Local Soldier Competes in 'Super Bowl' of Army Competition

A Sherman Oaks native competed Oct. 6-9 in the 13th annual Best Warrior Competition in Fort Lee, Va., described as the ”Super Bowl” of Army competition.

Cpl. Ryan Perea, who is currently stationed in Fort Bragg, N.C., competed against 27 of the Army’s finest warriors, representing 14 commands from across the Army.

Soldiers selected to compete in the competition need to mastered a series of benchmarks throughout the year to qualify, according to the Army. All active duty Army, National Guards and reserve soldiers are eligible to compete.

Perea said it is an honor to have been selected to compete because the competition is the “epitome of what is expected as a soldier.”

“To be able to represent IMCOM at the Department of the Army-level Best Warrior Competition is a privilege, because it means they have the confidence in me to stand among the best that the Army can provide,” he said.

The biggest challenge for Perea in this competition, he said, is not the other competitors, but his self-doubt.

“It took me some time to come to grips with the fact that I was selected for a reason, and that far from fighting fate, I need to embrace it,” Perea said. “Getting past that hump helped me to change my perspective.”

In his four years in the Army, Perea has earned three Army Commendation Medals and one Certificate of Achievement.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony in Fort Lee on Thursday.