u201cWe don\u2019t have many chances to do some [tasks] like we\u2019re doing here, and this helps me in my job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cpl. Senad Sarajkic, a demining specialist from the Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, was recognized as International Soldier of the Year.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cI will represent my country in the best possible way,\u201d Sarajkie said. He and the other service members in the competition definitely accomplished this goal.<\/p>\n

2nd Lt. Benjamin Sanders, a military police officer from the 200th Military Police Company, was awarded the MDNG Company Grade Officer of the Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting opportunities to do all of these different [trainings] is beneficial to me developing as an officer and a future leader,\u201d Sanders said.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1590673009962{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1590673019455{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”][vc_text_separator title=”View the photo gallery from the event:” css=”.vc_custom_1590673149509{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_raw_html css=”.vc_custom_1590674126362{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]JTNDYSUyMGRhdGEtZmxpY2tyLWVtYmVkJTNEJTIydHJ1ZSUyMiUyMGRhdGEtaGVhZGVyJTNEJTIydHJ1ZSUyMiUyMGRhdGEtZm9vdGVyJTNEJTIydHJ1ZSUyMiUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mbGlja3IuY29tJTJGZ3AlMkZtZG5nJTJGMzdHMzNHJTIyJTIwdGl0bGUlM0QlMjIyMDIwJTIwQmVzdCUyMFdhcnJpb3IlMjBDb21wZXRpdGlvbiUyMiUzRSUzQ2ltZyUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGbGl2ZS5zdGF0aWNmbGlja3IuY29tJTJGNjU1MzUlMkY0OTk0NTEwNTcxMV9mNWU0NDQ0ZTQwX2MuanBnJTIyJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI4MDAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjI1MzMlMjIlMjBhbHQlM0QlMjIyMDIwJTIwQmVzdCUyMFdhcnJpb3IlMjBDb21wZXRpdGlvbiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRmElM0UlM0NzY3JpcHQlMjBhc3luYyUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMiUyRiUyRmVtYmVkci5mbGlja3IuY29tJTJGYXNzZXRzJTJGY2xpZW50LWNvZGUuanMlMjIlMjBjaGFyc2V0JTNEJTIydXRmLTglMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0U=[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the toughest tests of a warrior\u2019s resolution and training is the Best Warrior Competition. The competition is a multi-day marathon of mental and physical trials, pushing these elite service members to their limits. This year\u2019s competition is conducted at multiple locations throughout Maryland. The competition is open to junior enlisted, noncommissioned officers, and commissioned officers of the Maryland Army and Air National Guard, as well as, soldiers from the Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Estonian Defence Force.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":141,"featured_media":4289,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4257","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/141"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4257"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4257\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7597,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4257\/revisions\/7597"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}