Brandon Soldier Wants to Be Army's Best Warrior

As 26 of the Army’s top soldiers square off in a competition of wits and endurance, a Brandon man is hoping to bring the trophy home to the Tampa Bay area.

Staff Sgt. Jacob Kasarda, 30, is one of those competing in the Army’s “Best Warrior” contest. Described as the “Super Bowl” of Army competitions, the 14th annual event pits contestants against each other in a variety of tests.

Kasarda explains the competition is part brain and part brawn. It includes tests in urban warfare simulations and physical fitness. Battle drills, warrior tasks, written exams and even board interviews are all part of the event. When all is said and done, this year’s Department of the Army Solider and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year will be named.

The competition is taking place at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia this week. It runs through Oct. 12 when the winners will be named.

While still heavily embroiled in the competition, Kasarda took some time out to speak with Patch.

“Having the opportunity to compete is probably one of the best honors (I’ve had) since I joined the Army,” Kasarda said.

The 26 competitors were each nominated from their own commands to take part in this year’s event, Kasarda explained. Just being nominated to take part and surviving the preliminary events is a big honor in and of itself, he said.

The multiday competition is grueling, Kasarda said, but preparation for the event is something that comes naturally in the Army.

“Luckily, the training doesn’t deviate much from what we do on a daily basis,” he said.

One of the events involves a 20 kilometer (12.4-mile) road march. While that might seem like a walk in the park for some, Kasarda said competitors have to lug around about 95 pounds of gear while they complete that march. Aside from endurance, shooting, first aid, communications and even basic Army knowledge are also critical to competition success.

While Kasarda is up against the Army’s finest, he’s aiming to come out on top in this year’s event. If he pulls it off, he said it would be a real honor to bring a trophy back that shows “Brandon has produced one of the finest soldiers.”

Kasarda is a 2003 graduate of Brandon High School. He followed his father, retired Maj. Michael Kasarda, into the military.

As for those considering life as a soldier, he provided this insight: “It is more than just a job. It’s closer to a lifestyle and a career. The skills we learn in the Army are very broad and diverse, but the Army doesn’t go on forever.”

With that in mind, he counsels incoming soldiers to keep an eye on the future and take the skills and education offered seriously while always striving to serve with pride.

Jacob Kasarda is currently stationed in Belgium as part of the Installation Management Command. That division offers base support at Army installations across the globe. It’s mission is to “deliver and integrate base support to enable readiness for a self-reliant and globally responsive all-volunteer Army.” Its responsibilities include housing, fire, police and child-care services, among others.

Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Jacob Kasarda pulls himself down a rope during the 2015 Installation Management Command’s Best Warrior Competition qualifying event at Camp Bullis in Texas. That event took place in May. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army/Joshua Ford, IMCOM