By David Spunt Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
It's called the Best Ranger Competition, and it tests Army Rangers' physical and mental capabilities on just a few hours of sleep. News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!Friday, Fort Benning started its 25th Annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition.
It was just after daybreak, and more than 50 rangers from different Army posts around the country were ready to embark on a three day journey.
SGT Andy Fuccillo from Fort Lewis, Washington, is one of them.
“I want to say praise God and thank the lord for Ben and I getting this far," he said.
Both Fuccillo and his teammate, SPC Bennett Purdy, say they use their faith as their main strategy.
Fuccillo is a chaplain's assistant and says he's proud to be a ranger.
Cheering Fuccillo along is his wife, Sarah. They'll be celebrating their one year anniversary in June.
“We're trying to follow all the events and yell as loud as we can and we brought our famous cowbell from our family athletic competition, so hopefully that will bring good luck,” she said.
Fuccillo and Purdy started their morning by running through an obstacle course, jumping from a helicopter and firing targets far off in the distance.
Fuccillo and Purdy agree, the next three days will be tough, but they're using their faith to try to get through the next few days and rank at or near the top.
“Like Isaiah 40:31 says: those who trust in the lord will renew their strength and they will run and not be weary and they will walk and not be tired,” he said.
Team number seven says even if they don't win the competition, they hope to make it in the top ten.
The competition will end Sunday afternoon with a formal awards ceremony on Monday. News three will bring you results from the competition over the weekend.
