Best Warrior

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BALTIMORE – Fourteen competitors from throughout the Army National Guard are slated to battle it out in a physically and mentally challenging five-day competition to determine the Army Guard’s Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the year July 14-18 in locations throughout Maryland.

Hosted by the Maryland Army National Guard the 2025 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition tests competitors on a variety of tactical and technical tasks including weapons proficiency, land navigation, emergency medical tasks, and combat casualty care. These tasks are completed over a grueling set of courses throughout the state that includes multiple timed ruck marches and the Army Combat Fitness Test.

Winners in the competition – one Soldier and one NCO – are named the Army Guard’s Soldier and NCO of the Year and will compete in the Department of the Army Best Squad Competition this fall. Runners-up in the Best Warrior Competition fill out the Army Guard squad competing in the Best Squad Competition based on their finish in Best Warrior.

Competitors in this year’s Army Guard Best Warrior Competition include:

Soldier Category
Spc. Adam Andrews - Rhode Island
Spc. Robert Ruiz-Rhoades – Pennsylvania
Spc. Jaden Hughes - Alabama
Spc. Logan Rutledge – Indiana
Spc. Alexander Thomson – Nebraska
Spc. Canyon Blassingame - Montana
Sgt. Michael Fouts – Arizona

NCO Category
Sgt. Kristopher Piwowarczyk - New Jersey
Staff Sgt. Miles Crawford – Maryland
Staff Sgt. Nicolas White – Georgia
Staff Sgt. Brandon Byrne - Wisconsin
Sgt. Luke Entz – Nebraska
Sgt. Matthew Lee – Montana
Sgt. Luke Cloward - Utah

Video Gallery

Video by John Berezich

Command Sgt. Maj. Amelia Patterson’s Retirement Ceremony

Joint Force Headquarters - Washington National Guard

Feb. 21, 2026 | 52:02

The Washington Army National Guard conducted a retirement ceremony for Command Sgt. Maj. Amelia Patterson on Feb. 21, 2026 at Camp Murray, WA. The ceremony was an opportunity to honor Command Sgt. Maj. Patterson’s dedication and service to the state and nation for the past 24 years. The presiding official for the ceremony was Brig. Gen. Michael Ake, Land Component Commander and the Director of the Joint Staff for the Washington National Guard. Command Sgt. Maj. Patterson was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious service spanning over 24 years of service, culminating as the Land Component Command Sergeant Major for the Washington Army National Guard. This position is one of the most critical leadership roles within the Washington Army National Guard. Enlisted members who attain this distinction are the epitome of success and profession of arms, serving as the senior most enlisted leader for the land component forces. The national anthem was sung by Staff Sgt. Vincent Naylor and the Army song was performed by the 133d Washington Army National Guard Band. The invocation was given by Col. Angela Gentry.