1st Lt. Danielle Miller, 216th Engineer Battalion
FORT BLISS, Texas (10/18/22)
Three Ohio Army National Guard Soldiers took top honors during a three-day Best Warrior Competition conducted by the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade earlier this year at Fort Bliss.
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel White of the 216th Engineer Battalion, based in Cincinnati, and Staff Sgt. Mark Zimmerman and Spc. Joshua Schoch of the 1194th Engineer Company, based in Chillicothe, were selected to compete in the BWC this spring out of more than 2,000 Soldiers from 14 states and one U.S. territory.
White placed first in the senior noncommissioned officer category, competing in a military board that evaluated the total Soldier concept.
Zimmerman placed first overall in the noncommissioned officer category, finishing in the top two for the 6-mile ruck march and shooting expert with the M9 pistol.
“First and foremost, I am glad to have had the opportunity to participate in the competition, but even more proud to be able to represent the 3rd platoon with the 1194th Engineer Company.”
“First and foremost, I am glad to have had the opportunity to participate in the competition, but even more proud to be able to represent the 3rd platoon with the 1194th Engineer Company,” Zimmerman said.
Schoch placed first in the junior enlisted category with a top two finish in the 6-mile ruck march and a near perfect score of 597 out of 600 on the Army Combat Fitness Test.
“I am extremely thankful that God has given me the health, ability and opportunity to compete in events like this competition,” Schoch said. “The (BWC) really forced me to rigorously train, study and better myself as a Soldier. One of my favorite aspects of the Army is how it builds camaraderie through competition.”
The Ohio Guard members showed their mettle over the course of three days while being tested on Army Warrior Tasks to include: maintaining a 9 mm pistol, troop leading procedures, land navigation, a written exam on Army knowledge and an appearance board in front of six command sergeants major.
“Sweeping the competition, these Ohio Soldiers demonstrated both their mental and physical toughness over a grueling three-day competition. They are a credit to themselves, their units, the 16th Engineer Brigade, and the Ohio Army National Guard,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Barnes of the 216th Engineer Battalion.
