FINDING NUMERO UNO

Finding our top competitor doesn’t end there,” added Witt. “There’s the regional competition coming up and a chance to compete in the All-Army BWC after that.”

BWC is four days of mental and physical challenges. It starts with the combat fitness test where competitors have to perform a series of physical tests, and ends with an appearance board where participants answer questions from senior enlistees.

Between the first and last events is a 12-mile ruck sack march, an unknown distance run (which was later announced as five miles), rifle and pistol marksmanship, and the popular obstacle course challenge.

There’s also a mystery event. This year it was staged at the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility (CACTF) at Camp Roberts, where participants had to react, adapt and overcome situations simulated in a foreign country quickly and decisively. It was designed to see how well troops can think on their feet while under both mental and physical stress.

“Another great thing that comes from this competition is the ability of the Soldiers who are competing. Usually E-4s and our young E-5s are our strongest competitors,” Witt added. “They’re starting out in the NCO world or they’re looking at a potential move to warrant officer or officer. So this event really gives them the ability to kick in, get some good training, and learn how to bring out those leadership skills that are going to help later in their careers.”

BWC is hosted annually by the 223rd Regional Training Institute. To compete at the state level, Soldiers must first advance through a series of company, battalion and brigade level competitions.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Laura L. Yeager, California Army National Guard commander, visited the competitors and shared words of wisdom shortly after they completed a tough land navigation test.

 “I know this is a great challenge with everything that’s going on in your lives and I appreciate the sacrifices you put through to get here,” Yeager said.

“It’s been a great competition. A lot of good competitors are doing great,” Witt said.

The three Soldiers competing were: Spc. Caleb Romero, 330th Military Police Company, 143rd Military Police Battalion, 49th Military Police Brigade; Pfc. Kezong Gemoh, 240th Signal Company, 224th Special Troops Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade; and Spc. Alex Hammack, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The eight NCOs battling for top honors were: Sgt. Peter Ebilane, 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; Sgt. Michael De Leon-Torres, 100th Troop Command; Staff Sgt. Kyle Johnson, 223rd Regional Training Institute; Staff Sgt. Salvador Licona, Headquarters Company, 143rd Military Police Battalion, 49th Military Police Brigade; Sgt. Reggie Cawaring, 1072nd Transportation Company, 746th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade; Staff Sgt. Luis Viscarra, 1114th Transportation Company, 224th Sustainment Brigade; Sgt. Michael Ortiz-Martinez, Alpha Company, 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 115th Regional Support Group; and Sgt. Macario Castillo, 1040th Quartermaster Company, 340th Brigade Support Battalion, 115th Regional Support Group.