CAMP SWIFT, TEXAS -- More than two dozen Soldiers and Airmen from the Texas Military Department began competing to win the state’s Best Warrior Competition Feb. 27, 2019 at Camp Swift, Texas.
The four-day event not only features some of the state’s top service members, but also features competitors from Chile and the Czech Republic, who are both partners of the Texas military under the State Partnership Program.
The competition is currently putting the competitors through demanding physical and mental tests which include a modified Army physical fitness test, an obstacle course, marksmanship drills, land navigation, formal board interviews, written exams, and a mystery event.
“This is a great event that really test our Soldiers and Airmen,” said Command Sgt. Major Craig Williams, 636th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion, 71st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade. “It’s really great to see the Army, Air Force and our international partners pushing and motivating each other every step of the way.”
Training and preparation for this competition begins months in advance for the majority of the participants with all of them earning the right to compete at the state level by being top performers at their own unit.
“I’ve been training for the last three months to prepare myself both physically and mentally for every event here,” said Senior Airman Johny Ceja-Alvarez, 149th Fighter Wing. “I just want to come out and give everything I have. All the hard work and training is over, now it’s time to have fun and compete.”
The winners of the Texas competition will be honored at a banquet in May and will be eligible to compete in Best Warrior Competition at the nation and international levels.