Specialist Philip Stevenson, a Newfane resident, named top enlisted Soldier during New York Army Guard Best Warrior Competition
CAMP SMITH, New York (04/10/2023) — New York Army National Guard Specialist Philip Stevenson, a Newfane resident, and University of Buffalo student, was named the top junior enlisted Soldier during the New York Army Guard's Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill in the Hudson Valley, April 3 to 6.
The annual competition tests contestants' military knowledge, physical fitness, marksmanship with a rifle, pistol and machine gun, and their endurance.
The winners in the enlisted Soldier and NCO categories go on to represent New York at the Northeast Region Best Warrior Contest. That event will be held in Bangor Maine from May 15 to 19.
Stevenson, who enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in July 2021, is an information technology specialist in the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, which is headquartered at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
The winner in the non-commissioned officer category, Sgt. Adam Crist of Grand Island, is also a member of the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry.
Soldiers tackling the Best Warrior contest must complete the Army Combat Fitness Test with the highest score possible and complete a 12-mile forced march will field pack and weapon.
They are tested on their military knowledge in front of a board of experience enlisted leaders and presented with hands on challenges ranging from dealing with a simulated wound, to taking apart and M-17 pistol blindfolded.
The Soldiers also competed for the German Military Proficiency Badge, which involves many of the same events. In addition, they take a timed swimming test with their uniform on.
To compete in the statewide event, Stevenson had to win at the squadron and brigade level. He entered the competition because of the high regard that those who do well are held in, he said.
Along with going to college, Stevenson serves as the statistic keeper for the Newfane High School wrestling team.
Stevenson has been wrestling since he was 12-years old and would like to be a wrestling coach one day.
His military awards include the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Ribbon, and the sharpshoot marksmanship medal.
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Specialist Philip Stevenson, a Newfane resident, is the enlisted Soldier winner of the New York Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition for 2023.
New York National Guard Spc. Philip Stevenson, an information technology specialist with 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, fires an M17 pistol during the 2023 State Best Warrior Competition on Camp Smith, N.Y., April 5, 2023. Stevenson was the winner of the competition's enlisted Soldier category.(New York National Guard photo by Spc. Joseph Liggio)