Story by JFC Naples Public Affairs Office

UBDINA, Croatia - Competitors from several NATO nations were invited to the 7^th annual Croatian Best Soldier competition in Udbina, Croatia 3 to 11 May.

Participants included 150 Officers, NCO’s and Enlisted Soldiers at the Croatian Army Base named “Josip Jovic.”

Sergeant First Class (OR-7) Matthew Baggett represented JFC Naples. Baggett is JFC Naples International Military Police NCOIC from BSG, Security Emergency Services,

The competition consisted of a 40-kilometer ruck march carrying a 17-kilogram rucksack. 

Competitors we required to plot 26 grid coordinates and use land navigation to locate and reach each of 12 evaluation “Soldier Task” stations in sequence, spanning the entire 40 kilometer route. 

Participants were evaluated on employing hand grenades, firing the AT-4 rocket launcher, rifle and pistol marksmanship, tactical care under fire (first aid), call for artillery fire, locating an unknown position on a map by “resection,” identifying and searching an enemy detainee, navigating an NBC contaminated mine field, completing an infantry obstacle course and crossing of water obstacles using the “tyrol traverse.”

Competitors received four days of familiarization on competition evaluation events prior to execution.

Participants had to complete the entire course in sequence within 10 hours.

Of 146 total Competitors, 122 completed the entire course within the time allotment.