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Peekskill Native Competes In Army Reserve Warrior Competition

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- A former Peekskill resident is out to show he's one of the best and brightest in the Army. 

Pfc. Greg Doty searches a suspect during a search and seizure event as part of the Army Warrior Tasks.

Pfc. Greg Doty searches a suspect during a search and seizure event as part of the Army Warrior Tasks.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Sgt. 1st Class Michel Sauret

Spc. Gregory P. Doty, a Peekskill native is competing in the Army Reserve's Best Warrior Competition this week at Ft. Dix in New Jersey.

Doty, who now lives in Brooklyn and attends Pace University in Manhattan, is aiming to be selected as the Army Reserve's Soldier and NCO of the year.

Doty is spending  week facing a variety of challenges, which consist of: the army physical fitness test, consisting of push-ups, sit-ups and a two mile-run; completing a written examination on general military topics; firing M-4 rifles; negotiating an urban orienteering ourse; and proving his mettle in other tests of skill such as hand-to-hand combat, first aid and various mystery events.

"I drove down here Saturday, got processed Sunday and we kicked off Monday morning," Doty said. "I haven't gotten a lot of sleep or a lot of food and there's a lot of heat."

Doty said he's been working on flight navigation and was about to take his artillery test. Doty said he wanted to compete because of some of the incentives he could get his unit including time off and money for the unit.

Urban orienteering is Doty's best skill while he said he has a lot of military topics to study.

"You can never get enough studying," Duty said. "We have big books to study and read through."

Doty said he has wanted to join the army since he was 9 years old and enlisted in April 2012, graduating from initial entry training last year. Doty is currently stationed in Saugerties, N.Y. 

"Being from Peekskill, West Point is right across the river," Doty said. "We used to hike the Appalachian trail through West Point."

Since joining the Army, Doty said he has enjoyed the experience.

"It's an absolute honor," Doty said. "I love everything we do, especially the physical stuff like hiking." 

Doty said the army has taught him about true structure and discipline.

"Before I joined I was not even close to the character I am now," Doty said. "Now I live everyday to set an example."

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