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Maryland Army National Guard’s Best Warrior Competition: Top Soldiers Advance to Regional Contest

GLEN ARM, Md. – The Maryland Army National Guard concluded its annual State Best Warrior Competition on April 4, 2025, a rigorous three-day event designed to identify and honor the state’s most proficient Soldiers. Held from April 2 to April 4, the competition challenged participants through a series of demanding physical and mental tasks, reflecting the Army’s commitment to excellence and readiness.​

Finalists Announced:

  • Officer of the Year: Cadet Trevor Knight, 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade.
  • Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Sgt. Kevin Joiner, Joint Force Headquarters.
  • Soldier of the Year: Spc. Nathan Walker, 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade.

These finalists will advance to the Region II Best Warrior Competition, where they will compete against peers from Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. Success at the regional level opens the door to the National Best Warrior Competition, an event that brings together the top Soldiers from across the Army National Guard to vie for the title of Best Warrior.​

Competitors faced a variety of events aimed at testing their tactical skills, endurance, and leadership abilities. These included Army Warrior Tasks lanes, shotgun qualifications, stress shooting exercises, and obstacle courses. Each challenge was designed to simulate real-world scenarios, testing that Soldiers are prepared for the complexities of modern military operations.​

The Best Warrior Competition holds significant meaning for its participants. It serves not only as a platform to showcase individual skills but also as an opportunity to embody the Army’s core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. For many, competing is a testament to their dedication to personal and professional growth within the military.​

Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Metzger, command sergeant major of the Maryland Army National Guard, shared his thoughts on the competition:​

“The State Best Warrior Competition is more than a contest of individual skills; it’s a catalyst for building unity and mutual respect among our Soldiers. Through shared challenges and collective perseverance, participants forge bonds that strengthen our force’s cohesion and readiness.”​

In a message to Soldiers and recruits contemplating participation in future competitions, he added:​

“Participating in the Best Warrior Competition offers more than personal achievement; it’s an opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences, and contribute to the collective esprit de corps that defines our organization. Embrace the challenge, and you’ll find yourself part of a supportive community dedicated to excellence.”​

The Maryland Army National Guard’s Best Warrior Competition not only highlights the exceptional talents of its Soldiers but also reinforces the organization’s commitment to maintaining a force that is physically fit, mentally resilient, and ready to serve.

For more information on the Maryland Army National Guard and future events, please visit https://military.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx.

Media Resources:

High-resolution images and videos from the competition are available for media use through the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS):​ DVIDS Feature Page: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/MDBWC2025

 

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