Monroe’s 528th Eng. Bn. dominates brigade competition
Fraley, Neece move on to state competition
By 1st Lt. Amie E. Bashant
528th Eng. Bn. Public Affairs Representative
MONROE, La. – The 528th Engineer Battalion came away victorious at the annual 225th Engineer Brigade Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, La., Feb. 8-9.
Spc. Dillon Fraley and Staff Sgt. Jeremy Neece dominated the competition, winning the enlisted Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) categories, respectively. Both represented the 528th Engineer Battalion out of Monroe, La.
Both Soldiers will compete at the state competition next week, March 20-23 in Pineville, La, for the chance to represent the state at the regional competition.
The Best Warrior Competition tests enlisted Soldiers and NCO’s on both their mental and physical abilities. This year’s brigade-level competition included three NCO’s and three enlisted Soldiers that competed in an Army Physical Fitness Test, land navigation, board interview, and six-mile ruck march.
A member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 528th Eng. Bn., Fraley has been in the LANG for less than two years and this is his first BWC. He is also preparing for his upcoming deployment with the 528th.
“Never be content. To be content with what you’ve done will make you stagnant as a Soldier. You should strive to do better than your best,” said Fraley, a resident of West Monroe, La. “Once you’ve dominated whatever aspect you’ve looked to strive in, set your goals even higher.”
Fraley’s leadership praised his dedication to the competition.
“It is an honor to be Spc. Fraley first sergeant. The energy and drive he exhibits should inspire all Soldiers to be the best they can be, to conquer and overcome goals and challenges,” said First Sgt. Reggie Nolan, HHC, 528th Eng. Bn. “Spc. Fraley is fine examples of what a Soldier should be, know and do.”
Neece, a native of Independence, Mo., joined the Missouri Army National Guard in 1997 and transferred to the LANG in March 2012.
He participated in the 2013 Best Warrior Competition and was the Noncommissioned Officer runner-up for the state last year. Neece brings with him experience and knowledge to the upcoming state competition.
“This competition gives the units and the Soldiers who represent them, a rock-solid achievement that was earned through actual skills of the Soldier and the quality of the training provided by the unit,” said Neece, a resident of Ruston, La., and member of the 921st Engineer Company, 528th Eng. Bn.
“Winning both of the categories at the brigade level shows that as a battalion, the 528th is committed to training and leadership,” said 528th Eng. Bn. Command Sgt. Maj. Danny Riggs. “It’s great for our battalion and for the company these Soldiers are members of because it gives them recognition for their hard work.”