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

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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.

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