{"id":413025,"date":"2025-04-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=413025"},"modified":"2025-04-15T03:32:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T03:32:32","slug":"cavalry-and-infantry-soldiers-are-tops-at-2025-ny-army-guard-best-warrior-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=413025","title":{"rendered":"Cavalry and Infantry Soldiers are tops at 2025 NY Army Guard Best Warrior Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n New York Army National Guard Sgt. Alexandro Dierdonne, sets up a radio during the New York Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill, New York on April 8, 2025. Dierdonne was one of six Soldiers competing to be the best in the state during the competition which ran from April 7 to 10. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Richelle Cruickshank)
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\n New York Army National Guard Sgt. Davis Amedola, moves under simulated fire during the New York Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill, New York on April 9, 2025. Dierdonne was one of six Soldiers competing to be the best in the state during the competition which ran from April 7 to 10. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Richelle Cruickshank)
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\n New York Army National Guard Sgt. Alexandro Dierdonne, engages targets with a pistol during the New York Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill, New York on April 9, 2025. Dierdonne was one of six Soldiers competing to be the best in the state during the competition which ran from April 7 to 10. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Richelle Cruickshank)
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\n New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Dalton Bull, a unit supply specialist, assigned to the 1108th Ordnance Company (EOD) participates in a simulation round robin during the 2025 State Best Warrior Competition at Camp Smith Training Site, near Peekskill, N.Y., April 5, 2025. The Best Warrior Competition, held April 7-11, 2025, is an annual event in which junior enlisted Soldiers and non-commissioned officers from various units compete in several events intended to test their military skills and knowledge, as well as their physical fitness and endurance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Richelle Cruickshank)
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\n New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Edwin Garris, senior enlisted leader, presents an award to Staff Sgt.. Alejandro Sanchez, infantryman, for winning the Best Warrior Competition in the non-commissioned officer category during the 2025 State Best Warrior Competition at West Point, N.Y., April 10, 2025. The Best Warrior Competition, held April 7-11, 2025, is an annual event in which junior enlisted Soldiers and non-commissioned officers from various units compete in several events intended to test their military skills and knowledge, as well as their physical fitness and endurance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Trinh)
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\n New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Edwin Garris, senior non-commissioned leader, pins a ribbon on Spc. Christian Habecker, a cavalry scout, for winning the Best Warrior Competition in the junior enlisted category during the 2025 State Best Warrior Competition at West Point, N.Y., April 10, 2025. The Best Warrior Competition, held April 7-11, 2025, is an annual event in which junior enlisted Soldiers and non-commissioned officers from various units compete in several events intended to test their military skills and knowledge, as well as their physical fitness and endurance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Trinh)
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\n New York Army National Guard Soldiers take on the 12-mile ruck march to test endurance and resilience during the 2025 State Best Warrior Competition at Camp Smith Training Site, near Peekskill, N.Y., April 5, 2025. The Best Warrior Competition, held April 7-11, 2025, is an annual event in which junior enlisted Soldiers and non-commissioned officers from various units compete in several events intended to test their military skills and knowledge, as well as their physical fitness and endurance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Richelle Cruickshank)
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CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, N.Y. \u2013 After four days of physically demanding tasks, mental challenges, and military skill assessments, a cavalry scout and infantryman earned top honors in this year\u2019s New York Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition.<\/p>\n

Spc. Christian Habecker, a member of Bravo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, took the Best Warrior title in the junior enlisted category. The 21-year-old Habecker, enlisted in the Army in 2023 and lives in Houghton, N.Y.<\/p>\n

In civilian life Habecker works as a powerline tree trimmer.<\/p>\n

Staff Sg. Alexander Sanchez Mendez, who is assigned to Charlie Company of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, was named Best Warrior in the non-commissioned officer category.<\/p>\n

Sanchez Mendez, age 40, is a resident of Brooklyn and enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2018.<\/p>\n

He is graduate of the Army Mountain Warfare School at Camp Ethan Allen, Vermont, and the Brazilian Jungle Warfare School International Jungle Operations Course. He completed the French Desert Commando Course and the Norwegian Foot March while deployed to the Horn of Africa with<\/p>\n

Joint Task Force Wolfhound in 2022-2023.<\/p>\n

In civilian life, Sanchez Mendez is a carpenter. In 2021, he received the American Legion Spirit of Service Award for his volunteer efforts to help rebuild homes and schools destroyed in natural disasters.<\/p>\n

The two will represent New York at the northeast states regional competition to be held in in Pembroke, New Hampshire from May 19 to 23. The winners there will compete at the national level for best in the Army National Guard.<\/p>\n

In 2024, New York Army National Guard Sgt. Peter Fillion, who is also a member of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, won the national Best Warrior competition in the junior enlisted category.<\/p>\n

Habecker said the competition gave him a clearer sense of his limits\u2014and how far he could go beyond them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came in wanting to challenge myself, and I definitely did,\u201d he said. \u201cWinning is an honor, but just getting through the week with this group was something to be proud of. I\u2019m excited to represent New York at the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanchez Mendez said the event was a reminder of why training matters.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis competition brings out the best in everyone,\u201d he said. \u201cNo matter where you place, you come out of it sharper, more focused, and more connected to the team.\u201d<\/p>\n

The annual event brought together eight Soldiers\u2014including two from Sweden\u2014who competed in a series of rigorous events designed to test their readiness, resilience, and core soldiering skills.<\/p>\n

Over the course of the week, participants tackled day and night land navigation, a simulated weapons qualification course, a multi-event firing range, and a task-based round-robin covering everything from casualty care to tactical movement.<\/p>\n

Each also stood before a board of senior enlisted leaders to test their knowledge, bearing, and professionalism.<\/p>\n

The competitors also competed to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. This test, administered by German officers assigned to the United States Military Academy at West Point, included a 100-meter swim, pistol qualification, a timed sprint, flexed arm hang, and a 12-mile ruck march under full load.<\/p>\n

Fillion, the 2024 Best Warrior Winner, took part in this event, where he won the gold medal, according to Sgt. 1st Class James Monetsano,the Best Warrior NCOIC.<\/p>\n

Six Soldiers represented units across New York. They won their battalion competitions before competing at the brigade level for the right to compete statewide.<\/p>\n

Sgt. Alexandro Dierdonne, a member of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Regiment, said he had been looking forward to the competition.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is definitely a goal to strive for, winning the Best Warrior,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Other competitors in the 2025 Best Warrior Competition were:<\/p>\n

\u2022\tSpc. Brian Ciarlante, a member of the 1108th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company<\/p>\n

\u2022\tStaff Sgt. Daulton Bull, a member of the 1108th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company<\/p>\n

\u2022\tSgt. David Amendola, a member of the 442nd Military Police Company<\/p>\n

The other two competitors \u2014 Swedish Army Pvt. Jesper Andersson and Cpl. Simon Drie Runnander\u2014members of Sweden\u2019s First Brigade, took part in the event as part of the National Guard State Partnership Program<\/p>\n

The program, launched in 2024 between New York and Sweden, aims to strengthen multinational collaboration and improve operational readiness through shared training.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis has been one of the toughest training experiences I\u2019ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding,\u201d said Drie Runnander. \u201cWorking side by side with American Soldiers pushed me outside my comfort zone. I\u2019ve learned a lot that I\u2019ll take back to Sweden.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephanie Butler assisted with this story.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1 \/ 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption \u2013 New York Army National Guard Sgt. Alexandro Dierdonne, sets up a radio during the New York Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill, New York on April 8, 2025. Dierdonne was one of six Soldiers competing to be the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":413027,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-413025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/413025","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=413025"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/413025\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":413035,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/413025\/revisions\/413035"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/413027"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=413025"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=413025"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=413025"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}