Sgt. Christopher Couchot tries to break a hold during the Modern Army Combatives tournament at the 2011 Army Reserve Best Warrior competition at Fort McCoy on Thursday, June 23. (Timothy L. Hale/Army Reserve Public Affairs)
After a grueling five-day competition, the two winners of the Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition were named Friday evening and will compete for the Best Warrior title at the Department of the Army level.
Sgt. Christopher Couchot, representing the 335th Signal Command, will be the Army Reserve Best Warrior NCO and Spc. Ryan J. Barger, representing the 200th MP Command will be the Soldier.
“This is a world-class event,” Couchot said, during the awards banquet Friday evening in Sparta, Wis.
He added it is an honor to serve with all the other competitors and see so much motivation and dedication among them.
The next step is for Couchot to compete at the Department of the Army level of competition.
“I promise I will represent you well,” he said.
Other awardees included:
* Runner up for Best Warrior NCO: Staff Sgt. Conrad H. Nazar Jr., 88th Regional Support Command.
* Runner up for Best Warrior Soldier: Spc. Wade J. Saunders, 335th Signal Command.
* Heavyweight combatives winner: Spc. Aurelio O. Hernandez, 412th Theater Engineer Command.
* Lightweight combatives winner: Sgt. Gustavo Negrete Jr., 79th Sustainment Support Command.
* Highest weapons qualification score: Staff Sgt. Janine M. Smeltz, 377th Theater Sustainment Command.
* Highest Army Physical Fitness Test score: Spc. Wade J. Saunders, 335th Signal Command.
Spc. Ryan J. Barger with the 303rd Military Police Company from Jackson, Miss., entered the room of the mock shoot house where competitors practiced identifying allies and engaging enemies before the live shoot house event in the 2011 United States Army Reserve Command's Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy, Wis., on June 22. (photo by Spc. Lindsey A. Schulte)
The 42 Soldiers competing this week at the Best Warrior Competition are drawn from among the 205,000 Soldiers in the U.S. Army Reserve. They beat back challengers at the local and regional level for the honor of competing in the Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy.
The Soldiers competing at the Best Warrior Competition spent the week on a variety of Army challenges that tried their mettle in tests of skill such as weapons qualification, a ruck march, land navigation, Army combatives, first aid, and weapons assembly.
Their military backgrounds and experience represent the entire spectrum of the Army Reserve. Many have deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Their career fields include military police, healthcare, mechanics, human resources, intelligence, chaplain assistant and engineering. They represent a wide cross-section of America, hailing from various states across the United States.
Congratualtions to the winners, and to all the participants! You truly showed what it takes to be a Best Warrior!
It is good to know that not every Army Reserve competition has been temporarily ceased in the middle of the season for no good reason until further notice…..