PHOTO: Sgt. Elizabeth Soter, a Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldier assigned to Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment, gets relieved and congratulated by Wisconsin State Command Sgt. Maj. Curtis Patrouille and her sponsor Staff Sgt. Chris Bossert, a Wisconsin National Guard Soldier assigned to Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment, after she completes a 12-mile ruck march during the 2023 Wisconsin Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy, Wis., Apr. 22.
Soldiers from across the Wisconsin Army National Guard gathered at Fort McCoy April 20-23 where they endured wind, sleet, snow and rain to crown winners of the 2023 Wisconsin Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition.
The four-day competition tested the Soldiers’ physical and mental stamina, as well as their knowledge of military tactics and procedures.
Spc. William Warner, a sniper with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment, from Seymour, Wisconsin, and Staff Sgt. Michael Petersen, a training noncommissioned officer with Charlie Troop, 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry Regiment from Arlington, Wisconsin, emerged atop the enlisted and NCO categories respectively.
The 11 Soldiers and 11 NCOs who participated in the competition were evaluated on their proficiency in a variety of military skills during several grueling events, including a call-for-fire scenario, M4 rifle and M17 pistol qualification, day and night land navigation, a written test, a timed essay, an appearance board, Army Warrior Tasks, a 12-mile ruck march, and the Army Combat Fitness Test.
