US Army tank crew wins global competition
Outbidding 4 other nations
A four-person tank crew from the US Army’s 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armoured Brigade, 1st Armoured Division, has made history by becoming the first American team to win the prestigious US Army Europe and Africa International Tank Challenge.
The victory, which took place in Grafenwoehr, Germany, saw the team triumph over competitors from four other nations during the week-long competition, which ran from February 10 to 17, 2025.
The International Tank Challenge, first held from 2016 to 2018, was paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other military engagements. This year’s challenge consisted of 10 events designed to test tank crews’ physical endurance, marksmanship, and mental acuity. The competition offered a rigorous test of skills across various battlefield scenarios, requiring precision, speed, and teamwork under intense pressure.
Sergeant 1st Class Kevin Greene, the tank commander of the victorious American crew, expressed his disbelief at the achievement. “It still hasn’t fully set in for me, yet, that we managed to win this competition in the manner that it happened,” Greene said. “The other crews behind and chasing us are talented crews, and the fact that we’re the first American team to win on this stage is incredible.”
The event, sponsored by the 7th Army Training Command, saw teams from Italy, Denmark, Slovenia, and Switzerland take part, with the US Army fielding two teams. The competition tested crews in everything from physical fitness and tactical decision-making to weapons proficiency.
The winning team, known as the “Death Dealers” of the 1-67 AR, took an unconventional approach to their preparation. Instead of assembling a specially selected “dream team” from across the battalion, leaders sought out the most well-rounded crew.
US Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Jean, the battalion’s senior enlisted leader, explained that the team’s success was due to their technical and tactical competency. This strategy paid off as Greene and his crew surged from fifth place to first in the final hours of the competition.
“Their performance speaks to their resilience,” said Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Robert Humphrey. “At 56 hours in, they were in the middle of the pack, and they could have just coasted, but that wasn’t their mentality. They pushed on and finished strong. That’s the ‘Death Dealer’ mentality.”
While the crew’s late surge was remarkable, Greene admitted they initially struggled in the early stages due to a lack of physical preparation. Having just returned from three weeks of field exercises, the crew was not fully ready for the intense physical demands of the competition. However, Greene said his team excelled in the crucial moments of tank operation.
“We started kind of slow in the first few tasks, but once we were in the tank and focused on being lethal, that’s where we thrived,” Greene explained. “Being a combat arms unit, especially on tanks, being lethal is one of our foundations. I think this competition showed our ability to perform under pressure.”
The victory was a testament to the crew’s tactical and technical prowess and readiness for real-world combat. “If we need to deploy these tanks into battle again, I’m confident that my crew is mentally and physically prepared to be as lethal as possible,” Greene said. “We focus on that ‘one shot, one kill’ mindset, which is key in combat.”
As a result of their triumph, Greene and his team—comprising Gunner Sgt. Graham Parker, Loader Spc. Donovan Lavery, and Driver Pfc. Nicolae Lawson—received Army Commendation Medals. Additionally, they were inducted into the US Cavalry and Armor Association’s Honourable Order of St. George, a prestigious recognition of excellence in armoured warfare.
The US Army’s success in the 2025 International Tank Challenge highlights its personnel’s professionalism, skill, and determination.
Image: US, Swiss, and Italian tankers participated in the opening ceremony of the US Army Europe and Africa International Tank Challenge at the 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, on February 11, 2025. The challenge was designed to build tactical skills and enhance esprit de corps. Credit: US Army Spc. Adrian Greenwood
