Montana Army National Guard Soldiers Win Regional Competition
Now have the opportunity to compete in national championship
Montana Army National Guard Press Release
Fort Harrison, Montana – Two soldiers from the Montana Army National Guard won the Region VI Best Warrior Competition, hosted by the Washington National Guard from May 13 through 17.
Sergeant Hunter Grunhurd from Livingston, an indirect fire infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-163rd Combined Arms Battalion, and Specialist Adam Broden from Belgrade, a firefighter with the 1050th Engineer Firefighter Tactical Group, won the Non-commissioned officer and Soldier categories respectively.
The Best Warrior Competition is an annual event to identify and recognize the top National Guard soldiers in each state, region, then the nation. Region VI comprises eight states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. Sergeant Grunhurd and Specialist Broden will now represent the entire region at the national competition hosted by the Vermont National Guard in August.
Each state sent their best enlisted soldier and non-commissioned officer. In Washington the events included, but were not limited to, a modified army combat fitness test, weapons employment, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear lanes, soldier and medical skills and tasks, a combat water survival test, and ruck march.
Both Grunhurd and Broden were presented with the army commendation medal, by Colonel Jack Mushallo, Army Chief of Staff, Washington National Guard, and Command Sergeant Major Bruce Ecclestone. They also received awards of a commemorative plaque, coin holder, and branded crewneck sweatshirts.
“Montana is extremely proud of these two soldiers. They’ve endured 3 days of grueling physical and mental tests against top competitors from around the Northwest. We’d like to thank their employers, Sergeant Grunhurd’s employer, the Livingston Police Department, and the Bozeman Fire Department for Specialist Broden to compete. We look forward to seeing them compete at the national level.” said Command Sergeant Major Dennis Mora of the Montana Army National Guard.
For the winners, both the state and regional competitions tested their mental toughness.
Although, the camaraderie helped everyone to keep going. Coming from Montana, Grunhurd said there were many more unknowns. Especially getting inserted into a location they have never been, and not knowing what they would be doing.
“The final day of regionals was the toughest for me. Normally land navigation is very easy for me but the western Washington vegetation combined with the small-scale map we were provided made me struggle. I only ended up finding one point in three hours, it was quite the gut check. It was hard to stay motivated and keep focused for the rest of the events [water survival and ruck march] that day,” said Grunhurd.
Colonel Trent Gibson, commander of the 1889th Regional Support Group also provided his congratulations to the competitors.
“I am extremely proud of our Soldiers and their accomplishments,” said Gibson. “The Montana Army National Guard is comprised of exceptional leaders and warriors and these two have demonstrated that excellence at this high-level competition. The NCOs who have trained and mentored them and their families should all be proud of their accomplishments.”
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