Obray battles for ‘Best Warrior’ title
Kylie Saari — Staff WriterArticle Photos
FAIRMONT - What is the weight of a loaded M9 pistol? What does it weigh with no rounds?
These are the types of questions Army Reserve Specialist Richard Obray answered this week as he participated in one of the Army's most challenging tests - the Army Reserve Non-commissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year "Best Warrior" competition at Fort McCoy, Wis.
Obray, along with 29 other qualified reservists, endured five days of rigorous testing physical and mental challenges that, according to Obray, brought him to the brink of exhaustion. Included were a written exam, essay, and an appearance before the Sergeant Major Board to answer questions relating to the Army; a physical fitness test, including sit-ups, push-ups and a two-mile run; rifle marksmanship, with testing taking place during both day and night operations; urban warfighting orienteering, warrior tasks, and battle drills, in which participants had to work through battlefield scenarios and combat first aid, among other things. The week concluded with a mystery event. None of the competitors knew as they reported to their assigned location what they would face.
"About an hour ago I completed a combative with a ranger," Obray said of the mystery event. "No one had any idea when they showed up and were informed (the mystery event) would be a combative and tournament. We fought people from all over - a ranger, a prison guard, a police officer That ranger challenged us pretty good."
According to information sent by the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution Service, a media liaison for U.S. military personnel, the challenges are designed to give soldiers an opportunity to exhibit their knowledge of the Army and their soldiering skills against the Army tactical and field standards. The competition is to find the "best of the best," someone who personifies the ideals of the U.S. Army.
Obray began competing in Army events in December. He completed seven competitions before qualifying for this week's event. If he wins, he will go on to represent the Army Reserve at the Department of the Army's competition this fall.
Obray is hopeful for that opportunity.
"I don't want to speculate," he said of his chances of winning, "but I think I got it."
"(Winning) would be a personal achievement," he said. "Back in high school, I was not in shape. At 16, I could do a mile in 12:12. It means a lot to me to be an example." Obray now runs the mile in 5 minutes, 17 seconds.
To prepare for this week's event, Obray spent time in the bluffs and walking the lakes of Winona, where he is student president at Winona State University. Obray said he studied weapons and memorized Army trivia. He also had to plan for everything he might need for the week, right down to his socks.
Obray says he chose to compete because that is what the military taught him to do. "The military has taught me to challenge myself," he said in a media release. "I hope to personify the Warrior Ethos, until I can claim that I am the Best Warrior, I will never quit."
"It has been a great week," he said. "I have really enjoyed pushing myself to the limits." If he wins the competition, he plans to drop down on his university credit load and spend more time physically preparing for the next competition. He says that although he is in good shape, the competition did take its toll.
"The 25k with a 90-pound ruck was rough," he said. "I am going to be feeling that for a week."
Editor's Note: After speaking with Obray for this article, he was awarded the Best Warrior title. He will go on to compete at the Department of the Army NCO and Soldier Competition in Fort Lee, Va., at the end of September.
