Pfc. Tyler Russell, left, Sgt. Piotr Drwal, CW2 Cole Brown and 1st Lt. Joshua Reed, stand as winners of the U.S. Army Europe Best Warrior Competition, during a ceremony at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Friday, May 10, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Pfc. Tyler Russell, left, Sgt. Piotr Drwal, CW2 Cole Brown and 1st Lt. Joshua Reed, stand as winners of the U.S. Army Europe Best Warrior Competition, during a ceremony at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Friday, May 10, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Soldiers competing in the U.S. Army Europe Best Warrior Competition dive on top of a simulated casualty after a mock grenade was thrown to give protection at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Wednesday, May 8, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Soldiers competing in the U.S. Army Europe Best Warrior Competition run from a helicopter to the urban combat training area at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Wednesday, May 8, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Soldiers competing in the U.S. Army Europe Best Warrior Competition evacuate a simulated casualty at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Wednesday, May 8, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Soldiers competing in the U.S. Army Europe Best Warrior Competition rushing to a building at the urban combat training area at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Wednesday, May 8, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — After a grueling weeklong competition, four soldiers stationed in Europe walked away as winners of the U.S. Army Europe Best Warrior Competition.
The winners were Pfc. Tyler Russell in the soldier category, Sgt. Piotr Drwal in the noncommissioned officer category, CW2 Cole Brown in the warrant officer category and 1st Lt. Joshua Reed in the officer category.
Unlike in years past, the competition was done in teams this year to best determine how soldiers work together and lead a small unit. Winners were selected individually from among the teams of four to five.
Numerous tasks each day tested the soldiers mentally and physically. A written exam and uniform inspection tested the soldier’s military knowledge.
The physical challenges included a 12-mile ruck march, nighttime defensive tactics and an urban simulated battle where the soldiers had to evacuate a mock casualty while under fire.
Winners from Europe are expected to compete with other winners from the other regional commands at the U.S. Army Best Warrior event at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., this September.
egnash.martin@stripes.com Twitter: @Marty_Stripes
