Rhode Island Army National Guard Sgt. Jeffery Holmes, a Coventry resident, participates in northeast region Best Warrior contest

Four-day event tests skills and stamina of National Guard troops from New England, New York and New Jersey

Camp Smith Training Site, N.Y. (05/24/2018) — Rhode Island Army National Guard Sgt. Jeffery Holmes, a Coventry resident, was one of 14 National Guard Soldiers who took part in the Northeast Region Best Warrior competition held May 16-19 at the New York National Guard's training camp near Peekskill, N.Y.

Holmes, who was competing in the non-commissioned officer category, is a member of the 13th Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team.

Known as a CST, a Civil Support Team is composed of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who are trained to detect chemical, biological, and radiological weapons and materials in support of local civil authorities.

The competition tests a Soldier's military knowledge, military skills, physical fitness, marksmanship, and stamina.

Soldiers in the ranks of private, private 1st class, and specialist compete in the enlisted category. Soldiers in the ranks of sergeant, staff sergeant and sergeant first class, compete against other Army National Guard non-commissioned officers.

Two Soldiers from each state - the winner in the enlisted and non-commissioned officer categories-took part in the May 16-19 event at Camp Smith.

The winner of the regional competition - which includes Soldiers from New England, New York and New Jersey-- goes on to compete at the national level to be best in the Army National Guard.

Two members of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry won the two competition categories and will represent the Northeast at the national level competition

Holmes has served in the Rhode Island National Guard since 2008. He has deployed to Afghanistan twice, once in 2010 and again in 2012.

He is currently a full-time member of the National Guard.

The competition tasks are specifically designed to mirror what Soldiers must do in combat.

These included combat simulations, a 12-mile forced march, Soldier tasks and battle drills, marksmanship and board interviews, physical fitness tests, and written exams.

The Soldiers also had the opportunity to compete and earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge thanks to an arrangement with the German Army Liaison Office at the United States Military Academy. West Point is located just across the Hudson River from Camp Smith.

The competition tested each Soldier in various events such as:

• Ten "hands-on" Army warrior tasks.
• First aid on the battlefield.
• Land navigation using a map and compass.
• The Army Physical Fitness Test.
• Day and night land navigation.
• Stress shooting, where Soldiers must negotiate obstacles and perform physical tasks while shooting.

The road march was held at the United States Military Academy at West Point and finished at the Fort Putnam historic site high above the Hudson River.

The competitors also had the opportunity to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge is one of the few approved foreign awards American service members can wear. The test includes swimming in uniform, pistol marksmanship and an 11x10 meter sprint, chin-ups, and 1000 meter run.

Holmes earned this award along with being named Best Warrior.

Holme's awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal,the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Rhode Island Emergency Service Ribbon, the Airborne Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Mountain Warfare Badge, and the Combat Infantry Badge.

A video about the competition can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCjMqjwT3S0

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