Basom resident Travis Wood wins New York Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition

Latham, New York (04/25/2024) — New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Travis Wood, a Basom resident, was a winner in the New York National Guard's Best Warrior contest which concluded on April 19 at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.

Wood, who joined the Army in 2010, won in the non-commissioned officer category and will represent New York in the northeast regional competition from May 13-17.

The competition is being hosted by the New York Army National Guard and will be held at locations across the state. Events will be conducted at the National Guard's Youngstown Training Area on May 15.

The annual Best Warrior Competition tests Soldiers physical fitness, marksmanship, military knowledge and skills, and physical endurance. The final event is a 12-mile timed march carrying a weapon and 25 pound pack.

Soldiers compete within their local units and then compete to represent the New York Army National Guard's major commands. The winner of the regional competition goes onto compete nationally.

Eventually top Soldiers from the Army National Guard, the Army Reserve and the Active Army compete to see who the best in the entire Army.

Wood, an infantryman, is assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, said he is looking forward to taking part in the regional competition in May.

"It's definitely an honor to be representing New York State at the next higher-level event... It's a lot of pressure, but good pressure," Wood said.

Wood was awarded the Army Commendation Medal to mark his accomplishment in winning.

Wood's other awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, an earlier award of the Army Commendation Medal, the Overseas Ribbon, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

During his career he deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, to the Middle East in 2019 and the Germany in 2022 where he assisted in training the Ukrainian military.

New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Travis Wood, a Basom resident, was a winner in the New York National Guard's Best Warrior contest which concluded on April 19 at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.

Wood, who joined the Army in 2010, won in the non-commissioned officer category and will represent New York in the northeast regional competition from May 13-17.

The competition is being hosted by the New York Army National Guard and will be held at locations across the state. Events will be conducted at the National Guard's Youngstown Training Area on May 15.

The annual Best Warrior Competition tests Soldiers physical fitness, marksmanship, military knowledge and skills, and physical endurance. The final event is a 12-mile timed march carrying a weapon and 25 pound pack.

Soldiers compete within their local units and then compete to represent the New York Army National Guard's major commands. The winner of the regional competition goes onto compete nationally.

Eventually top Soldiers from the Army National Guard, the Army Reserve and the Active Army compete to see who the best in the entire Army.

Wood, an infantryman, is assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, said he is looking forward to taking part in the regional competition in May.

"It's definitely an honor to be representing New York State at the next higher-level event... It's a lot of pressure, but good pressure," Wood said.

Another 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Soldier, Sgt. Peter Fillion, won in the junior enlisted Soldier category.

Wood was awarded the Army Commendation Medal to mark his accomplishment in winning.

Wood's other awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, an earlier award of the Army Commendation Medal, the Overseas Ribbon, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

During his career he deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, to the Middle East in 2019 and the Germany in 2022 where he assisted in training the Ukrainian military.

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