Maine Army National Guard Sgt. Jhustin Welch, a Hartland resident, competes at regional Best Warrior event

Event tested 14 Army Guard Soldiers from New York, New Jersey and New England at four day competition at Camp Smith, N.Y. and West Point

Camp Smith Training Site, N.Y. (05/23/2018) — Maine Army National Guard Sgt. Jhustin Welch, a Hartland 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.

Welch, who was competing in the non-commissioned officer category, was one of two winners of the Maine Army National Guard Best Warrior event.

Welch is assigned to the 11th Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team. A Civil Support Team, known as a CST, is composed of specialists trained to identify chemical, biological, and radiological weapons and hazards.

He is a full-time member of the Maine Army National Guard who enlisted in March of 2012. He attained his current rank in March 2016.

He has served as an Active Guard member since 2014.

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 this summer.

Two members of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry won the two competition categories and will represent the Northeast at the national level competition

This was the second time Welch participated in a Best Warrior event. He competed at the regional level once before.

He entered again this year to better himself as a Soldier and to compare his knowledge and skills against others, Welch said.

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:

• "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 12-mile road march was conducted at the United States Military Academy at West Point, after the Soldiers were airlifted in on a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.

The Best Warrior competitors also had the opportunity to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

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.

Welch earned this award during the event. The award was presented by the head of the German Armed Forces liaison office at the United States Military Academy.

His awards include the, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Academic Achievement Ribbon.

He also holds an associate's degree in criminal justice.

Video of the event can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCjMqjwT3S0

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