Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Spc. Cole Bechtold, 190th Chemical Reconnaissance Detachment, Montana...... read more read more
DEVILS LAKE, ND — Sixteen National Guard competitors representing eight states tested their physical endurance, technical proficiency, and leadership abilities during the Region VI Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Grafton Training Center, North Dakota, from May 31 to June 5, 2026.
The annual competition brought together Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming to compete in a series of events designed to identify the region’s top warrior.
Throughout the competition, participants completed formal boards, written examinations, weapons proficiency events, land navigation, physical fitness assessments, Expert Soldier Badge task lanes, a 12-mile ruck march, rappelling, confidence course obstacles, and combatives competitions. Competitors were evaluated on their ability to perform under pressure while demonstrating the technical and tactical skills expected of today's National Guard Soldiers and noncommissioned officers.
"The Best Warrior Competition builds camaraderie and brings states together," said North Dakota State Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Kachena. "These competitors train hard, then bring what they've learned back to their units and share it with other Soldiers. It builds readiness across the force… I'm proud of every one of them."
Beyond determining the region's top Soldier and NCO, the competition served as a readiness exercise designed to strengthen military skills, build confidence, and foster professional relationships across state lines.
"The competition gives Soldiers and NCOs an opportunity to challenge themselves outside of their normal duties," said Command Sgt. Maj. Kendall Struxness, North Dakota National Guard G3 Operations Command Sgt. Maj. and incoming North Dakota State Command Sgt. Maj. "It's the best of the best from each state coming together, building camaraderie and demonstrating what right looks like."
For many participants, the event represented months of preparation that involved physical training, military studies, and mentorship from previous competitors. Staff Sgt. Brock Mudge, an infantryman with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, Washington Army National Guard, said the competition provided an opportunity to measure personal growth while learning from fellow Guardsmen.
"We all studied together. We wanted to make sure everybody was at the top of their game so that the competition was real," said Mudge. "We're a team that's just competitive with each other."
Throughout the week, competitors faced both physical and mental challenges, adapting to unfamiliar situations and operating under strict time constraints. Events were designed to replicate conditions Soldiers may encounter during military operations and required participants to demonstrate proficiency across a broad range of Soldier skills, from marksmanship and navigation to tactical decision-making and leadership.
In addition to individual performance, competitors emphasized the camaraderie developed during the event.
"Meeting individuals from around the United States is my favorite part of the Best Warrior Competition," said Spc. Omar Rios, Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 148th Field Artillery Regiment, Idaho Army National Guard. "Everybody's great in their own field, so it's awesome to learn from them and exchange experiences while we're here."
The Soldier category winner, U.S. Army Spc. Omar Rios, Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 148th Field Artillery Regiment, Idaho Army National Guard, and the NCO category winner, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Richard Tangen, a bridge crewmember with the 957th Engineer Company, North Dakota Army National Guard, will advance to the National Guard Bureau Best Warrior Competition, where they will compete against top Army National Guard Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from across the nation July 9–16, 2026, at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center in Starke, Florida, hosted by the Florida National Guard.
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.30.2026 15:27 |
| Story ID: | 573528 |
| Location: | DEVILS LAKE, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Region VI Best Warrior Competition Brings Together Top National Guard Soldiers from Eight States, by SGT Anna Welchel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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