Best Warrior
When it comes to warrior training in the Idaho Army National Guard, Daniel Thompson is at the top in the state.
The 28-year-old from Rathdrum recently won the Non-commissioned Officer Category of the Guard's Best Warrior Competition in Boise.
The finish earned Thompson, a staff sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, 204th Regional Training Institute in Boise, the right to compete in the Region 6 Best Warrior Competition at Camp Rapid in Rapid City, S.D., in May.
"I want to inspire the troops I lead," Thompson said of why he competes. "It's an experience that everybody should at least try to compete in to better themselves. Before the competition, you do a lot of training so it helps keep you sharp."
Thompson, who graduated from Project CDA in 2003, won a competition within his unit to advance to the state contest. At state, he competed against five other local winners.
The regional contest will also feature state winners from Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. The winner will advance to the national contest in Fort Benning, Ga.
In the contests, participants are evaluated on Army aptitude, military bearing and knowledge, warrior tasks and physical endurance.
"Competing is a blast, but it's also very stressful," Thompson said. "It's definitely something that tests every individual who competes. I'll definitely be training up on physical fitness and staying sharp on weapons skills (before the regional contest)."
Thompson served most of his Guard duty out of the Post Falls armory before being transferred to the Boise unit. He was deployed to Iraq in 2010.
The winner of the Soldier Category at the state contest, and also advancing to regional, was Spc. Elijah Putnam, of Roberts and attached to Company C, 145th Brigade Support Battalion.
National Guard youth academy session to be held in Post Falls
POST FALLS - Idaho Youth Challenge Academy representatives will host an informational session on Thursday at 5 p.m. at the National Guard armory in Post Falls, 5453 E. Seltice Way.
The mission of the academy, part of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, is to provide a disciplined, safe and professional learning environment that empowers at-risk youth to improve their educational level and employment potential and become responsible and productive citizens.
The academy, free for Idaho students, is a state-run program for 16- to 18-year-olds who have dropped out of high school or are at risk due to credit deficiency or other risk factors.
There are 35 youth challenge programs in 28 states and Puerto Rico. Idaho's academy is in Pierce. It will welcome its first class on Jan. 18.
Students who graduate from the 22-week residential program typically earn 14 credits toward their high school diploma. The program focuses on academic excellence, leadership, life and job skills, service to community, citizenship, physical fitness and hygiene.