Ohio National Guard News

Looking Back:
2017 State Best Warrior Competition

Video by Staff Sgt. Jackie Rausch, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Photos by 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Ohio Army National Guard members are competing May 8-11 at the Region IV Best Warrior Competition at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Ia., going up against Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from six other Midwestern states. Before that, however, they tested their skills in March at Camp Ravenna Joint Military Center to determine the “Best of the Buckeye State.” Soldiers took part in two days of various events that pushed them to their physical and mental limits. Emerging victorious were Staff Sgt. Nathan McKenzie, a member of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, and Spc. Tyson Montgomery, a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, in the noncommissioned officer and Soldier categories, respectively.

Some of the best Soldiers from across Ohio gathered at Camp Ravenna to test their warrior skills in the 2017 Ohio Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition.

Spc. Preston Layne, representing the 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, checks his point during a land navigation course as part of the Ohio Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition March 25, 2017, at Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center near Newton Falls, Ohio.

Spc. Myeeah Scott (right), representing the 16th Engineer Brigade, sprints across the finish line of an 8-mile ruck march during the Ohio Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition March 25, 2017, at Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center near Newton Falls, Ohio.

Staff Sgt. Nathan McKenzie (left) and Spc. Tyson Montgomery (right) stand with Ohio Army National Guard State Command Sgt. Maj. Rodger M. Jones after winning the 2017 Best Warrior Competition March 25, 2017. McKenzie, a member of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, and Montgomery, a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, triumphed over their peers in the noncommissioned officer and Soldier categories, respectively.