Story by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton
Day one of the 2026 Best Warrior Comes to an end as the last competitor crosses the finish line of the day night land nav.
The day started before the sun came up with competitors reporting to the Camp Edwards gym on Joint Base Cape Cod, Massachusetts. After signing in, they were given some encouraging words from Massachusetts National Guard State Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Peter Pouliot and Massachusetts Army National Guard Senior Listed Advisor Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Ready.
Competitors then took to the PT field for a new test. The Expert Physical Fitness Assessment is a newer fitness test designed to push Soldiers to their limits. Consisting of a one mile run, deadstop push ups, a 100M sprint, sandbag load, water jug farmers carry, highcrawl and 3-5 second rushes, followed by another mile run. Competitors did all this in their duty uniform with a vest and ballistic plates, all in less than 30 minutes.
From there, competitors were splint into two groups, junior enlisted and Non-Commissioned officers for two separate ranges.
Junior enlisted went to complete a standard M4 qualification and NCOs went to the stress shoot.
During the stress shoot, competitors completed one minute of burpees then dragged a skid carrying a dummy to four sections of cover where they had to engage targets at from each point of cover with the M4 and M17 pistol.
After completing each range the groups switched.
Immediately after the last rounds were fired, competitors loaded on to busses and headed to the Day to Night land navigation course.
Competitors were tasked with finding grid coordinates that spanned multiple land navigation lanes, all while the sun was setting.
As day one comes to an end, Soldiers will get some much needed rest before taking on the tasks of day two.
It started with warrior lanes, where competitors completed four separate tasks: a grenade lane, a call for fire, a medical lane, and a mystery event. This year’s mystery event was an assembly and function check of an M4, M17 pistol, and a 249B squad automatic weapon.
From there, competitors changed into their dress uniforms and headed to the 101st Regional Training Institute for a written exam and boards.
After the boards were complete, State Command Sergeant Major Peter Pouliot hosted a social for competitors, senior NCOs, and competition staff.
Tomorrow starts before the sun comes up with the final event, the 12-mile ruck.
The Massachusetts National Guard 2026 Best Warrior Competition has come to a close.
The day started at 5 a.m. when soldiers, airmen, and Irish Defence Forces soldiers arrived at the starting location for the 12 mile ruck. After weighing their bags and getting their instructions, competitors took off on the six mile out six mile back course.
It took just over two hours for the first competitors to start finishing the ruck
After all, competitors finish the ruck. There was only one more thing on the schedule… finding out who the Massachusetts National Guard’s best Soldier and NCO
Coming out on top was Pfc. Juan Sanchez from D Company, 1st Battalion 181st Infantry Regiment, for the soldiers and for the NCOs was Sgt. Andrew Hopkins from B Battery, 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment.
Sanchez and Hopkins will go on to compete in the Regional Best Warrior vying for a spot at the National Best Warrior later this year.
