Rhode Island Army National Guard Specialist Ethan Kryla, a West Warwick resident, participates in northeast Best Warrior contest

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

Camp Smith Training Site, N.Y. (05/24/2018) — Rhode Island Army National Guard Specialist Ethan Kryla, a West Warwick 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.

Kryla, who was competing in the junior enlisted Soldier category, is a member of the Charlie Company 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment. He is an infantryman.

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

Kryla has served in the Rhode Island National Guard since 2015. He attained his current rank in October 2017.

In civilian life he is a general contractor.

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.

Kryla earned this award along with being named Best Warrior.

Kryla's awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Medal and the Airborne Badge.

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

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