2025 State Best Warrior Competition

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. - Twenty-one North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers from across the state and three Ghanaian Armed Forces Soldiers pushed their physical and mental boundaries during the annual Best Warrior Competition, held at the Camp Grafton Training Center from Aug. 15-18.
“This is my favorite time of the year,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, state command sergeant major. “The Best Warrior Competition is a three-and-a-half-day event that challenges Soldier and Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) competitors both physically and mentally in a multitude of warrior skill tasks. It also builds confidence and breeds professionalism throughout our ranks.”
The competition began with a rigorous physical fitness test, including push-ups, running, and swimming, followed by knowledge boards, uniform inspections, and mock public affairs interviews. The second day started with night land navigation, transitioning into daytime land navigation with weapons range drills. On day three, competitors battled warrior tasks and a 6-mile ruck march. A physically demanding confidence course and a towering rappel challenge rounded out the competition.
“I really like the camaraderie among the Soldiers,” said Sgt. Richard Tangen, 957th Multi-Role Bridging Company. “These guys I compete with-we have no idea who each other are, but by the end of the competition, we all grow closer, and it just builds a stronger bond within the North Dakota Army National Guard.”
Competitors spent months preparing for the event, rigorously studying military regulations, warrior tasks and drills, along with undergoing intense physical training in anticipation.
Sgt. Joseph Kane, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, won the NCO category, and Spc. Jonathan Nistler, Delta Detachment, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, won the enlisted category. The runners-up were Sgt. Max Dahl, Delta Detachment, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and Spc. Edward Snyder, 957th Engineer Company.
The winners will continue to refine their skills as they prepare to compete in the Region VI competition next year in Boise, Idaho. If the winners are unable to attend, the runners-up may have the opportunity to compete.