Written by Jake Keiter
Pennsylvania Army National Guard Soldiers gathered at Fort Indiantown Gap to compete in the 2023 state Best Warrior Competition from April 15 to 19. The competition featured 17 soldiers from different parts of the state, who participated in nine different events to test their physical and mental endurance, including land navigation, medical events, a written exam, weapons training, obstacle courses, and leadership tests.
Spc. Nicolas Shaffer, an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, won the “Best Soldier” portion of the competition, while Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Orner, an infantryman with the 3rd Battalion, 166th Regiment, won the “Best Noncommissioned Officer” portion. Additionally, Staff Sgt. Sean Fulton, a Black Hawk crew chief with the 1st Battalion, 230th Regiment, won the Command Sgt. Maj. Jay H. Fields NCO Leadership award.
The Best Warrior Competition is designed to identify soldiers who embody the Warrior Ethos and demonstrate commitment to the Army values. The challenges were a mix of physical and mental tasks that tested basic soldiering skills applicable to any military occupational specialty.
Brig. Gen. Laura McHugh, Pennsylvania’s deputy adjutant general-Army, congratulated the soldiers and reminded them that they should have competed alongside each other instead of against each other. She also praised the camaraderie and relationships the soldiers built during the competition.
State Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Campbell commended the soldiers for their hard work and dedication, noting that soldiers like them are what make the National Guard strong. Orner and Shaffer will represent Pennsylvania in the regional Best Warrior Competition at Fort Barfoot, Virginia, from May 15 to 19.
The competitors for Soldier of the Year were:
Cadet Talisha Brown, 28th Infantry Division
Spc. Jacob Hanline, Pennsylvania National Guard Joint Force Headquarters
Spc. Devon Heisler, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade
Spc. Alex Pelkington, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Spc. Nicolas Shaffer, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team
Spc. David Thomson, 213th Regional Support Group
The competitors for NCO of the Year were:
Sgt. Jesse Benner, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade
Staff Sgt. Stephen Bruckno, 28th Infantry Division
Sgt. Tyler Eiden, 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
Staff Sgt. John Hasse, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team
Sgt. 1st Class Dalton Lawniczak, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Sgt. Kody Newberry, 213th Regional Support Group
Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Orner, Pennsylvania National Guard Joint Force Headquarters
The competitors for the Command Sgt. Maj. Fields award were:
Sgt. Ryder Blair, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team
Staff Sgt. Sean Fulton, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade
Sgt. Nicholas Oliver, 28th Infantry Division
Sgt. David Young, Pennsylvania National Guard Joint Force Headquarters
