The South Dakota Army National Guard recognized its top Soldiers during the state’s Best Warrior Competition awards ceremony Sept. 13, following three days of demanding physical, tactical and leadership events.
Sgt. Logan Larsen, 211th Engineer Company, was announced as the winner in the noncommissioned officer (NCO) category, and Spc. Aaron Van Hemert, 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, was named the junior enlisted winner. Both will advance to represent South Dakota at the Region 6 Best Warrior Competition in the summer of 2027 hosted in South Dakota.
"Every competitor arrived ready to compete, learn and give their best," said Command Sgt. Maj. Marcus Stacey, South Dakota Army National Guard senior enlisted leader. "Despite fatigue and unfamiliar events, motivation remained high from the opening fitness event until the final Soldier crossed the ruck-march finish line. Their professionalism, perseverance and genuine support for one another represented the very best of the South Dakota Army National Guard."
Sgt. Jamison Ries, 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery Brigade, was the NCO runner-up, and Spc. Manuelle Jaramillo, 842nd Engineer Company, was the junior enlisted runner-up.
Competitors were evaluated through events designed to test Army readiness, including the Army Combat Fitness Test, ruck march, obstacle course, water-fitness event, land navigation, stress shoot, board interviews, and written examinations. The overall competition events were based off the E3B format encompassing the requirements from the Expert Soldier Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, and Expert Field Medic Badge.
Stacey added that the competition's focus reflects broader training priorities. "The warfighting skills are really what you focus on in your units and train hard," he said. "Because at the end of the day, that's really what we're looking for, so that you can survive on the battlefield."
Brig. Gen. David Dailey, South Dakota National Guard assistant adjutant general for Army, commended the competitors for representing their units and accepting a challenging test of their abilities.
"No matter how today turned out, this weekend turned out, you're already the top of the organization that you're supporting — the best of what we've got," Dailey said. "You have to go out and train hard and to push hard. You gotta be at the top of your game all the time because our enemies aren't getting any weaker. We have to get stronger."
"You guys truly are the leaders of our organization over the next future years," Stacey said. "Please go back to your units, share this experience ... and encourage other people to participate."