Approximately 40 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from across the nation travelled
to compete in the 2020 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition at Fort
McCoy, Wisconsin in September 2020.
The 2020 BWC is an annual competition that brings in the best Soldiers
across the U.S. Army Reserve to earn the title of “Best Warrior” among their
peers. Competitors are evaluated on their individual ability to adapt and
overcome challenging scenarios and battle-focused events, which test their
technical and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue.
The following events are included.
September 5, 2020
Confidence and Conditioning Courses
Segment by Sgt. Rachel Diehm, Sgt. William Ploeg,
Spc. Larissa Peterson, and Sgt. John Berry
Swim Test - Segment by Sgt. William Ploeg
Army Combat Fitness Test and German Basic Fitness Test -
Segment by Sgt. Rachel Diehm
and Sgt. William Ploeg
September 6, 2020
Tactical Combat Casualty Care - Segment
by Sgt. Rachel Diehm
M4 and M17 Qualification - The M17 portion of the event includes qualifying
for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge and standard Army pistol
qualification. The M4 event features the Army’s new barricade qualification
standards with prone unsupported, prone supported, kneeling supported,
standing supported, and a simulated chemical attack. Segment by Sgt. John Berry and Spc.
Larissa Peterson
12 Mile Ruck March - Segment by Sgt. John Berry, Sgt. Rachel Diehm, Spc. Larissa
Peterson and Sgt. William Ploeg
September 7, 2020
Ultimate Training Munitions -
Segment by Sgt. Rachel Diehm and Sgt. William Ploeg
Weapons Proficiency - M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, M240B, M26 Shotgun,
and M320 Grenade Launcher Segment by Sgt. John Berry, Sgt. Rachel Diehm, Spc. Larissa
Peterson and Sgt. William Ploeg
3 Gun Competition - Using the M26 shotgun, M17 Pistol, M3 Carbine
Segment by Sgt.
John Berry, Sgt. Rachel Diehm, Spc. Larissa Peterson and Sgt. William Ploeg
September 8, 2020
Military Police Lanes - A simulated military police
exercise in the town of
CACTF with an entry control point, a lively town square, celebratory
gunfire, high value targets, and hidden tunnels to weapon caches. Segment
by Sgt. John
Berry and Spc. Larissa Peterson
Counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Operation -
Segment by Sgt. William Ploeg and
Sgt. Rachel Diehm
Night Shoot - Soldiers fire under the cover of darkness with the
assistance of tube flares to illuminate targets on a 300-meter range.
Segment by Sgt.
William Ploeg and Sgt. Rachel Diehm
September 10, 2020 Winners ... 2020 Army
Reserve Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year (Staff Sgt. Benjamin L.
Latham) and Soldier of the Year (Spc. Stanley T. Thompson)
