NY Army Guard Staff Sgt. Kurtis Schneider, a Mechanicville resident, participates in 27th Brigade Best Warrior competition
Latham, NY (11/07/2023) — Staff Sgt. Kurtis Schneider, a wheeled vehicle mechanic from Mechanicville, assigned to Golf Company, 427th Brigade Support Battalion
New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kurtis Schneider, a Mechanicville resident, competed in the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Teams Best Warrior competition held Nov. 3 to 5 at the National Guard's Youngstown training area.
Schneider, a wheeled vehicle mechanic in Golf Company of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion, which drills in Glenville.
The Best Warrior competition involves physical fitness, marksmanship, and military knowledge.
"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
Land navigation
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 Soldiers assigned to 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, begin the two-mile portion of an Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) in Buffalo, N.Y., Nov. 5, 2023. The ACFT 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)
Staff Sgt. Kurtis Schneider
New York National Guard
Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- NY Army Guard officer Sean Flynn, a Delmar resident, plays key role in NATO Joint Force Command headquarters
- New York State Military Museum director retires after 22 years of service
- Six Western New York Army Guard Soldiers receive French Medal during Sunday, Feb. 22 ceremony
- Six Rochester-based NY Army Guard Soldiers receiving French medal for bravery on Sunday, February 22.
- NY Air Guard Lt. Col. Jesse Fritz, a DeForest, Wisconsin native, takes command of NY Air Guard unit on Long Island
- New York Air Guard Lt. Col. Jesse Fritz, a Hampton Bays resident takes command of 106th Rescue Wing's Maintenance Group
- NY Air Guard Lt. Col. Kevin Lawhon, a Pflugerville, Texas native, takes command of NY Air Guard's 106th Rescue Wing's Mission Support Group
- NY Air Guard Lt. Col. Kevin Lawhon, a Middle Island resident, takes command of 106th Rescue Wing's Mission Support Group
- Center Moriches resident Kristin Luna names semifinalist for the Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year Award/
- New York Air Guard's 105th Airlift Wing has first warrant officer in decades, Bronx resident Johnny Cruz