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Zachary Smith competitor in New York National Guard's Best Warrior event

Newburgh resident recognized as best in his command competed to be best in New York State

Latham, NY (04/03/2017) — The best Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard recently completed the state's Best Warrior Competition March 30 to April 1 at the Camp Smith Training Site near Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.

Nine Soldiers, nominated from across the commands of the New York Army National Guard, competed for selection as the best Soldier and Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.

Participating in the competition this weekend was Sgt. Zachary Smith from Newburgh, N.Y. Smith is assigned to the 501st Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal).

"All competitors performed with skill and heart in this contest," commented New York State Command Sergeant Major David Piwowarski, the senior enlisted advisor for the state.

Competitive events included two types of fitness tests, qualification and courses of fire on three weapons, a formal appearance before a board of NCOs, a written test, individual Soldier task testing, a lane which incorporated maneuver, Soldier tasks and live fire under stress, a swim test, a mystery task, day and night land navigation, and an air movement to and from a 12-mile road march with combat gear and a 35-pound rucksack over difficult terrain.

Although Smith was not the overall winner of the competition, Piwowarski presented all the competitors with a military challenge coin in appreciation of their hard work and competitive spirit.

After the completion of the demanding three day schedule, the state awarded its honors to Sgt. Mitchell Stogel as the New York Army National Guard NCO of the Year and recently promoted Sgt. Mitchell Cooper as Soldier of the year.

Stogel is an infantryman assigned to the Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry in New York City while Cooper is an infantryman with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry in Morrisonville, N.Y.

These winners will be recognized April 22 at the Enlisted Association of NY Service Member Awards Dinner, to be held in Schenectady, N.Y.

They will go on to compete in the National Guard's regional competition April 24-28 at Fort Dix, N.J. and if successful, will compete to be the best in the entire National Guard July 17-21 at the Army Guard's Best Warrior Competition at Camp Ripley, Minnesota.

Media Attachments

U.S. Army Sgt. Zachary Smith qualifies with the M4 rifle during the New York Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp Smith Training Site March 30, 2017. The Best Warrior competitors represent each of New York's brigades after winning competitions at the company, battalion, and brigade levels. At the state level they are tested on their physical fitness, military knowledge, endurance, marksmanship, and land navigation skills. The two winners of the competition, one junior enlisted and one NCO, advance to compete at the regional level later this year. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Harley Jelis)

New York Army National Guard Sgt. Zachary Smith.

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