By Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT BENNING, Ga. — After two full days and nights of events to test their stamina, technical prowess and mental acuity, teams crossed the finish line during the 2019 Best Ranger Competition April 14, 2019, at Camp Rogers at Fort Benning, Ga. (Photo by Patrick A. Albright)
FORT BENNING, Ga. — The annual Best Ranger Competition challenged the best 53 two-man teams of U.S. Army Rangers. Teams went through three-grueling days of competition April 12-14, 2019, at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Three out of the 53 teams at this year’s competition represented the 4th Infantry Division, teams five, six and seven.
The six Soldiers to represent the division included: 1st Lt. Connor Bestwick, 1st Lt. Nick Rodriguez, 1st Lt. Jacob Boyle, 1st Lt. Clay Stanley, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua Detwiler and Staff Sgt. Dale Taylor, all with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
The three-day competition started with an early morning mass run, which led into events such as the Victory Pond swim, urban assault course, various ranges and a foot march, among many other events.
FORT BENNING, Ga. — The 28 remaining teams of the 2019 Best Ranger Competition begin day two events at Todd Field with various round-robin events April 13, 2019, at Fort Benning, Ga. The teams took part in a modified Army Combat Fitness Test, an Expert Infantryman Badge weapons lane and a dual-tower and knot-testing challenge. (Photo by Markeith Horace)
“Participating in a competition like this felt like stepping out onto the Super Bowl field, as the known underdog, having never competed,” said Boyle, assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd IBCT. “I felt proud to represent Fort Carson and all the Soldiers I deployed with last year.”
With each day the number of teams began to decrease, ultimately only 16 teams made it to the third and final day.
Among them remained team six, which included Boyle and his teammate Detwiler, with 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd IBCT.
“I had an amazing partner and we supported each other during the entire competition, one obstacle at a time,” said Detwiler. “I am incredibly proud that we could (take) the 4th Inf. Div. to the end and place.”
The members of team six said they felt honored to be able to compete and the competition helped them understand the importance of mental strength.
“There are very few opportunities to test your mental grit and this competition has proven … my Ranger buddy and I have the grit of warriors,” said Boyle.
For Detwiler, competing and being able to stay to the very end was like a dream come true, he said.
“To be able to compete in the Best Ranger Competition shows that you are the best of the best within the divisions; the fact that I was afforded that opportunity was amazing,” he said. “I hope to inspire future Rangers to compete as well.”
FORT BENNING, Ga. — Ranger teams of the 2019 Best Ranger Competition complete an event April 13, 2019. (Photo by Patrick A. Albright)
FORT BENNING, Ga. — Ranger teams of the 2019 Best Ranger Competition complete various events April 13, 2019, testing their physical and mental agility. (Photo by Patrick A. Albright)FORT BENNING, Ga. — Ranger teams of the 2019 Best Ranger Competition complete various events April 13, 2019, testing their physical and mental agility. (Photo by Patrick A. Albright)
FORT BENNING, Ga. — The 28 remaining teams of the 2019 Best Ranger Competition begin day two events at Todd Field with various round-robin events April 13, 2019. (Photo by Markeith Horace)
FORT BENNING, Ga. — The 28 remaining teams of the 2019 Best Ranger Competition begin day two events at Todd Field with various round-robin events April 13, 2019. (Photo by Markeith Horace)
FORT BENNING, Ga. — Rangers swim during the 2019 Best Ranger Competition April 12, 2019, at Camp Rogers at Fort Benning, Ga. After two full days and nights of events to test their stamina, technical prowess and mental acuity, 16 teams crossed the finish line concluding competition. (Photo by Patrick A. Albright)