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 Kyler Hood

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U.S. Navy Physical Readiness Test Ensures Sailors are Mission-Ready

Commander Navy Region Hawaii

Dec. 23, 2025 | 0:54

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tristan Kyle Labuguen, the assistant command fitness leader for Navy Region Hawaii explains the importance of the Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT), which is conducted twice per year for all active-duty and reserve Sailors as well as recruits at boot camp. The PRT includes pushups, the forearm plank and a 1.5-mile timed run. The alternate cardio options to the 1.5-mile outdoor run/walk include the following: a timed 500-yard swim, a 12-minute stationary cycle or a 1.5-mile run/walk on a treadmill. PRT evaluates Sailors' upper body strength, core strength and cardiovascular endurance, ensuring that Sailors maintain peak physical capacity and are mission-ready. Commander, Navy Region Hawaii oversees the shore-based operations, quality of life programs, and environmental stewardship in support of the United States Navy's mission in the Pacific. (U.S. Navy video by Kyler Hood)