Two Fort Leonard Wood Soldiers are heading to Fort Benning, Georgia, to compete for the title of Best Ranger team

Two Fort Leonard Wood Soldiers are mustering up their grit and determination and heading to Fort Benning, Georgia, to compete for the title of Best Ranger team.
Both teammates are part of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps. Originally from Philadelphia, Capt. Reed Radford, is now the 84th Chemical Battalion operations officer. Capt. Zeke Dodd is with Company A, 84th Chemical Battalion, and is a small group leader for the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School’s Officer Training Department. Dodd said his family hails from Virginia. The 39th Best Ranger Competition is scheduled to take place this Friday through Sunday. The competition is designed to test the mental fortitude, physical stamina, and tactical and technical proficiency of the competitors. In the past, the competition has had events, such as an obstacle course, rifle marksmanship, airborne operations, a 20-plus mile ruck march, bayonet assault, rappelling, and military knots. The competition is scheduled to last for at least 60 continuous hours, cover more than 60 miles, and offers no time for sleep. Radford is no stranger to competing with the best of the best. Last year, he tackled the Best Ranger Competition; in 2021, he competed in the Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers Best Sapper Competition; and in 2019, he participated in the Best CBRN Warrior Competition.