BEST WARRIOR COMPETITION

HELD ANNUALLY TO DETERMINE THE TOP RESERVE NCO AND SOLDIER

The best from the U.S. Army Reserve compete annually for the title of Best Warrior. Representing seven Geographic Commands and 22 Functional Commands, Soldiers spend a week competing in a variety of challenges including firing weapons, land navigation, the Army Combat Fitness Test, and various mystery events. These challenges will ultimately test their capabilities and combat-readiness.

The two winners of the Army Reserve’s Soldier and NCO of the Year go on to compete against winners from the major Army commands later in the year.

Many of the Warriors' military backgrounds and experience cover the entire spectrum of the Army Reserve, to include deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, or Kuwait.

Their career fields include military police, engineering, medical, human resources and intelligence. They hail from across the country and around the world.

Media should contact Lt. Col. Simon Flake, Chief, Media Relations - simon.b.flake.mil@mail.mil or 910-750-8337; Mr. John Bradley, Deputy Chief, Media Relations - john.b.bradley2.civ@mail.mil or 910-570-8313; or Lt. Col. Anthony John, Media Relations Officer - anthony.e.john.mil@mail.mil or 910-570-8335. Interviews can be made available via satellite and B-roll, images, stories, and other audio-visual products are available upon request.

BEST WARRIOR/BEST SQUAD 2021

Congratulations to the 2021 United States Army Reserve Best Warrior/ Best Squad Competition Winners!

Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Lombardo, Army Reserve command sergeant major, presented the following Soldiers with awards for their accomplishments:

NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt. Jonathan Chacon, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command
Soldier of the Year: Spc. Nicholas Kyne, 416th Theater Engineer Command
Best Squad: 416th Theater Engineer Command: Staff Sgt. Cutler Holland, Staff Sgt. Lucas Dawson, Spc. Nicholas Kyne, Spc. Hayse Jorgensen, Pfc. Drew Kafleskint.

2021 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition Winners

2021 Army Reserve Best Warrior Best Squad Winners

FEATURED VIDEOS

2021 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition Medical Lanes

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers perform casualty care under fire during the 2021 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior/Best Squad Competition at Fort McCoy, Wis., May, 20. Approximately 80 Soldiers from across the nation travelled to Fort McCoy to compete in the event that runs from May 19-28, 2021. The 2021 BWC is an annually-recurring competition that brings in the best Soldiers from across the U.S. Army Reserve to earn the title of “Best Warrior” or “Best Squad” among their peers. Competitors are evaluated on their individual ability to adapt and overcome to challenging scenarios and battle-focused events, which test their technical and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by SGT PHILIP RIBAS)

Soldiers Qualify on M17 for Excellence in Competition Badge

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers qualify on the M17 pistol for Excellence in Competition badge in the United States Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition on Fort McCoy, May 23, 2021. Approximately 80 Soldiers from across the nation travelled to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, to compete in the event that runs from May 19-28, 2021. The 2021 BWC is an annually-recurring competition that brings in the best Soldiers from across the U.S. Army Reserve to earn the title of “Best Warrior” or "Best Squad" among their peers. Competitors are evaluated on their individual ability to adapt and overcome challenging scenarios and battle-focused events, which test their technical and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue. (Video by Army Sgt. Jonathan Over)

Best Warriors Test Their Swimming Skills

U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Christa Hepler, the Range Safety Officer of the Water Safety Assessment, assigned to the 310th Multi Role Bridge Company, explains what the competitors need to demonstrate for the United States Army Reserve Best Warrior/Best Squad Competition on Fort McCoy, May 20, 2021. Approximately 80 Soldiers from across the nation traveled to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, to compete in the event that runs from May 19-28, 2021. The 2021 BWC is an annually-recurring competition that brings in the best Soldiers from across the U.S. Army Reserve to earn the title of “Best Warrior” or "Best Squad" among their peers. Competitors are evaluated on their individual ability to adapt and overcome to challenging scenarios and battle-focused events, which test their technical and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue. (Video by Army Sgt. Jonathan Over)

2021 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition Airport

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers, arriving at La Crosse Regional Airport during the 2021 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, May, 19. Approximately 80 Soldiers from across the nation traveled to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, to compete in the event that runs from May 19-27, 2021. The 2021 BWC is an annually-recurring competition that brings in the best Soldiers from across the U.S. Army Reserve to earn the title of “Best Warrior” among their peers. Competitors are evaluated on their individual ability to adapt and overcome to challenging scenarios and battle-focused events, which test their technical and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by SGT PHILIP RIBAS)

2021 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition Airport

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers, arriving at La Crosse Regional Airport during the 2021 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, May, 19. Approximately 80 Soldiers from across the nation travelled to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, to compete in the event that runs from May 19-27, 2021. The 2021 BWC is an annually-recurring competition that brings in the best Soldiers from across the U.S. Army Reserve to earn the title of “Best Warrior” among their peers. Competitors are evaluated on their individual ability to adapt and overcome to challenging scenarios and battle-focused events, which test their technical and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by SGT PHILIP RIBAS)

PHOTO GALLERY

BEST WARRIOR NEWS

Previous ARBWC Winners
2020
Staff Sgt. Benjamin Latham
NCO of the Year

Spc. Stanley Thompson
Soldier of the Year

2019
Sgt. Joshua Smith
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year

Spc. Collin George
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year

2018
Sgt. Chase Craig
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year

Spc. John Mundey
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year

2017
Cpl. Carlo Deldonno
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year

Spc. Kenny Ochoa
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year

2016
Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Moeller*
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year
*Dept. of the Army NCO of the Year

Spc. Michael Orozco
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year

2015
Staff. Sgt. Andrew Fink*
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year
*Dept. of the Army NCO of the Year

Spc. Bryce Parker
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year

2014
Staff Sgt. Landon Nordby
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year

Spc. Keegan Carlson
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year

2013
Sgt. 1st Class Jason Manella*
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year
*Dept. of the Army NCO of the Year

Spc. Mitchell Fromm
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year

2012
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Rios
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year

Spc. Michael Swan
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year

2011
Sgt. Christopher Coucho
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year

Spc. Ryan Barger
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year

2010
Sgt. David Ryder
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year

Spc. Joshua McDowell
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year

2009
Staff Sgt. Aaron Butler
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year

Spc. Shiloh Becher
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year

2008
Sgt. Francisco Gutierrez
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year

Spc. David Obray*
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year
*Dept. of the Army Soldier of the Year

2007
Sgt. Edward Chisholm
U.S. Army Reserve NCO of the Year

Spc. Brian Hancock
U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year

View FEATURE PROFILES of previous U.S. Army Reserve winners at the Dept. of the Army Best Warrior competition.

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