Army National Guard Specialist Erick Barksdale, a Washington Heights, New York City resident, participates in New York Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition
Latham, NY (04/08/2019) — Army National Guard Specialist Erick Barksdale, a Washington Heights resident, was one of five Soldiers who competed in the New York Army National Guard's Best Warrior competition at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill, March 27-30.
Barksdale, who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2016, is a member of the 107th Military Police Company which is based in Fort Hamilton.
He was selected as the top junior enlisted Soldier in the New York National Guard's 369th Sustainment Brigade following a brigade-level Best Warrior contest. He then participated against Soldiers from the New York National Guard's three other brigade level commands at Camp Smith.
The Best Warrior Competition tests Soldiers knowledge and skills in a variety of situations.
The competition is split into two categories: junior enlisted, for Soldiers in the rank of private to specialist; and NCO, covering the ranks of sergeants, staff sergeants and sergeants first class.
The winners of the state event then compete at the regional and then national level against other National Guard Soldiers. Eventually the top Soldiers in the Army National Guard, Active Army and Army Reserve compete against each other to be the best in the Army.
The evaluated tasks are specifically designed to mirror today's operating environment, according to Sgt. Maj. Matthew Gutzweiller, the operations sergeant major for the competition.
Tasks included urban warfare simulations, basic Soldier tasks like operating a radio and putting on a protective mask, and battle drills, assessing and evacuating an injured casualty, day/night land navigation, a three-gun stress shoot, physical fitness tests, and a 12-mile ruck march.
The 3-gun stress shoot was a new event this year.
This new, dynamic event included sprints, high/low crawling, and ammo can carry while firing the M9 pistol, M4 Carbine, and an M26 Shotgun at steel targets in between the physical events.
"This event is unique, but we want to incorporate some fun into the competition," said Command Sgt. Maj. David Piwowarski, the New York Army National Guard senior enlisted advisor.
"Yeah, we scuff them up a little bit; they high crawl, low crawl and run around with ammo cans, but they still get to shoot weapons and that's always a win for a Soldier," Piwowarski said.
The competition ended with a 12-mile road march at West Point, in which Soldiers carry a rucksack weighing 25 pounds along with an M4 Carbine and finished at the Fort Putnam historic site high above the Hudson River on West Point.
Participants also got an opportunity to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge which required swimming while wearing their combat uniform and pistol marksmanship.
Barksdale's awards include the Army Achievement Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Masters of Science in Education and is John Jay College public safety intern.
Media Attachments
U.S. Army Spc. Erick Barksdale, a military policeman assigned to the 107th Military Police Company, 104th Military Police Battalion, 369th Sustainment Brigade, New York Army National Guard (NYARNG), moves under direct fire during a simulated event of the NYARNG Best Warrior Competition at Camp Smith Training Site, N.Y., March 28, 2019. The Best Warrior Competition, held March 27-30, 2019, is an annual event in which junior enlisted Soldiers and non-commissioned officers from various New York Army National Guard units compete in several events intended to test their military skills and knowledge, as well as their physical fitness and endurance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jonathan Pietrantoni)
U.S. Army Spc. Erick Barksdale, a military policeman assigned to the 107th Military Police Company, 104th Military Police Battalion, 369th Sustainment Brigade, New York Army National Guard (NYARNG), completes the 12-mile Road March event of the NYARNG Best Warrior Competition at West Point, N.Y., March 30, 2019. The Best Warrior Competition, held March 27-30, 2019, is an annual event in which junior enlisted Soldiers and non-commissioned officers from various New York Army National Guard units compete in several events intended to test their military skills and knowledge, as well as their physical fitness and endurance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Amouris Coss)
Specialist Erick Barksdale