 Now ready to go? All right, we'll start over here if you guys want to follow me. Seven non-commissioned officers and six junior enlisted soldiers competed in the 2021 Arkansas State Fast Warrior Competition at Camp Robinson Maneuver Training Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas, February 22nd, 325th. These soldiers represented four of the Arkansas Army National Guard's major commands, Fort Chaffee and Camp Robinson Maneuver Training Centers, and the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center. Competitors arrived on Monday to check in and receive briefings before joining one another for a carb-loaded meal in preparation for an intense week of physically and mentally demanding challenges. The competition kicked off with a physical fitness test early Tuesday morning. After a quick warm-up, competitors performed five of the six events found in the new Army Combat Fitness Test to include the three repetition maximum deadlift, the standing power throw, the hand-release push-up, the sprint drag carry, and the leg tuck. Shortly after, the soldiers took part in an appearance board event where they presented themselves individually to a board composed of their senior leaders. They were evaluated on their personal appearance, presence, and their Army knowledge. Afterwards, it was off to the ranges for an afternoon of shooting. Competitors zeroed and qualified with their assigned M4 rifles before finishing the day by completing a stress test shooting event. Wednesday's first event starting at 4 a.m. meant a very early wake-up for the soldiers on their second day of competition. They plotted points and located objectives in the dark of the early morning during this nightland navigation challenge. Competitors then completed a multi-weapon shooting lane where they engaged a variety of targets with various weapons including an M17 pistol, M4 rifle, and an M249 squad automatic weapon. Continuing with the theme of shooting, the subsequent sprint drag carry shoot event challenged the soldiers to maintain their marksmanship after just performing several physically demanding tasks. These include a movement while reacting to fire, carrying two 40-pound ammo cans, and dragging a sled with a simulated casualty. Day two of the competition came to a close with an eight-mile rock march that left competitors exhausted after a long, grueling day of physical activity. Thursday, the final day of competition for the soldiers, began at the Arkansas State Police Training Facility where competitors ran through what the troopers call the Arkansas Physical Assessment Test. Soldiers overcame six obstacles including a five-foot simulated water jump, an incline decline ramp, hurdles, the physical control simulator, a burpee-intensified vault bar, and a 100-pound sandbag carry. Following that, competitors navigated 19 obstacles on Camp Robinson's newly bill obstacle course, quickly realizing just how physically demanding completing the entirety of the course would be. Obstacles with names as daunting as the Tough One and the Tarzan quickly drained soldiers of their stamina as they struggled to push through to the end. Their exhaustion was apparent as they crossed the finish line. Then, competitors were in for a shock when they found out the final event of the competition wouldn't involve overcoming another challenge, but overcoming one another. Non-commissioned officers and junior enlisted soldiers were divided respectively into two tournament brackets and egos were on the line in a high-intensity, combative tournament. After three long days, the 2021 Arkansas State Best Warrior Competition culminated with an awards ceremony. Family, friends, peers, and senior leaders were in attendance to commend and congratulate the competitors on a job well done. Though all 13 soldiers gave it their all, only two, one junior enlisted soldier and one non-commissioned officer could take home a trophy. Specialist, Curvis Dunhu, assigned to the installation support unit of Robinson Maneuver Training Center, and Staff Sergeant Trent Dalton, assigned to the Marksmanship Training Center, were declared the winners. All of the competitors received an abundance of accolades and praise. Dunhu and Dalton will go on to compete in a regional-level competition later this year.