WAIMANALO, Hawaii - A combination of 11 Soldiers from across the island were pushed to their physical and mental limits during the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 2026 Best Warrior Competition, held March 6-8.
The grueling three-day event took place at the 298th Multi-Functional Training Regiment, and Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe. The field consisted of seven junior enlisted Soldiers, two noncommissioned officers and two officers competing for the title in their respective categories.
The winner of this year’s Soldier of the Year category was Spc. Brock Lindman, from Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry Regiment. Returning for his second year in a row, Lindman was surprised at the increased level of competition compared to 2025.
“Last year, in the lower enlisted category, everyone was awesome, but a few stood out,” Lindman said. “This year, everybody stood out in the lower enlisted category.”
In a rare feat of back-to-back dominance, the winner of this year’s NCO of the Year title is a familiar face to the podium, Sgt. Vu H. Nguyen from the Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry Regiment.
After winning the Soldier of the Year title in 2025, Nguyen was promoted to sergeant later in the year. The rank advancement allowed him to return immediately to the field to test himself against more senior peers.
“I feel honored to be able to come back and be able to compete as an NCO,” Nguyen said. “Being able to go back and tell my guys if I can do it, so can you.”
Also returning to the competition for a second year in a row, 1st Lt. Nathaniel A. Henderson, from Charlie Troop, 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry Regiment, won the Officer of the Year exhibition category. His victory secured a full sweep of all three categories for the 1-299 CAV in 2026.
“It was more challenging than last year because I thought I'd walk into it knowing everything, but there were changes; time requirements were reduced, weight requirements were increased, and even the stress shoot was different,” said Henderson. “Just because you did it once, doesn't mean you’ve got it in the bag. You still have to come with that go getter attitude and get after whatever's in front of you.”
The competition began on a Friday in Waimanalo with an equipment layout, ensuring every competitor possessed the essential gear required based on their packing list. The tempo accelerated quickly with an unknown distance ruck march through the humid terrain of Oahu, followed immediately by night land navigation.
“As soon as I finished my ruck march, I immediately started cramping,” said Henderson. “To hear we were about to start the land navigation in 30 minutes, I knew I needed to get something to eat and get some energy in me.”
On Saturday, the focus shifted to Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe. Competitors arrived at the shooting range before sunrise. At first light, they were timed on their technical proficiency of multiple weapon systems, including the M17 pistol, M4 carbine, M249 SAW, and M240L machine gun.
“Definitely do your due diligence and study up,” said Lindman. “My unit put me on orders so I could train up, especially on weapons.”
The weapon system knowledge testing was followed by a high-intensity "stress shoot." Competitors performed an array of physically demanding exercises and activities in between engaging targets with their weapons.
The day continued into the evening back at the training regiment in Waimanalo with the warrior task assessment lanes, designed similarly to the Expert Soldier Badge. The lanes tested basic skills including combat life-saving skills, applying camouflage and reacting to contact.
Sunday morning began before dawn with a 30-minute high-intensity circuit workout. Competitors wore full combat uniforms and plate carriers and performed as many rounds as possible, consisting of a 100-meter kettlebell carry, 20 hand-release pushups, 400-meter run, 15 goblet squats, 20 overhead press, 400-meter run (again), 30 kettlebell swings and a 60-second plank hold.
“Last year was pretty tiring, but I felt like this year was a lot more tiring because of the weighted exercises with kettlebells,” said Nguyen. “Last year, it was a lot more body weight, but this time it was more kettlebell and that got me good.”
After the physical portion of the competition, the Soldiers cleaned up and changed into their dress uniforms for a military board. The 11 competitors stood before a panel of senior leaders to be quizzed on military history, regulations and current events.
“The sincerest efforts they put into the physical fitness assessment event made me exceptionally proud,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Roy Yamada, the Command Sergeant Major of the Hawaii Army National Guard. “I could tell they were sore, they were tired, they were just exhausted, but they still did their very best, and they still pushed, even though you knew they had nothing left.”
The event wrapped up with an awards ceremony attended by unit leadership, friends and family, sending the two primary winners forward to represent Hawaii on the regional stage.
The winners of the Soldier and NCO categories earn the honor of representing Hawaii at the Region VII competition in New Mexico later this spring.
“I know it's going to be something to remember, so I'm stoked for that,” said Lindman. “Hopefully I can somehow bring it home for the state of Hawaii.”