NY Army National Guard Specialist Christian Habecker, a Houghton resident, is Best Warrior Competitor winner

Cavalry Soldier will compete in Northeastern Region Best Warrior competition in May

Latham, NY (04/16/2025) — New York Army National Guard Specialist Christian Habecker, a Houghton resident, was a winner in the annual Best Warrior Competition held April 7 to 11 at the Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.

Habecker, a member of Bravo Troop of the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, based at the Jamestown Armory, took first place in the junior enlisted Soldier category.

He will now represent New York at a regional competition for Soldiers from New England, New York, and New Jersey, scheduled from May 19 to 23 at the Edward Cross Training Complex in Pembroke, New Hampshire.

Staff Sgt. Alejandro Sanchez Mendez, a Brooklyn resident, won in the non-commissioned officers category.

Habecker, age 21, enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2023 and works as a powerline tree trimmer in civilian life.

During his time in service, he has been awarded the Army Achievement Medal three times and the New York National Guard Recruiting Medal.

He also completed the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry "Spur Ride," which tests a Soldier's command of cavalry scout skills.

The annual event brought together eight Soldiers, including two from Sweden, who competed in rigorous events designed to test their readiness, resilience and core soldiering skills.

Throughout the event, participants tackled day and night land navigation, a simulated weapons qualification course, a multi-event firing range, and a task-based round-robin covering everything from casualty care to tactical movement.

Participants also stood before a board of senior enlisted leaders to test their knowledge, bearing and professionalism.

The competitors also competed to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. This test, administered by German officers assigned to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, included a 100-meter swim, pistol qualification, a timed sprint, flexed arm hang and a 12-mile ruck march carrying a 25 pound pack and his M4 carbine.

The two Swedish soldiers competed as part of the New York National Guard's State Partnership Program training relationship with the Swedish military.

Habecker said the competition gave him a clearer sense of his limits and how far he could go beyond them.

"I came in wanting to challenge myself, and I definitely did," he said. "Winning is an honor, but just getting through the week with this group was something to be proud of. I'm excited to represent New York at the next level."

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