Eleven South Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers from across the state competed in the Best Warrior Competition at West Camp Rapid this month.
Some events included in the three-day competition were the army combat fitness test, weapons qualification, an obstacle course, night land navigation and a six-mile ruck march.
“The Best Warrior Competition brings together competitors from across the South Dakota Army National Guard company and battalion formations to showcase their warrior acumen," said State Command Sgt. Maj. Marcus Stacey, South Dakota National Guard’s Senior Enlisted Leader. "The competition is a comprehensive evaluation of our best warrior's warfighting skill sets."
Once scores were tallied, Spc. Bryson Darveau, with the HHC 109th Engineer Battalion, earned the 2024 Soldier of the Year title.
Sgt. Jacob Reitzel, with the 935th Aviation Support Battalion, earned Non-commissioned Officer of the Year.
The winners move on to represent the state’s Army National Guard in Washington state next spring.