Camp Butner Training Center, North Carolina — The North Carolina National Guard conducted its 2026 State Best Warrior Competition Jan. 11–15, 2026, at Camp Butner Training Center. The four-day competition challenged Soldiers across a wide range of Army warrior tasks, evaluating not only fundamental warfighting skills but also mental resilience and physical endurance under demanding conditions. The event was designed to assess overall combat readiness and identify the most capable Soldiers to represent the state at higher-level competitions.
“It’s a lot more intense than I expected it to be.” said Sergeant Sammuel Manning, an infantryman in 30th Brigade 1-120th Infantry. Cadet Claudia DePouli, a cadet in 60th Troop Command 5-113th Field Artillery, said “No matter how good you think you are, you have people to the left and right of you that are just as good as you.”
With temperatures ranging from the low 20s to the low 50s, competitors faced challenges beyond the events themselves. Physical fatigue from a 12-mile ruck march, the Army Fitness Test, and the Expert Soldier Physical Fitness Test was compounded by the mental strain of night land navigation, Boards and a timeline unknown. Throughout the competition, Soldiers were pushed to their limits, demonstrating not only technical proficiency but also determination, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.
“It's my last chance to compete before I commission, and I want to be an example to my future NCOs and Soldiers.” said Cadet Depouli. To me, winning would be a way to give back to my unit. The NCOs, leadership, and even junior soldiers have invested so much in me and my development, even knowing that one day I'll be leaving them. I want to show them that all their effort wasn't wasted.”
“I want to represent my unit because we take a lot of pride in being the best engineers in the state, so it means a lot to me that my unit selected me to represent them.” said Army Specialist Jonathen Suh, a combat engineer with 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade 883 Engineer Company. “It gives me a chance to prove myself not just to myself but my unit, the state, and the Army as a whole; that's just not an opportunity you can turn down.”
For some competitors, participation in the Best Warrior Competition was about more than personal achievement or testing physical limits. “For me, I missed active duty, and this was the closest I got to feeling like active duty again. You show up and hang out with a bunch of like-minded folks, you mess around with guns and shoot targets and do hard PT and get sweaty. There's not much more to a better day.” said Sgt. Manning.
In the noncommissioned officer category, Sgt. Manning, an infantryman in the 30th Brigade 1-120th Infantry, earned first place, with Cadet DePouli, a cadet in 60th Troop Command 5-113th Field Artillery, finishing as the runner-up. In the junior enlisted category, Spc. Sean Hannier, an infantryman assigned to 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Charlie Company, 252nd Infantry Regiment, took first place. Spc. Thomas Tulbert, a cavalry scout assigned to 60th Troop Command, Bravo 1/20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), finished as the runner-up.
Both first-place winners will advance to the regional Best Warrior Competition, which will be hosted by North Carolina later this year.
“I learned a lot about what I'm lacking and where I can improve as a Soldier.” said Specialist Suh.