Best Warrior

Last updated
Best Warrior
2010 Best Warrior Logo.png
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s) Fort Lee
Years active21
Website www.army.mil/bestwarrior/

Best Warrior is an annual competition overseen by the Department of the Army as a means of identifying and recognizing soldiers in active, Special Operations, National Guard and reserve components of the United States Army. Each year, each participating command sends their best enlisted soldier and non-commissioned officer to Fort Lee to represent their unit.

Contents

During the competition, competitors are tested for their aptitude through board interviews, physical fitness tests, written exams, urban warfare simulations and other soldier tasks and drills relevant to the Army's operating environment.

In addition, Warriors will go before two selection boards composed of six senior sergeants major from across the Army. These boards, chaired by Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, evaluate competitor appearance, military bearing and knowledge of critical Army topics.

The Soldier and Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year receive prestigious honors and cash awards in recognition of their achievements and represent the Army at special events throughout the year.

Competition winners

Department of the Army Soldier and NCO of the Year for 2003 Spc. Russell Adam Burnham and SSG James Luby on Fox and Friends USArmyBestWarriorWinners2003.jpg
Department of the Army Soldier and NCO of the Year for 2003 Spc. Russell Adam Burnham and SSG James Luby on Fox and Friends

Soldier of the Year

Pistol event at the 2014 competition 2013 Army Best Warrior Competition 131120-A-SE706-074.jpg
Pistol event at the 2014 competition

Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year

Competitor in 2012 pulling a mock casualty to safety Best Warrior Competition 2012 121017-A-DG163-002.jpg
Competitor in 2012 pulling a mock casualty to safety

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 "Past Winners - The U.S. Army Best Warrior Competition". U.S. Army. 2015. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  2. Preston, Kenneth O. (2003). "Sgt Major, US Army". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 2006-04-19. Retrieved 2006-04-22.
  3. Strasser, Mike (2008). "Best Warrior Competitor Continues Family Tradition of Military Excellence". U.S. Army. Retrieved 2015-06-09.