Tennessee Soldiers advance to Regional “Best Warrior” Competition

Thursday, April 27, 2017 | 07:46am

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two Tennessee National Guard Soldiers have advanced to the regional Best Warrior Competition currently happening at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky.

Staff Sgt. Dustin Rottero was honored as the “NCO of the Year” for the Tennessee Army National Guard in the state’s annual Best Warrior Competition. Rottero is a Drill Sergeant with Tennessee’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion in Smyrna, Tenn.

Spc. Jordan Breedlove was honored as the “Soldier of the Year” for the Tennessee Army National Guard in the state’s annual Best Warrior Competition. He is a member of Detachment 1, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, located in Springfield, Tenn.

“All the competitors this year were excellent, but these are two of our strongest warriors,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Gentry, the Tennessee Army National Guard State Command Sergeant Major, “and, I believe they have what it takes to go all the way to the Army competition and win.”

The two Soldiers edged out more than 20 other Soldiers within the state to earn the prestigious titles and were advanced to the Region III Best Warrior Competition that began earlier this week.

Rottero earned the Leadership Award due to his professionalism and performance while attending the US Army Drill Sergeant Academy last year. Breedlove is currently enrolled at Volunteer State University, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business.

The Best Warrior Competition recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to the Army values, embody the warrior ethos, and represent the force of the future.  Over the course of four days, it is designed to test aptitude during urban warfare simulations, board interview skills, physical fitness levels, and warrior tasks and battle drills relevant to today’s operating environment.

Each year, Soldiers across the US Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve compete locally, statewide for the National Guard, and regionally to determine which individual will represent their respective command at the culminating event in late September. 

 

Staff Sgt. Dustin Rottero, a drill sergeant with the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Tennessee Army National Guard, receives the Leadership Award upon successful graduation of the US Army Drill Sergeant School in 2016. (Photo provided by the Tennessee National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion.)

 

Spc. Jordan Breedlove with the Tennessee National Guard maneuvers through the obstacle course during the National Guard Region III Best Warrior Competition at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., April 24.(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jenny Ewanchew).