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 Sean Kief

Mr. Thomas J. Michelli - C5ISR Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Inductee

U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command

March 26, 2025 | 8:04

Mr. Thomas Michelli’s 30-year career of exceptional performance impacted the broadest spectrum of C5ISR from tactical and strategic Army systems, to joint and defense-wide systems, to critical national command systems supporting the highest levels of C5ISR. Mr. Michelli was the Director of the Office of Plans and Programs at the Tri-Service Tactical Communications (TRI-TAC) Office (redesignated as the Joint Tactical Command Control Communications Agency (JTC3A) in 1984). In 1986, Mr. Michelli transitioned back to the Army structure as the Associate Technical Director of the U.S. Army Information Systems Management Activity / Program Manager Army Information Systems (USAISMA/PM AIS) to influence an even broader spectrum of C5ISR. In 1987, PM AIS became PEO Networks, with Mr. Michelli designated the Deputy PEO. Mr. Michelli’s fingerprints touched nearly every desk of the Army, as he oversaw and played an active role of the Army Small Computer Program (ASCP, now labeled CHESS). This program pioneered the implementation of multiple award IDIQ contracting, which today is one of the most powerful contracting tools for rapid solutioning of military requirements. In his last few years of government service, Mr. Michelli was responsible for two exceptionally noteworthy accomplishments: the relocation of the SOUTHCOM HQ command center from Panama to Miami and the massive Pentagon Renovation project where Mr. Michelli oversaw the relocation and upgrades of all critical C5ISR assets from desktops to national command centers, for which he was selected as a Distinguished Rank recipient of the Presidential Rank award in 1996.