“The best part of the Best Warrior Competition is the camaraderie. We get to meet Soldiers from different states and realize how small the Army really is,” says U.S. Army Spc. Carlos Montes, an infantryman with Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, Wyoming Army National Guard, competing in the Region VI Best Warrior Competition.
Montes joined the National Guard for the camaraderie and educational opportunities, but over the past four years, his commitment to service has continued to grow. A Wyoming resident originally from Colorado, he is preparing to begin a career in emergency medicine while balancing the demands of military service and the competition. Through the Best Warrior Competition, Montes hopes to continue developing as a leader, bring valuable lessons back to his unit, and eventually advance to the next level of competition. He enjoys learning from Soldiers from across the region and believes competing against the best from each state pushes everyone to perform at a higher level.
"It's bringing the best of the best from all the states in the region and pushing ourselves to limits that maybe we don't experience sometimes when we're competing in our states."
Montes considers it an honor to represent Wyoming and showcase the quality of Soldiers serving in the state. His dedication to duty reflects his commitment to continuous improvement, leadership, and service to his community.