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

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Video by Spc. Adrianna Douglas

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Protecting the U.S. Southern Border with Aerial Monitoring and Training

Department of War Southern Border

April 16, 2026 | 3:23

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nicolas Cole, a flight engineer with the 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, Joint Task Force-Southern Border, discusses aerial monitoring missions at Libby Army Airfield, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., April 16, 2026. Cole explains the operation’s process and challenges, highlighting the CH-47’s vital role in supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He also emphasizes how training sharpens skills for pilots and soldiers alike. U.S. Northern Command collaborates closely with the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection, operating within defined authorities to provide unique military capabilities that protect the U.S. southern border’s territorial integrity. (Dept. of War video by Spc. Adrianna Douglas)