NY Army Guard Staff Sgt. Alexander Sanchez, a Baldwinsville resident, to compete in New York Best Warrior event

Latham, NY (03/18/2022) — New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Alexander Sanchez, a Baldwinsville resident, will represent the National Guard's 153rd Troop Command at the Guard's Best Warrior Competition at Camp Smith Training Center near Peekskill in April.

Sanchez who works as a system administrator in civilian life, is a member of the 222nd Military Police Company which is based at the Patriot Way Armory in Rochester.

The Best Warrior Competition, which will be held from April 6 to April 9, tests a Soldiers physical fitness, endurance, marksmanship, military knowledge and military skills. The competition picks a top enlisted Soldier and top non-commissioned officer.

Sanchez will compete in the non-commissioned officer category.

These Soldiers then compete in regional, national and all-Army competitions to pick the best enlisted Soldier and NCO in the entire Army for that year.

In 2021, New York Army National Guard Corporal Dakaotah Miller finished second in the Army National Guard's national event.

During the grueling competition, Soldiers take the Army Combat Fitness Test, participate in a 12-mile timed march carrying a weapon and loaded pack, test their ability to navigate across country, demonstrate their proficiency in skills like emplacing a land mine, treating a wounded Soldier, or making a radio call. They also take part in a tactical stress shoot in which they move and engage target with their M-4 rifle.

The Soldiers are also tested on their knowledge of military regulations and procedures before a board of senior non-commissioned officers.

The Soldiers also get the chance to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, which involves a few additional tests like pistol shooting and swimming in full uniform.

Sanchez has served in the New York Army National Guard since 2013.

His awards include the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon.

Sanchez has participated in the New York National Guard response to the COVID-19 pandemic at state testing site in Rochester and deployed to Puerto Rico during a hurricane response mission in 2017.

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