NY Army Guard Specialist Damien Pagano, a Buffalo resident, takes part in Best Warrior competition
Youngstown, New York (11/07/2023) — New York Army National Guard Specialist Damien Pagano, a Buffalo resident, finished in second place in the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Teams Best Warrior competition held Nov. 3 to 5 at the National Guard's Youngstown training area.
Pagano, who is assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment in Utica, competed in the enlisted Soldier category.
The Best Warrior competition involves physical fitness, marksmanship, and military knowledge. The winners of the brigade competition will compete against other New York Army Guard Soldiers in the spring of 2024.
"The Best Warrior Competition tests a Soldier's mind, body, and spirit," said Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Roeser, the 27th Infantry Brigade's top enlisted leader.
Over two and a half days from Nov. 3 through 5, Soldiers were evaluated in six events:
A Formal interview board in dress uniform
A 12-mile ruck march carrying a 35-pound pack.
A Three-gun shoot, combining rifle, pistol, and shotgun qualification with ten burpees, a high crawl, and 25 air squats.
Warrior tasks and battle drills
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the Army Combat Fitness Test
Soldiers also had to submit a paper on their Army experience, with junior enlisted competitors focusing on how to improve peer relationships and best prepare for military schools, and NCOs focusing on how to improve leadership, operations, and management.
During the warrior tasks and battle drills, Soldiers were challenged to bound with a buddy while under fire - taking cover behind barriers, crawling under obstacles, and firing back at an enemy. Once they cleared the challenge, they had to immediately provide care to a simulated wounded Soldier under stressful conditions.
"Adding a lot of pressure like screaming, battle sounds, and even putting pressure like hinting at the time - that can allow them to perform under pressure in real scenarios," said Staff Sgt. Danielle Dillard, a combat medic evaluating Soldiers on their medical skills.
Competitors were chosen as the best-of-the-best from thousands of 27th IBCT Soldiers across the state, after completing competitions at their home units.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Speclialist Damien Pagano, an infantryman assigned to HHC (Scout), 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, runs through smoke from a grenade during a warrior tasks and battle drills evaluation in Youngstown, N.Y., Nov. 4, 2023. The evaluation was one of six challenging events in the 27th IBCT’s annual best warrior competition. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Avery Schneider)
New York National Guard
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