Fort Benning

U.S. Army Fort Benning and The Maneuver Center of Excellence

International Best Mortar Competition Site

2026 International Best Mortar Competition


The International Best Mortar Competition is designed to test the physical, tactical, and technical capabilities of the best Indirect Fire Infantry Soldiers in the world. U.S. Army Soldiers who compete in the Best Mortar Competition have received specialized training and awarded the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code of 11C or the Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) of B1 for NCOs and 3Z for officers completing the Infantry Mortar Leader Course. International teams have received similar training through their own services. Those that compete are truly the finest Indirect Fire Infantry Soldiers from around the world, and are highly physically fit, technically proficient experts.


The 2026 International Best Mortar Competition will occur at Fort Benning from 06-11 April 2026.

International Mortar Competition

Events:
This Competition will test all elements of an Indirect Fire Soldier from technical and tactical tasks to physical fitness and endurance. The events to be tested will include the following: the Expert Physical Assessment, Mortars Gunner's Examination, Declinate M2A2 Aiming Circle, Lay in Section, FDC Examination, Medical Skills, LHMBC, MFCS, M16 Plotting Board Proficiency, M4 and M17 Marksmanship, Obstacle and Confidence Courses, Land Navigation, Call for Fire, and Mortar LFX Assessment.

Team:
Teams will consist of four personnel in the following grades: Two noncommissioned officers and two E-1 to E-4 or one O1 to O-2, one noncommissioned officer, and two E1 to E4. The O2/O1 must be serving in a Mortar Platoon Leader Position and be a graduate of Infantry Mortar Leader Course (IMLC). At least one member of the team must be a graduate of Infantry Mortar Leader Course (IMLC) with the additional skill identifier (ASI) of B1 or 3Z.

Packet Submission:

  1. Letters of Intent are due NLT 15FEB26. Team Competitor Packets are due NLT 01MAR26.
    Interested units may submit primary and alternate teams in their LOI.
  2. BMC Competitor Packet Example
  3. BMC 26 Welcome Letter
  4. BMC 26 Administrative Instructions

OIC - MTC Commander, Capt. Patrick Elsenbast, at Patrick.m.elsenbast.mil@army.mil or (303) 727-0846
POC - MTC Executive Officer, Capt. Connor Shields , at connor.j.shields3.mil@army.mil or (856) 449-8887