JERICHO, Vermont – Army National Guard competitors from across the country competed in the 2024 National Best Warrior Competition (NBWC) August 4-9, 2024. The competition pits the best Soldiers against each other in challenging events designed to push Soldiers to their limits of physical fitness, mental intelligence and tactical proficiency during warrior tasks and combat exercises.
Hawaii’s own U.S. Army Spc. Andruw Nakamura, an infantryman with 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry Regiment (1-299 CAV), 29th Infantry Combat Brigade, Hawaii Army National Guard, took second place in the Soldier category. He was one of 14 soldiers from various states who participated in the NBWC.
“Representing Hawaii at the National Best Warrior Competition here in the state of Vermont is important because we are a small state in the middle of the Pacific and isolated from the rest of the country,” said Nakamura. “This gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our technical skills and tactical abilities that we train for every year while being ready to support Hawaii and the country.”
To earn the honor of competing at the national level, Nakamura had to first win company, battalion, brigade and regional competitions to secure his place in the national competition.
“It is important for our Soldiers to participate in this national Best Warrior Competition as it is an opportunity to showcase our skills and talent,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Roger Uganiza, command sergeant major of the 1-299 CAV. “It highlights our readiness, competency and training and demonstrates that our Soldiers can compete at the highest level.”
Soldiers in the Best Warrior competition competed in several events, including small arms and machine gun shooting practice, the Army Combat Fitness Test, marching runs over various distances, a written exam, a board exam, an introduction to historical weapons, and a biathlon.
“As National Guard Soldiers, they faced the unique challenge of taking time away from their careers, friends and family to train and hone their tactical skills to the same level as active duty Soldiers,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Palmer, garrison command sergeant major of the Vermont Army National Guard and noncommissioned officer of the competition. “Just by reaching this level, whether they win or not, these Soldiers have proven that they are among the best in our armed forces.”
The events are specifically designed to test the agility and adaptability of non-commissioned officers and young Army soldiers through challenging exams and assessments.
“The competition is challenging and every individual competitor will be tested, but overall he (Nakamura) has the skills, abilities and confidence to overcome any challenge he faces,” said Uganiza.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Caden Biddinger, a human resources specialist who represents the Utah National Guard and Region VII alongside Nakamura, shed light on the highs and lows of the competition.
“The camaraderie within the competition was great,” said Biddinger. “In this type of competitive environment, you get to know each other quickly, share the same experiences of going through the struggles and challenges of the events and bond over that experience.”
The National Guard Best Warrior Competition represents the best Soldier in the National Guard and exemplifies the level of training that underscores the National Guard’s readiness to answer the country’s call to action when necessary.
“Events like the Best Warrior Competition strengthen the National Guard by demonstrating that National Guard Soldiers are physically and mentally fit, trained, competent and ready for any type of deployment or national response,” said Uganiza. “He was able to represent the National Guard the way Nakamura did. He rocked it from the start, started strong and finished strong, and I’m very proud of him and the way he represented Hawaii’s Soldiers.”
Although he only finished second, his efforts and results had a positive side. Spc. Andruw Nakamura will form a National Guard squad in the U.S. Army’s Best Squad competition along with the following Soldiers:
– Noncommissioned Officer of the Year at the 2024 National Best Warrior Competition, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kirtley Finnell, a combat engineer representing the Alabama Army National Guard
– Soldier of the Year, US Army Sgt. Peter Fillion, an infantryman in the New York Army National Guard
– U.S. Army Sgt. Hunter Grundhurd, an indirect fire infantryman representing the Montana Army National Guard
– US Army Sgt. Trace Thompson, an infantryman in the Missouri Army National Guard
“I accomplished what I set out to do and gave 100 percent to every task. I left nothing undone and gave it my all,” Nakamura said. “In the future, we have the Best Squad competition, where our National Guard team competes against the entire active Army, and we want to win.”
