U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Warrior Competition

U.S. Army units from across Europe converge to compete for the title of Best Warrior. The week-long event tests Soldier skills, endurance, fortitude and resourcefulness as well as intellectual and problem-solving capabilities. Officers, noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Soldiers compete in separate categories and are evaluated on general military knowledge, physical fitness and common military tasks.

While some of the competition tasks are standard such as the Army Physical Fitness Test, written test, marksmanship, ruck march, land navigation and command sergeants major board; some of the challenges such as chemical defense and medical tasks - added to the stress of fitting everything into a few short days - makes the competition extra tough.

Winners in the NCO and junior enlisted categories will advance to represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the Army Best Warrior Competition at Fort Lee, Virginia.

For more imagery, videos and news visit our DVIDS feature page at: U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Warrior Competition

The Competitors

2021 U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Warrior Competitors.

EBWC - Imagery

EBWC Videos

Video by Eugene Haynes

Officer Candidate School (OCS) Class 04-25 Graduation Ceremony

Naval Service Training Command

Jan. 15, 2025 | 31:06

107 Students in Officer Candidate School, Class 04-25, at Officer Training Command Newport, participate in their graduation ceremony at Naval Station Newport. Rear Admiral Michael R. Van Poots, United States Navy, Commander, Undersea Warfighting Development Center, serves as guest speaker for this event. Rear Admiral Michael R. Van Poots is a native of Sparta, NJ. He is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Physics, a Master of Business Administration Degree in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Applied Management and Decision Science from Walden University and a graduate of various programs from the Navy Post Graduate School, Naval War College, Joint Forces Staff College, and National Defense University. He received his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in Troy, NY, in 1995. He is a Level II Joint Qualified Officer. His doctoral dissertation research was conducted on Knowledge Management in Lean Manufacturing implementation. August 2024 RDML Van Poots assumed his current duties as Commander Undersea Warfighting Development Center, Groton, CT. His shipboard tours include USS BALTIMORE (SSN 704) and USS MONTPELIER (SSN 765) completing deployments to the Pacific, Northern Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Ashore, staff tours include various submarine and operational related units including Commander Submarine Squadron Six Det. 504, Commander Submarine Group Ten Force Protection Det. 2, US Fleet Forces Maritime Operations Center Det. Greensboro, Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3N5) at the Pentagon Navy Command Center and he is designated a US Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer (BGO) Deputy Area Coordinator. RDML Van Poots personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He has served with crews that have earned the Navy Battle Efficiency ‘E’ award, and various service, expeditionary, unit and campaign awards. Officer Training Command Newport develops civilians and fleet Sailors into newly commissioned officers morally, mentally, and physically while also instilling them with the highest ideals of honor, courage, and commitment for service in the fleet as Naval officers. BZ Team! Learn the benefits of a Naval career. TEXT: FLOC to 764764 or CALL: 1-800-USA-NAVY. #NETC #NSTC #OTCN