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Army Guard Puts Its Best to the Test

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Fourteen soldiers shot, swam, sprinted, climbed, crawled and otherwise negotiated their way through a slew of challenges over several days in the heat of a Tennessee July for a chance at glory in the 2022 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition. 

A soldier ties black cord into a knot outdoors.
Knot Know-How
U.S. Army Sgt. Spencer Fayles, a combat medic assigned to the Utah National Guard’s 144th Area Support Medical Company, learns how to tie a bowline knot during the Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition in Milan, Tenn., July 26, 2022.
Credit: Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jordan Hack
VIRIN: 220726-Z-PL204-1016
Soldiers in camouflage uniforms holding rifles jump into a pool.
Survival Swim
Soldiers competing in the Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition jump into a pool during a survival swim event at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., July 25, 2022.
Credit: Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jordan Hack
VIRIN: 220725-Z-PL204-1016
A soldier hangs from monkey bars outside.
Raising the Bar
Army Spc. Nathaniel Miska completes an obstacle during the 2022 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition in Milan, Tenn., July 26, 2022.
Credit: Minnesota National Guard Staff Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh
VIRIN: 220726-Z-DY230-1292

The competitors had already claimed victory in state and regional contests. Now, they were vying to win the titles of Army National Guard Soldier of the Year or Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. 

The competition tested both the soldiers' individual and teamwork abilities, and contained more than 30 graded events, including fitness challenges, marksmanship drills, a high-value target extraction scenario, combat casualty care, water survival and a ruck march. 

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Credit: {{photographer}}
VIRIN: {{virin}}
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The two who emerged as the Army National Guard's best-of-the-best — Sgt. Tyler Holloway of Wyoming as Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Sgt. Spencer Fayles of Utah as Soldier of the Year (he was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant) — will compete in the All-Army Best Warrior Competition later this year. 

Graphic illustration that includes text and a soldier's photo.
Wyoming Army National Guard Sgt. Tyler Holloway
Wyoming Army National Guard Sgt. Tyler Holloway, a fire support specialist assigned to the 115th Field Artillery Brigade.
Credit: Photo Illustration by Tennessee National Guard Joint Public Affairs
VIRIN: 220722-A-LP767-707S
A graphic illustration with text and a soldier's photo.
Army Sgt. Spencer Fayles
Army Sgt. Spencer Fayles, a combat medic assigned to the 144th Area Support Medical Company.
Credit: Photo Illustration by Tennessee National Guard Joint Public Affairs
VIRIN: 220720-A-LP767-573

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