Massachusetts Army National Guard Sgt. David Liu Takes Part in Northeast Best Warrior Competition

CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE , N.Y. (05/24/2018) Massachusetts Army National Guard Sgt. David T. Liu, an Attleboro resident, was one of 14 National Guard Soldiers who took part in the Northeast Region Best Warrior competition held May 16-19 at the New York National Guard's training camp near Peekskill, N.Y.

Liu who was competing in the non-commissioned category, is an infantryman assigned to Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry Regiment and a veteran of the Afghan War. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2011/2012.

The competition tests a Soldier's military knowledge, military skills, physical fitness, marksmanship, and stamina.

Soldiers in the ranks of private, private 1st class, and specialist compete in the enlisted category. Soldiers in the ranks of sergeant, staff sergeant and sergeant first class, compete against other Army National Guard non-commissioned officers.

Two Soldiers from each state - the winner in the enlisted and non-commissioned officer categories-took part in the May 16-19 event at Camp Smith.

The winner of the regional competition - which includes Soldiers from New England, New York and New Jersey-- goes on to compete at the national level to be best in the Army National Guard.

Two members of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry won the two competition categories and will represent the Northeast at the national level competition

Liu joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard in 2010 and attained his current rank in January 2014.

In civilian life he is a patrolman in the Providence Police Department and holds a degree from Fitchburg State College.

According to Liu, he entered the Massachusetts Army National Guard Best Warrior contest because his platoon leadership encouraged him and he wanted to broaden his military experience.

The competition tasks are specifically designed to mirror what Soldiers must do in combat.

These included combat simulations, a 12-mile forced march, Soldier tasks and battle drills, marksmanship and board interviews, physical fitness tests, and written exams.

The Soldiers also had the opportunity to compete and earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge thanks to an arrangement with the German Army Liaison Office at the United States Military Academy. West Point is located just across the Hudson River from Camp Smith.

The competition tested each Soldier in various events such as:
• Ten "hands-on" Army warrior tasks.
• First aid on the battlefield.
• Land navigation using a map and compass.
• The Army Physical Fitness Test.
• Day and night land navigation.
• Stress shooting, where Soldiers must negotiate obstacles and perform physical tasks while shooting.

The road march was held at the United States Military Academy at West Point and finished at the Fort Putnam historic site high above the Hudson River.

The competitors also had the opportunity to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge is one of the few approved foreign awards American service members can wear. The test includes swimming in uniform, pistol marksmanship and an 11x10 meter sprint, chin-ups, and 1000 meter run.

Liu earned this award along with being named Best Warrior.

Liu's awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Air Assault Badge. He is also a graduate of the Army's Military Mountaineer School.

A video about the competition can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCjMqjwT3S0