Bragg NCO gears up for Best Ranger competition

By Staff Sgt. Andrew T. Alfano
82nd Abn. Div. PAO

April 14, 2011

Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew T. Alfano/82nd Abn. Div. PAO Corporal Eric Bell continues to train for the Best Ranger Competition scheduled for Friday through Sunday at Fort Benning, Ga. Bell, a Houston native, assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, expertly clears “the weaver” on an obstacle course (Lil Nasty). Bell, one of the most junior ranking on the team, has been working out six hours a day nearly every day since October. The Best Ranger Competition has a reputation of being one of the most physically and mentally demanding competitions in the U.S. Army.

Since making it through tryouts, his main purpose has been training. Week in and week out he spends about six hours a day working out. He swims, conducts heavy weight ruck marches for twelve-mile stretches and runs any obstacle courses he can find. He ruck marches to ranges then does sprints carrying water cans before he picks up a weapon to shoot in various positions. He regularly goes to the gym for various crossfit routines pulling weighted sleds, jumping rope and lifting weights. Also, he jumps from planes every chance he gets to maintain proficiency and improve his techniques.

Why would 25 year old Cpl. Eric Bell from Scout Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division put himself through all this for more than seven months?

He’s doing it for the Best Ranger Competition, held every year at Fort Benning, Ga. This year the competition will be held Friday through Sunday.

“To say that this competition is not for the weak or faint of heart would be an understatement,” said Maj. Michael Scarpulla, a Ranger Training Battalion operations officer of the 2010 competition.

The competition tests the grit of the best of the best in Army with events chosen at random and unknown distances. Bell, a Houston native, will be the most junior member of the eight paratroopers the 82nd Airborne Division will be sending to this historically tough competition.
“It feels good that we were the ones picked to represent division,” Bell said. “It’s an honor. I wanted to do this so I can be the best at what I do. This isn’t something that is given to you; you have to go and take it.”

Those who know him agree that he is the right choice for this competition.

“He’s very dedicated”, said Spc. Joe Simpson of the same scout platoon as Bell. “He has been training since before he got his (Ranger) tab. He spends all of his time training. He definitely has the heart and drive to win. He doesn’t let anyone do anything better than him,” Simpson said.
Despite the fact that he has only been in the Army for a little more than two years, Bell has already earned the respect of those senior to him.

“He passed Ranger school as a private first class,” said Sgt. Adam Podway, also in the scout platoon with Bell. “He went straight through with no recycles. He has always shown great potential. His team seems like they have a strong chance at winning the competition.”

Members of Bell’s platoon saw firsthand the type of fight he is able to take to the enemy at the Joint Readiness Training Center.

“One time we were at JRTC, in a platoon assault of an (opposing forces) objective. Bell and his squad pushed ahead alone. He was mercing (eliminating) enemy left and right with his M-249 in the dark with no night vision equipment. He was all about accomplishing the mission,” said Podway.

Bell’s drive has inspired his team members.

Sgt. Anthony Hurajt, of the same scout platoon as Bell, said “He’s never going to quit. No matter how tired or hungry, I look over at Cpl. Bell and see if he’s doing it then so can I.

“Since he’s been here we have been the best platoon,” Hurajt said. “Bell makes everyone around him better. The first time I met him in Ranger School, even though I outranked him, he yelled at me because I was doing the wrong thing.”

“I’m not doing this (competition) for the pistols (prize for winning), Bell said. “I’m doing this to test myself. Also, I want to pick up some pointers to make myself better.”

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