Montana National Guard soldiers compete to see who is “Best Warrior”

HELENA — Yearly, troopers from throughout Montana collect collectively at Fort Harrison to compete within the “Finest Warrior Competitors.” Troopers compete towards one another for the honour of successful the title “Soldier of the Yr.”

On Tuesday, eight troopers from throughout Montana started a three-day competitors to earn the title of “Finest Warrior.” The troopers have been examined on a wide range of abilities.

“At this time is the impediment course going down behind me. And from that, it should be a data abilities take a look at, primary soldier abilities, issues like treating a casualty, utilizing a radio, assembling and disassembling a weapon,” mentioned Main Ryan Finnegan, the Public Affairs Officer for the Montana Nationwide Guard.

The competitors runs from dawn to sunset and may be fairly grueling.

“All of those abilities are issues that each soldier ought to know how one can do. However while you put them again to again like this over three days and make it a contest, it actually provides folks a chance to rise to the event, show that they’re one of the best, and present that they’ve what it takes to be one of the best warrior for Montana,” mentioned Finnegan.

One large problem is that the contributors do not know what competitions they’re headed to subsequent. They’re advised what they should do proper on the spot, however what comes subsequent is a thriller.

Sergeant Gabrielle Beveridge was the one feminine on this 12 months’s competitors, and he or she says you gotta be on the prepared.

“You simply obtained to remain in your toes, maintain an open mindset. Like I mentioned, I did not getting this occasion. I simply obtained to let it go. March on. I’ve an superior sponsor. He is obtained bag filled with meals and snacks… Simply hydrate, eat and simply do one of the best you’ll be able to and maintain a transparent mindset is crucial factor,” mentioned Beveridge.

The competitors is about greater than successful although, the opponents construct mutual respect for one another, and bond over the problem.

“Right here is such a small group of us, we’re all already like fairly tight-knit. I’ve two junior troopers right here with me, additionally representing the one on one each evening. And us three have been fairly tight on this, on the scorecards and simply fairly tight protecting one another motivated and watching over one another,” mentioned Beveridge.

The winners of Montana’s Finest Warrior Competitors is Specialist Corporal Mathew Lee, who gained Soldier of the Yr, and Sergeant Zach Sommerfield, who gained Noncommissioned Officer of the Yr.

They are going to subsequent compete within the regional competitors the place they’ve an opportunity to earn a visit to the nationwide competitors.