Connecticut National Guard Specialist Benjamin Wilke, a Clinton resident, participates in northeast region Best Warrior contest

Event tests military skills of best Soldiers from New England, New York, New Jersey

Camp Smith Training Site, N.Y. (05/24/2018) — Connecticut Army National Guard Specialist Benjamin Wilke, a Clinton CT resident, was one of 14 National Guard Soldiers who took part in the Northeast Region Best Warrior competition held May 16-19 at the New York National Guard's training camp near Peekskill, N.Y.

Wilke, who was competing in the enlisted category, is an infantryman assigned to Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion 102nd Infantry Regiment in New Haven. He's a graduate of the Army's Mountain Warfare School in Vermont.

The competition tests a Soldier's military knowledge, military skills, physical fitness, marksmanship, and stamina.

Soldiers in the ranks of private, private 1st class, and specialist compete in the enlisted category. Soldiers in the ranks of sergeant, staff sergeant and sergeant first class, compete against other Army National Guard non-commissioned officers.

The winner of the regional competition - which includes Soldiers from New England, New York and New Jersey-- goes on to compete at the national level to be best in the Army National Guard.

Wilke joined the Connecticut Army National Guard in 2016 and attained his current rank in January 2018.

In civilian life he is a luthier, somebody who builds and maintains stringed instruments.

The competition tasks are specifically designed to mirror what Soldiers must do in combat.

These included combat simulations, a 12-mile forced march, Soldier tasks and battle drills, marksmanship and board interviews, physical fitness tests, and written exams.

The Soldiers also had the opportunity to compete and earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge thanks to an arrangement with the German Army Liaison Office at the United States Military Academy. West Point is located just across the Hudson River from Camp Smith.

The competition tested each Soldier in various events such as:

• Ten "hands-on" Army warrior tasks.
• First aid on the battlefield.
• Land navigation using a map and compass.
• The Army Physical Fitness Test.
• Day and night land navigation.
• Stress shooting, where Soldiers must negotiate obstacles and perform physical tasks while shooting;

The road march was held at the United States Military Academy at West Point and finished at the Fort Putnam historic site high above the Hudson River.

This marked the third year that the competitors also had the opportunity to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge during the competition.

The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge is one of the few approved foreign awards American service members can wear. The test includes swimming in uniform, pistol marksmanship and an 11x10 meter sprint, chin-ups, and 1000 meter run.

Wilke earned this award along with being named Best Warrior.

Wilke's awards include the Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal.

A video about the competition can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCjMqjwT3S0

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