Best Warrior competitors tackle land navigation
Story and photos by Spc. Cesar Salazar Jr., 200th Public Affairs Detachment
SANTA FE, N.M. – Competitors in the New Mexico Army National Guard Best Warrior Challenge tackled land navigation at the Camel Tracks Training Area here May 4, 2021.
The nine competitors had to find four points using a map, protractor and compass within a three-hour limit.
“We’re doing the daytime land nav portion of the BWC,” said Sgt. Jonah Bell, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 515th Regional Training Institute and BWC competitor. “I went to the wrong point, and that was frustrating, but once I was able to find one of these other points I was able to get back on track.”
Bell ran to the ending point sweating and out of breath, the first competitor to finish.
“I was freaking out,” Bell said gasping. “I thought I was late, and so I decided to start running the rest of the course, and I ran to each of my points.
Bell finishing first was remarkable as he was the last Soldier to leave the starting point.
“I thought I was going to be the last one here because I was the last one to leave the start,” Bell said. “I was just hustling, running. It was a pretty good experience overall. I got a few cacti in my feet, but it is what it is.”
“The competitors are doing well,” said Sgt. 1st Class Chase Martin, an infantryman with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry, and event cadre. “The majority of the competitors have gotten all their points. It means they’re utilizing their basic land navigation skills, and they’re completing the course, which is great.”
Once land navigation was complete, the competitors move by helicopters to Raton, N.M., for the next phase. The 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation (General Support), of the Colorado National Guard provided the airlift.
Upon arriving at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, the competitors immediately began setting battlesight zero with rifles for the small arms portion of BWC. Given the fast-paced tempo of the challenge, competitors are always on the move.
Upcoming events include pistols, carbines, shotguns, machine guns, combat lifesaving, radio communications, and a ruck march through rugged northern New Mexico terrain.
Upon returning to Santa Fe, competitors face night land navigation, the Warrior Challenge, a written test, and board appearances. Cadre will announce the results Thursday.