The New Jersey National Guard holds its Best Warrior competition every April. All major subordinate commands (44th IBCT, 42nd RSG, 57th Troop Command, 254th RTI, Ops Group and RRB) send two competitors, one NCO and one junior enlisted, to compete to represent New Jersey at the regional competition. The winner of the regional competition goes on to compete in the nationwide National Guard competition. The top five competitors of this competition form a squad to represent the National Guard against active duty and reserve component squads in an Army-wide Best Squad/Warrior Competition (https://www.army.mil/bestsquad/index.html). Being a competitor is a great experience. Candidates are tested on physical fitness, marksmanship, land navigation and competencies in basic soldier tasks. The culminating event is a 12-mile ruck march with a 35 pound pack. Past awardees have received Army commendation or Achievement Medals along with coins and choice of specialty schools.
New Jersey’s Best Warriors
- 2024 – SGT Hollenkamp and SPC Schweyer
- 2023 – SFC Catalioti and SPC Grieco