{"id":888,"date":"2017-03-17T19:42:29","date_gmt":"2017-03-17T19:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/?p=888"},"modified":"2017-08-09T17:09:30","modified_gmt":"2017-08-09T17:09:30","slug":"meet-the-best-warriors-2017-best-warrior-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/2017\/03\/17\/meet-the-best-warriors-2017-best-warrior-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Best Warriors: 2017 Best Warrior Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NeMOM2CsDOc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">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. This year\u2019s competition includes soldiers, noncommissioned officers, and commissioned officers of the Maryland\u00a0Army and Air National Guard as well as soldiers from the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Estonian Defence Forces.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h1 class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">Meet this year\u2019s Best Warriors.<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Soldier Competitors<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/h3>\n<table style=\"height: 168px;width: 522.549px\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 29px\">\n<td style=\"width: 211px;height: 29px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/consentino.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-903 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/consentino-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/consentino-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/consentino.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 317.549px;height: 29px\"><b>Spc. Samuel Consentino<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a0HHC, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/58EMIB\/\">58th EMIB<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/military.maryland.gov\/NG\">Maryland Army National Guard<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalguard.com\/35f-intelligence-analyst\">35F &#8211; Intelligence Analyst<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalguard.com\/35f-intelligence-analyst\"><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I\u2019ve gone through a bunch of challenges in my military and personal career, and I feel like I\u2019m ready for another one.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 125px\">\n<td style=\"width: 211px;height: 125px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/cunningham.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-904\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/cunningham-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/cunningham-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/cunningham.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 317.549px;height: 125px\"><b>Spc.\u00a0Michael Cunningham<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a0HHC, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/1297th-CSSB-153580061350010\">1297th CSSB<br \/>\n<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/military.maryland.gov\/NG\">Maryland Army National Guard<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalguard.com\/74d-chemical-biological-radiological-and-nuclear-specialist\">74D &#8211; Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Specialist<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I think I am a well rounded service member who takes the time to learn and maintain these skills.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 183px\">\n<td style=\"width: 211px;height: 183px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/flint.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-905\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/flint-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/flint-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/flint.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 317.549px;height: 183px\"><b>Spc. Phillip Flint<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Bravo175\/\">Co. B, 1-175th Inf. Regt.<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/military.maryland.gov\/NG\">Maryland Army National Guard<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalguard.com\/careers\/infantry#11b\">11B &#8211; Infantry<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;The three years that I have been in the National Guard I\u2019ve had a lot of good mentors who have taught me well, and I think that their training will help me do well in this competition.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 147px\">\n<td style=\"width: 211px;height: 147px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/kago.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-919\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/kago-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/kago-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/kago.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 317.549px;height: 147px\"><b>Sgt. Urmo K\u00e4go<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a01st Infantry Brigade<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mil.ee\/en\/defence-forces\">Estonian Defence Force<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mil.ee\/en\/defence-forces\">s<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>:\u00a0Learning Technician<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>&#8220;I will try and do my best and see how it goes against the other country\u2019s soldiers.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 34px\">\n<td style=\"width: 211px;height: 34px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/karic.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-916\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/karic-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/karic-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/karic.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 317.549px;height: 34px\"><b>Pvt. Vedad Kari\u0107<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a0Tactical Support Brigade<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/os.mod.gov.ba\/Default.aspx?pageIndex=1&amp;langTag=en-US\">Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>:\u00a0EOD Technician<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I will try to give everything for the best results.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 123px\">\n<td style=\"width: 211px;height: 123px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/rodriguez.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-906\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/rodriguez-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/rodriguez-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/rodriguez.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 317.549px;height: 123px\"><b>Spc.\u00a0Connor Rodriguez<br \/>\n<\/b><em>Unit<\/em>: 2-20th SF\u00a0Augmentation Det.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/military.maryland.gov\/NG\">Maryland Army National Guard<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>:\u00a0&#8212;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>&#8220;What makes me suited for this competition is my personal, educational, and military background. I feel like I\u2019m pretty well versed in the subject matter that they are going to be testing us on, and I feel like I\u2019m up for a challenge.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>NCO\u00a0Competitors<\/strong><\/h3>\n<table style=\"height: 168px;width: 523.215px\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 119px\">\n<td style=\"width: 201px;height: 119px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/contic.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-907 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/contic-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/contic-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/contic.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 315.215px;height: 119px\"><b>Sgt.\u00a0Charles Contic<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/32ndCST\">32nd CST<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/military.maryland.gov\/NG\">Maryland Army National Guard<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalguard.com\/74d-chemical-biological-radiological-and-nuclear-specialist\">74D &#8211; Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Specialist<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>&#8220;We\u2019ve all studied and prepared in our own ways, and I think it\u2019s going to be a good competition.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 11px\">\n<td style=\"width: 201px;height: 11px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/deal.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-912 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/deal-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/deal-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/deal.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 315.215px;height: 11px\"><b>Tech Sgt. Brenton Deal<br \/>\n<\/b>Unit:\u00a0175th Medical Group<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.175wg.ang.af.mil\/\">Maryland Air National Guard<\/a><br \/>\nMilitary Occupation: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.airforce.com\/careers\/detail\/bioenvironmental-engineering\">4B0X1 &#8211;\u00a0Bioenvironmental Engineering Specialists<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>&#8220;My\u00a0willingness to put forth all the time required to train both physically and mentally for an Army-centric event. Most of it, events, regulation, doctrine, I\u2019ve never seen before in my life, but I\u2019ve taken the time to do it, and do it willingly.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 250px\">\n<td style=\"width: 201px;height: 250px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/deal.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-908\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/hawley-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/hawley-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/hawley.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/> <\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 315.215px;height: 250px\"><b>Staff Sgt. James Hawley<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a0110th IO Bn.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/military.maryland.gov\/NG\">Maryland Army National Guard<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalguard.com\/careers\/ground-defense#19d\">19D &#8211; Cavalry Scout<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I love the Army, love what I do. I love doing it and sharing it with others, I want to take it the next level.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 136px\">\n<td style=\"width: 201px;height: 136px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/Ivakovic.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-917\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/Ivakovic-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/Ivakovic-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/Ivakovic.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 315.215px;height: 136px\"><b>Sgt. Matija Ivakovi\u0107<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a03rd Inf. Bn., 6th Inf Bde<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/os.mod.gov.ba\/Default.aspx?pageIndex=1&amp;langTag=en-US\">Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>:\u00a0Infantry<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I\u2019ll try to be the best.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 141px\">\n<td style=\"width: 201px;height: 141px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/jacoby.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-909\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/jacoby-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/jacoby-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/jacoby.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 315.215px;height: 141px\"><b>Staff Sgt. Joseph Jacoby<br \/>\n<\/b><em>Unit<\/em>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sapperco\">253rd Eng.\u00a0Co.<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/military.maryland.gov\/NG\">Maryland Army National Guard<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalguard.com\/careers\/engineer#12b\">12B Combat Engineer<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>&#8220;It\u2019s [BWC] one of those career changing events that I want to apply myself to. I want to be a good example for my soldiers, and if an opportunity like this comes along, you can\u2019t say no.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 60px\">\n<td style=\"width: 201px;height: 60px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/perry.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-911\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/perry-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/perry-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/perry.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 315.215px;height: 60px\"><b>Staff Sgt. Nathan Perry<br \/>\n<\/b><em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/1100TASMG\">1100th TASMG<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/military.maryland.gov\/NG\">Maryland Army National Guard<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalguard.com\/15p-aviation-operations-specialist\">15P &#8211; Aviation Operations Specialist<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;They\u2019re here for a certain reason. They look pretty tough, but I don\u2019t cower to easy.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 153px\">\n<td style=\"width: 201px;height: 153px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/ring.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-920\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/ring-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/ring-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/ring.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 315.215px;height: 153px\"><b>Staff Sgt. Martin Ring<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a01st Infantry Brigade<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mil.ee\/en\/defence-forces\">Estonian Defence Force<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mil.ee\/en\/defence-forces\">s<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>: Mechanic<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>&#8220;I am in great physical shape, so I think I can do any of the physical tasks, and I\u2019m well rounded in every other aspect.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><strong>Officer Competitors<\/strong><\/h3>\n<table style=\"height: 168px;width: 523.372px\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 184px\">\n<td style=\"width: 202px;height: 184px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/emkic.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-918\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/emkic-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/emkic-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/emkic.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 314.372px;height: 184px\"><b>2nd Lt. Igor Emki\u0107<br \/>\n<\/b><em>Unit<\/em>: 1st Inf. Bn., 6th Inf. Bde.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/os.mod.gov.ba\/Default.aspx?pageIndex=1&amp;langTag=en-US\">Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>: Infantry<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>&#8220;We had trials that proved that we are the best, and so we came to do our best and represent<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>Bosnia and Herzegovina in the best way.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 233px\">\n<td style=\"width: 202px;height: 233px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/franklin.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-913\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/franklin-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/franklin-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/franklin.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 314.372px;height: 233px\"><b>Capt. Alexi Franklin<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/32ndCST\">32nd CST<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/military.maryland.gov\/NG\">Maryland Army National Guard<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalguard.com\/11-infantry-officer\">11A &#8211; Infantry Officer<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I think I\u2019ll do pretty good. It\u2019s a stiff competition. I think that a lot of it is going to be preparation, but also luck.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 159px\">\n<td style=\"width: 202px;height: 159px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/kuznetsov.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-921\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/kuznetsov-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/kuznetsov-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/kuznetsov.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 314.372px;height: 159px\"><b>Maj. Vladimir Kuznetsov<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a01st Infantry Brigade<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mil.ee\/en\/defence-forces\">Estonian Defence Force<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mil.ee\/en\/defence-forces\">s<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>: Staff Officer<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>&#8220;I\u2019ve always been competitive in different competitions in the Estonian Defense Forces. I always like the APFT and all the military tasks. So I think that this is a good chance to try out my skills.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 3px\">\n<td style=\"width: 202px;height: 3px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/rippoen.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-914\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/rippoen-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/rippoen-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/rippoen.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 314.372px;height: 3px\"><b>Warrant Officer\u00a0Roger Rippeon Jr.<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Unit<\/em>: C Co., 2-224th Avn. Regt.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/military.maryland.gov\/NG\">Maryland Army National Guard<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalguard.com\/153d-uh-60-black-hawk-pilot\">153D UH-60 Black Hawk Pilot<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I\u2019m always constantly striving to do the best for the organization, and represent the warrant officer cohort and try to do the best in this competition the best that I possibly can.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 87px\">\n<td style=\"width: 202px;height: 87px\"><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/smith.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-915\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/smith-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/smith-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/smith.jpg 602w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 314.372px;height: 87px\"><b>2nd Lt.\u00a0Christopher Smith<br \/>\n<\/b><em>Unit<\/em>:\u00a0C Co., 1-175th Inf. Regt.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/military.maryland.gov\/NG\">Maryland Army National Guard<\/a><br \/>\n<em>Military Occupation<\/em>:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalguard.com\/11-infantry-officer\">11A &#8211; Infantry Officer<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;As an enlisted soldier, I did a lot of training in the warrior tasks and battle drills, which we are covering here. I think that generally all leaders, especially small unit leaders owe it to their soldiers to maintain proficiency in these tasks to set an example and to compete in these types of events.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/BWC_2017.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-941\" src=\"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/BWC_2017.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2563\" height=\"1138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/BWC_2017.jpg 2563w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/BWC_2017-300x133.jpg 300w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/BWC_2017-768x341.jpg 768w, https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2017\/03\/BWC_2017-1024x455.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2563px) 100vw, 2563px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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. This year\u2019s competition includes soldiers, noncommissioned officers, and commissioned officers<a href=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/2017\/03\/17\/meet-the-best-warriors-2017-best-warrior-competition\/\">&nbsp;&nbsp;Read the Rest&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":139,"featured_media":940,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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":[2,810],"tags":[58,266,273,75,145],"class_list":["post-888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-state-partnership-program","tag-best-warrior-competition","tag-bosnia-herzegovina","tag-estonia-defense-forces","tag-maryland-air-national-guard","tag-maryland-army-national-guard"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/888","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\/139"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=888"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/888\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":963,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/888\/revisions\/963"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}