USACAPOC(A) Storms Normandy

USACAPOC(A) Storms Normandy, a photo by USACAPOC on Flickr.

Maj. Gen. David N. Blackledge, commanding general of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) leads the paratroopers of Task Force Normandy into St. Mere-Eglise lead by WWII veterans of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment who jumped into Franch on June 5th and 6th, 1944. Task Force Normandy is made up of U.S., U.K., French and German paratroopers combined to honor the 67th Anniversary of the D-Day operations. (photo by Lt. Col. Gerald Ostlund)

Rider, McDowell complete Mystery Event, Combatives Tourney

And the Winner Is … ?

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

View Mystery Event Images

View Modern Army Combatives Tournament images

FORT LEE, Va. – Don’t think this entry is going to spill the beans on who the Soldier and NCO Best Warriors are for 2010. You’ll have to wait until this coming Monday to find out when the announcement is made in Washington, D.C. at the Sgt. Major of the Army luncheon at the AUSA Annual Convention.

That said, everyone associated with Sgt. David Rider and Spc. Joshua McDowell should be very proud of the way they represented not only themselves but the Army Reserve during this week’s competition.

It was not uncommon this week to hear many of the event cadre’ speak about both of them and the quality of the Soldiers they are.

It’s a Mystery

Today started like the last two days, in the dark as they were faced with a Mystery Event – a series of mini-scenarios designed to keep them moving and thinking without much time in between.

First an artillery barrage resulting in mass casualties, then it was on to protecting a polling center before coming under attack which led to a cordon and search operation, then on to a session in a marksmanship simulator followed by a series of male and female uniform inspections and finally ending up with a stress fire lane.

These events then culminated with a Modern Army Combatives tournament.

Double-Elimination

A new twist to this year’s tourney was to pair off the first round by weight class regardless of NCO or Soldier.

Rider, unfortunately, did not survive the first round and was knocked into the consolation bracket (more to come on that later).

Meanwhile, McDowell reeled off win after win until his sixth match which resulted in a loss in the semi-finals, knocking him to the consolation bracket.

In the meantime, Rider is fighting his way through his bracket and, yes, you saw this coming – Rider AND McDowell faced off against each other for fourth and fifth place overall. The match ended with Rider coming out on top. Rider finished with a 5-2 record and McDowell a 3.2 record in the tournament.

An Incredible Experience

At the end of the day, both young men said the Army Best Warrior experience was an incredible experience for them.

“I just tried to make through each event and see how I stacked up at the end,” McDowell said. “I learned so much here and feel like I have developed a bond with the other Warriors this week.”

He said one of the high points was being able to lead a team of Soldiers through different events since he doesn’t get many opportunities to do so.

“I learned to lead with confidence and to lead my Soldiers through each event. It was actually great to forget out the points and just go through each event with them.”

For Rider, the biggest accomplishment he said he felt was the “pride in the way I conducted myself this week, whether I win or lose.”

Some of his take-aways from this week was learning to motivate his squad of Soldiers and to train hard to prepare for not just competitions but any mission.

“If you train well ahead of time, you will reap the rewards later.”

No matter the outcome this coming Monday, Sgt. Rider and Spc. McDowell are definitely winners!

Rider, McDowell send hot lead downrange

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

View images from M4 Rifle Night Qualification

FORT LEE, Va. – After a day that saw the competition start and end in darkness for Army Reserve Sgt. David Rider and Spc. McDowell, the only have one day left to get through before the 2010 Army Best Warrior competition is over.

Tonight, the pair engaged a number of targets during the M4 Rifle Night Qualification range.

A cool breeze blew towards the Warriors as parachute flares streaked into the dark skies. Artillery simulators flashed at various distances across the landscape often turning night into day with their bright white flash.

Tomorrow, they will complete the competition phase for this year with a Mystery Event. Don’t ask, it’s even a mystery to this writer.

Rider, McDowell Press on through Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

View Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills Images (Editor’s Note:  some images my be too graphic for small children)

FORT LEE, Va. – An early morning wake-up greeted Sgt. David Rider and Spc. Joshua McDowell and the other 22 Army Best Warrior candidates as they set out for a series of events comprised of Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills.

There were a number of lanes to include:  Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), convoy simulators, IED lane, 9mm lane and a medical trauma lane.

This afternoon and again this evening, Rider and McDowell put their marksmanship skills to the test with a day and night M4 rifle qualification.

McDowell ‘Skunks’ Competition, Rider has Top 4 Finish

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

View images from Night Urban Orienteering

FORT LEE, Va. – Don’t let the headline fool you – Spc. Joshua McDowell and Sgt. David Rider had fantastic finish times during the Army Best Warrior Competition Night Urban Warfighter Orienteering Course.

The reference to the black and singularly wide white striped mammal is because McDowell encountered what could be considered an early Mystery Task – negotiating around a skunk on the last of his four check points.

But have no fear, McDowell took care of the business at hand while his lane safety walker shared glances with the furry critter keeping it a safe distance away.

McDowell was the first of the 24 Warriors to cross the finish line finding all four points in just over 40 minutes. The next closest junior enlisted Soldier came in around the 1:24 mark on the clock.

His Army Reserve battle buddy, Rider, came in fourth overall with 1:09 showing on the clock and he was the third NCO to cross the line.

The Warriors had 3.5 hours to find four points scattered across the main post.

Tomorrow will be an even longer day as Rider and McDowell will start the day at 0600 hrs with Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills and then will be followed by a series of M4 rifle range qualification events.

(EDITOR’s NOTE: No skunks, Warriors or Lane Safety Walkers were harmed during the course of the event)

Rider, McDowell slosh through Day Urban Orienteering at DA Best Warrior

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

View images from Day Urban Orienteering

FORT LEE, Va. – Almost as if it was on cue, the skies opened up just as Army Reserve Sgt. David Rider and Spc. Joshua McDowell arrived and the other 22 Army Best Warriors arrived at the PT track on the Ordnance Center and School side of Fort Lee for the start of the Daytime Urban Warfighter Orienteering Course.

But as the old saying in the Army goes, ‘If it ain’t raining, we ain’t training’ goes, both Rider and McDowell donned their ‘battle rattle, grabbed their clipboards, maps, plotters and DAGRS and set off on the roads around the post.

Their goal, find four strategically placed points and return to the start point before their three hour time limit was up.

Later this evening, they will again repeat the process for the Night Urban Orienteering Course.

Let’s hope for a little drier weather.

Now the fun begins … Day 3 of Army Best Warrior Competition

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

View Images from PCC/PCI

FORT LEE, Va. – After Monday’s Board Appearance and Tuesday’s APFT along with the written exam and essay, the 2010 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition is about to go full-bore tactical in less than one hour.

This morning was spent preparing their tactical gear with a PCC/PCI at the Post Field House.

Apologies for the short update but I have to get to the field for the Day Urban Warfighter Orienteering Course. The night course starts at 1800 today and runs until 2200.

Check back later this evening for more updates.

Rider, McDowell complete APFT at Army’s Best Warrior Competition

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

View images from today’s APFT

FORT LEE, Va. – Sgt. David Rider and Spc. Joshua McDowell completed the Army Physical Fitness Test phase of the 2010 Army Best Warrior Competition this morning.

As the fog hovered over Williams Stadium, bringing with it cooler temperatures, the action on the track heated up as Rider, McDowell and the other 22 NCOs and junior enlisted Soldiers were greeted with cheers and the ‘Wave’ around the stadium.

While both competitors said they felt they did well on the each phase of the test, they said the cheering crowds really helped to raise their enthusiasm.

“It was the most motivating PT test I’ve ever taken,” McDowell said afterwards.

McDowell completes CSM Board appearance at DA Best Warrior Competition

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

View images from Day 1 Board Appearance

FORT LEE, Va. – Spc. Joshua McDowell, the Army Reserve Soldier of the Year, completed his board appearance this afternoon before a panel of Command Sgts. Majors during day one of the Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition.

While somewhat nervous before entering the board room, McDowell said afterwards that he felt confident during his time in the room.

“It’s nice to get through the first event and start preparing for the rest which I’m sure will be more physical and demanding,” McDowell said.

While McDowell said he felt answered two-thirds of the questions correctly, he said there were some surprises.

“There were a couple that surprised me … but for the most part, though they may have changed them around a little or different from what I’ve heard in the past, I’m familiar with the knowledge.”

It’s early to be tonight as both McDowell and his NCO counterpart, Sgt. David Rider, prepare for tomorrow’s schedule.

An early wake-up awaits the pair as the head out for the Army Physical Fitness Test consisting of timed sit-ups, push-ups and 2-mile run. Then it’s on to the written exam and essay.

The pace will slow down a little tomorrow afternoon when hometown and local-area media will have an opportunity to meet all 24 Warriors (12 NCOs and 12 Soldiers) during a media event.

Check back tomorrow for more updates.

Rider, McDowell tackle day one of the Army’s Best Warrior Competition

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

View images from Day 1 Board Appearance

FORT LEE, Va. – Army Reserve Sgt. David Rider and Spc. Joshua McDowell had a good night sleep last night in preparation for this week’s Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition at Fort Lee, Va.

Today’s phase of the competition is an appearance board before a panel of Command Sgts. Majors chaired by Sgt. Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston.

Sgt. Rider appeared before the board at 11:18 a.m. After approximately 20 mins, he exited the room feeling somewhat relieved.

“Overall the performance was good as far as questions answered,” Rider said. “I hit my normal 70-80 percent questions correct which I feel like I do on just about every board.”

Spc. McDowell’s board appearance is this afternoon at 4:18 p.m. Check back this evening for photos and a wrap-up entry after his board.

EDITOR’s NOTE: Sgt. Rider, the Army Reserve NCO of the Year, is from the 807th MDSC. Spc. Rider, the Army Reserve Soldier of the Year, is from ARMEDCOM.