Area National Guardsman earns ‘Best Warrior’ award

Regional competition tests military readiness

CLINTON — Connecticut Army National Guard Specialist Benjamin Wilke of Clinton was one of 14 National Guard soldiers who took part in the Northeast Region Best Warrior competition May 16-19 at the New York National Guard’s training camp near Peekskill, N.Y.

Wilke, who was competing in the enlisted category, is an infantryman assigned to Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion 102nd Infantry Regiment in New Haven. He’s also a graduate of the Army’s Mountain Warfare School in Vermont, according to a press release.

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, the release continued.

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.

Wilke joined the Connecticut Army National Guard in 2016 and attained his current rank in January. He is a luthier, someone who builds and maintains stringed instruments, the release said.

Competition tasks are specifically designed to mirror what soldiers must do in combat. These includ combat simulations, a 12-mile forced march, soldier tasks and battle drills, marksmanship and board interviews, physical fitness tests and written exams.

Soldiers also can compete and earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge courtesy of an arrangement with the German Army Liaison Office at the U.S. Military Academy. West Point is located just across the Hudson River from Camp Smith.

The competition tested each soldier in events such as 10 hands-on Army warrior tasks, first aid on the battlefield, land navigation using a map and compass, Army Physical Fitness Test, day and night land navigation, and stress shooting, where soldiers negotiate obstacles and perform physical tasks while shooting.

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 11by-10-meter sprint, chinups and 1,000-meter run. He earned this award along with being named Best Warrior, the release said.

Wilke’s awards include the Army NCO Profes- sional Development Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal.

Staff Sgt. Michael Davis / U.S. Army National Guard photo The Region 1 Best Warrior Competition is an annual event in which junior enlisted soldiers and noncommissioned officers from eight Northeastern states compete in several events intended to test their military skills and knowledge, as well as physical fitness and endurance.

Spc. Benjamin Wilke, an infantryman assigned to Headquarters Company, 1-102nd Infantry Battalion, Connecticut Army National Guard, participates in the 12-mile ruck march portion of the Region 1 Best Warrior Competition at West Point in New York.