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Soldiers compete for top honors

  • Published
  • By Pascual Flores
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Five Soldiers from the 77th Sustainment Brigade participated in a challenging competition that tested their mental and physical abilities here Nov. 14-15.

The Soldiers competed on Dix to determine who would represent the brigade in the 2010 Best Warrior Competition at the command level, noncommissioned officer and enlisted categories.

The competitors faced two demanding days of testing in physical fitness and warrior skills to determine who would carry the torch to the next level of competition.

The first event began in the early morning hours at the two-mile track near Doughboy Loop, where the contestants took a physical-fitness test consisting of push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile run.

The remainder of the first day involved weapons qualifications, day and night land navigation utilizing the Army's new Global Positioning Systems compass and testing warrior task skills. This consisted of radio transmission communications, medical treatment and survival tasks.

"I like a challenge and to see how far I can push myself," said Sgt. John Graniello, one of the competitors.

The final day of competition began early Sunday morning as the group tested their endurance and stamina in a timed 10-kilometer rucksack march.

"The BWC is good training and its competitive; and maybe I'm a competitive guy who likes the competition," said Spc. Paul Bauducco, one of the participants.

Competitors then entered the final phase of the competition: the five soldiers individually met with a board of senior Army leaders. The board tested and scored each on their military knowledge.

The members of the board consisted of four command sergeants major and one sergeant major. Each of the competitors was judged on military bearing, appearance of their uniform, how well they responded to questions on different military topics and an essay they wrote on the meaning of the warrior ethos.

"Thank you for all the hard work you've done; I want you to know it is not forgotten and does not go unseen,"said Command Sgt. Maj. Najee Lunde, 77th Sustainment Brigade and 2010 BWC president.

Sergeant Graniello and Specialist Bauducco, both from the Sustainment Troop Batallion, were named the winners of the competition.

Each received a scale model of the Statute of Liberty and the Army Achievement Medal for their hard work and commitment to excellence.

Runners-up in the competition were Sgt. Zeb Cougherty, 445th Quartermaster Company and Pfc. Banchee Barnett, 946th Transportation Company.

"I don't know if I'm supposed to be happy or sad," Sergeant Bauducco said. "I got to go to the next level of competition and I imagine it's going to be a lot tougher than this one. But, I'm looking forward to it."

Participants who win at the brigade level will go on to compete at the 316th Expeditionary Command BWC. The competition will progress to the Army Reserve Command level.