Sisters graduate is 'best warrior'

Sgt. Dane Moorehead, 2008 graduate of Sisters High School, was named the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year in the 2017 Oregon Best Warrior Competition held August 24-26, at Camp Rilea near Warrenton, Oregon.

Moorehead was one of 15 Oregon National Guard soldiers who competed for the elite titles of Soldier and NCO of the Year in a grueling competition that tested their mental and physical resolve.

Moorehead has been with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Brigade Troop Command, since June 2010. In 2014-15, he was deployed and served 11 months in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom. He earned several medals during that deployment, including the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for his actions while his unit was under enemy fire.

Competition included the Omaha Beach event, requiring high-crawls through the ocean surf in full battle gear to shore. Once on shore, Moorehead had to carry two cement-filled ammunition canisters to the top of a steep sand dune and then race back down to the finish line.

The stress-shoot portion of the event included three timed M9 pistol firing sequences while enduring stressful distractions such as smoke, sirens, yelling, and evacuating a simulated casualty from an Army vehicle. Other physical challenges included climbing ropes, crawling under wires, and maneuvering through a number of other obstacles.

Besides the physical testing, soldiers were required to complete a written exam and essay as well as face a board of sergeants major that tested their Army knowledge.

Moorehead will next represent Oregon in regional competitions to be held in Alaska in May 2018.

The son of Rod and Carol Moorehead of Sisters, he was named a National Merit Commended Scholar at SHS. He also participated in track and field and cross-country, as well as serving as the manager for the varsity basketball team.

When not training or deployed, Moorehead lives in Monmouth while attending Western Oregon University where he is majoring in psychology with a minor in biology.