JOHNSTON, Iowa — Iowa National Guard soldiers are showcasing their mental and physical toughness during the Guard's annual four-day "Best Warrior Competition" (BWC) at Camp Dodge in Johnston.
The Guard will select a best-qualified soldier and a non-commissioned officer after the four-day event, advancing the soldiers to the regional competition next month, back at Camp Dodge, and marking the first time the event will be held on Iowan soil in seven years.
Winners from each state, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio, will join Iowan soldiers at the competition.
For the state-level competition, soldiers from across Iowa chosen to lead and represent their unit, will get to bring back an experience and knowledge they can apply in their future military careers.
"It's an honor to be here," said Sgt. Ashley Grapp, 185th combat sustainment support battalion. "I'm so glad that my team saw me and saw the potential in me to be a leader for other soldiers in my unit and represent."
The BWC consists of a sequence of events, including, but not limited to, a uniform inspection, public affairs officer interview, hand grenade engagement, day-and-night land navigation, a stress shoot, obstacle course, medical lanes and a 12-mile Ruck March -- ending at the Johnston City Hall Sunday morning.
"It just makes me proud," said Sgt. Maj. Matthew Strasser. "To watch how hard these soldiers compete, the desire, the desire that have to do well."
The competition pushes the soldiers to their abilities in myriad events, but also allows them to cheer each other on, whether they know each other or not.
"Working as a team here, even though you're competing against these soldiers, they're still your battle buddies," said Sgt. Schuyler Rilling, first squadron and 113th cavalry regiment. "They're people you still may see down the road."
Among the participants at Iowa National Guard's Best Warrior Competition were members from the Kosovo Security Force in Europe. In turn, Kosovo invites Iowa BWC winners to their annual Best Soldier Competition.