The Spirit of Grit and Glory

The 2025 Region VII Best Warrior Competition, held at Camp Navajo, Ariz., May 12 - 16, 2025, showcased the skills and resilience of Guardsmen as they competed in a series of challenging events designed to test their physical and mental fortitude. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Sgt. Chau Le)

by Sgt. Chau Le
California Army National Guard Public Affairs

May 16, 2025

CAMP NAVAJO, Ariz.— The air at Camp Navajo, Arizona, is crisp and invigorating, infused with the scent of adventure. Nestled at over 7,000 feet and spanning 28,000 acres of high desert, relentless winds howl through rugged canyons, testing every competitor’s mettle. This stunning landscape hosts the Region VII Best Warrior Competition from May 12-16, 2025. Think of it as the Olympics of Soldiering - minus the medals and with way more mud. This annual showdown is where the National Guard’s finest get to flex their skills, test their limits, and forge bonds stronger than their rucksacks.

U.S. Army Sgt. Jose Garcia, Garrison Training Center Battalion, and Spc. Dzianis Yafremenka, 224th Sustainment Brigade, represented the California Army National Guard. These two warriors didn’t just show up - they showed out, embodying the Army's values with every grueling challenge.

The BWC isn’t just about who can do the most push-ups or navigate a course without getting hopelessly lost (although those help). It’s about identifying Soldiers and noncommissioned officers who personify the Army’s ethos of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. In short, it’s about finding Soldiers who can do it all -- and then some.

“The Best Warrior Competition is not just about winning; it’s about pushing yourself beyond your limits and demonstrating what it means to be a Soldier,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Wayts, G3 Sergeant Major, Arizona Army National Guard.

The vibe at Camp Navajo was electric - part boot camp, part family reunion, with a healthy dash of competitive fire. Over five days, Soldiers tackled events that would make even the fittest civilian wave a white flag. Physical fitness tests? Check. Marksmanship? Check. Land navigation? Double check. Throw in warrior tasks that demand quick thinking under pressure, and there is a recipe for pure adrenaline-fueled chaos.

For Garcia, the competition was more than just a test of endurance -- it was an honor.

The first day of events, May 13, 2025, began with a tactical athlete assessment testing their physical readiness, followed by a combination test of strength, mobility, and endurance designed to challenge their overall fitness and performance capabilities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Chau Le)

U.S. Army Sgt. Jose Garcia transports a simulated casualty to cover during the Region VII Best Warrior Competition 2025 at Camp Navajo, Arizona, May 14, 2025. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Chau Le)

U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Fouts, infantryman, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 158th Infantry Regiment, conducts arm-over-arm pulls in the strength, mobility and endurance event during the competition at Camp Navajo, Ariz., May 13, 2025. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Chau Le)

“It’s a chance to represent my state and my unit," Garcia said. "The challenges we face here are tough, but they push us to be better Soldiers. I’m proud to stand alongside my fellow competitors and learn from them.”

No warrior walks this path alone. Behind every competitor is a sponsor—a mentor who is part coach, part cheerleader, and part therapist. For Garcia, that role was filled by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Morales, assigned to Task Force Rattlesnake, while Sgt. Isaias Maganda, assigned to Garrison Training Center Battalion, fulfilled the same vital role for Yafremenka. The two sponsors weren’t just there to hand out pep talks; they were there to make sure Garcia and Yafremenka were ready to crush it.

“Being a sponsor for Sgt. Garcia is a privilege,” Morales said. “I’ve seen his dedication and hard work leading up to this event. It’s rewarding to help him prepare and watch him grow as a soldier.”

The Region VII Best Warrior Competition unfolded over five grueling days, showcasing the grit and resilience of the Soldiers involved. It began with orientation and physical assessments, paving the way for the challenges ahead. Day two featured an extreme obstacle course that tested both physical endurance and mental agility, where competitors cheered each other on as they maneuvered walls and muddy trenches.

“Even when the going gets tough, we lift each other up,” said Maganda, emphasizing the camaraderie that thrived despite the challenges.

On the third day, competitors faced marksmanship and combat skills training.

“Every shot counts,” Morales explained, highlighting the pressure of precision.

Day four involved land navigation and survival skills, requiring Soldiers to rely on maps and compasses. The competition culminated in a comprehensive evaluation, celebrating top performers and the bonds forged through adversity, demonstrating that true strength lies in both individual resolve and teamwork.

Despite the sweat, bruises, and occasional faceplants, competitors kept their spirits high. They cheered each other on over walls and through muddy trenches, proving that even in the heat of competition, teamwork reigns supreme. The unwavering spirit of the competitors is what made the competition worthwhile.

U.S. Army Sgt. Isaias Maganda, infantryman, Garrison Training Center Battalion, California Army National Guard, cheers up his mentees during the Expert Soldier Badge event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Chau Le)

U.S. Army Spc. Dzianis Yafremenka, financial management technician, 224th Sustainment Brigade, California Army National Guard, prepares a grenade machine gun for fire in the Expert Soldier Badge event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Chau Le)

U.S. Army Spc. Vu Nguyen, cavalry scout, 299th Cavalry Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Hawaii Army National Guard, conducts a spot report during the Expert Soldier Badge event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Chau Le)

U.S. Army Guardsmen pose for a group photo during the award ceremony of Region VII Best Warrior Competition at Camp Navajo, Arizona, May 16, 2025. Guardsmen from Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah competed fiercely in a series of demanding physical and mental challenges to crown the Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for Region VII. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Chau Le)

U.S. Army Guardsmen pose for a group photo during the Award Ceremony of Region VII Best Warrior Competition at Camp Navajo, Arizona, May 16, 2025. Guardsmen from Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah competed fiercely in a series of demanding physical and mental challenges to crown the Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for Region VII. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Chau Le)

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