NY Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Matthew Ortiz, a Bethpage resident, winner in Best Warrior Competition

Soldier will compete in regional event against Soldiers from other states in August

Camp Smith Training Site, New York (07/31/2020) — Matthew Ortiz, a Bethpage resident and a staff sergeant in the New York Army National Guard, was the winner in a competition to pick the top non-commissioned officer in the 10,300-member force held July 25-26 at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.

Ortiz came in first after a weekend of events known as the Best Warrior Competition, which included tests of military knowledge, a military skills competition, land navigation tests, a marksmanship competition, competing for the best score in the Army Combat Fitness Test, and a 12-mile speed march with full pack.

During the event a top junior enlisted Soldier was also chosen. The winner in that category was Corporal Troy Perez from the Bronx.

Soldiers who win the Best Warrior Competition go on to represent New York in a regional competition being held at Camp Ethan Allan in Vermont in August. The winners of the regional competition then compete against National Guard Soldiers from around the country. Eventually the top Soldiers in the Army National Guard, The Army Reserve and the Active Army compete to be the top winner in the Army.

"Only the top Soldiers from across the New York Army National Guard participate in the Best Warrior Competition. To win a Soldier needs to be in great physical shape, be an excellent marksman, and have mastered the basic skills of Soldering in the 21st Century," said New York Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major David Piwowarski. "It is a tremendous achievement."

Piwowarski is the top non-commissioned officer in the New York Army National Guard and orchestrates the annual competition.

This year's contest also required staff and participants to take COVID-19 precautions, Piwowarski said. The contestants wore masks for non-physical events and temperatures were taken regularly, he said.

Ortiz, who joined the Army in 2013, served as an infantryman in the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia before joining the New York Army National Guard in 2016. He is currently assigned to Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry as a squad leader.

In civilian life Ortiz is an Emergency Medical Technician in the Fire Department New York. He also serves as a volunteer with the Bethpage Fire Department.

Ortiz holds an associate's degree in fire science and is working towards a bachelor's degree in emergency management.

His military education include the Army Basic Leader's Course, the Survival, Escape, Evasion and Resistance course, the Advanced Leader's Course, the Combat LifeSaver Course and the Air Assault Badge.

His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Overseas Training Ribbon.

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