Army National Guard Specialist Joseph Ryan, a Yonkers Resident, is New York Army National Guard's Best Warrior for 2019

Four-day Competition tests a Soldiers endurance, military skills, marksmanship and physical fitness

Latham, NY (04/05/2019) — Army National Guard Specialist Joseph Ryan, a Yonkers resident, has been named the New York Army National Guard's Best Warrior in the enlisted Soldier category following a March 27-30 competition at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.

Ryan, who is a member of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion 69th Infantry, joined the New York Army National Guard in 2015 and is a full-time Guard Soldier in the Active Guard and Reserve Program.

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 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.

Ryan will compete against other Army National Guard noncommissioned officers from New England and New Jersey in New Hampshire at the end of April.

The winner of that competition then competes to be the best in Army National Guard overall. The Best Warriors from the Army National Guard, the Army Reserve and the Active Army then compete in a special event.

"The Best Warrior gives you so many opportunities, just from showing up and putting your name out there," Ryan said. "I would recommend that every Soldier in the National Guard that has an interest in physical fitness or a being a better Soldier to try out."

Ryan, age 25, is a graduate of the Army's Ranger School and Airborne School. His military awards include the Ranger Tab, the Parachutist Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

He is working on a bachelor's degree in athletic training.

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