North Dakota National Guard

06/06/2026

The 2026 Region VI Best Warrior Competition brought together the National Guard's top Soldiers from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming for five days of intense competition at Camp Grafton Training Center, near Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Throughout the week, competitors demonstrated technical proficiency, physical endurance, leadership, and resilience as they tackled military boards, weapons qualifications, warrior tasks, land navigation, a 12-mile ruck march, obstacle courses, rappelling, combatives, and more.

Congratulations to Region VI Soldier of the Year Spc. Omar Rios, Idaho Army National Guard, and Region VI Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Staff Sgt. Richard Tangen, North Dakota Army National Guard. Congratulations as well to every competitor who represented their state and demonstrated excellence throughout the competition.

06/06/2026

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Region VI Best Warrior Competition!

Spc. Omar Rios, Idaho Army National Guard, earned top honors in the Soldier category. Staff Sgt. Richard Tangen, North Dakota Army National Guard, claimed the NCO category title.

Spc. Cole Bechtold, Montana Army National Guard, finished as the Soldier category runner-up, and Staff Sgt. Brock Mudge, Washington Army National Guard, finished as the NCO category runner-up.

After five days of intense competition testing military knowledge, technical proficiency, physical fitness, leadership, and warrior tasks, the top competitors earned their place among the region’s best. The winners will now advance to the National Guard Bureau Best Warrior Competition.

Congratulations to all competitors for their professionalism, resilience, and performance throughout the competition.

06/06/2026

The 2026 Region VI Best Warrior Competition brought together the National Guard's top Soldiers from eight states for five days of intense competition at Camp Grafton Training Center.

Throughout the week, competitors demonstrated technical proficiency, physical endurance, leadership, and resilience as they tackled military boards, weapons qualifications, warrior tasks, land navigation, a 12-mile ruck march, obstacle courses, rappelling, combatives, and more.

Watch the highlights from five days of competition as Region VI's best demonstrated the skills, determination, and professionalism that define the National Guard.

06/05/2026

Day 4 of the Region VI Best Warrior Competition pushed competitors to their physical and mental limits at Camp Grafton Training Center.

Soldiers began the day with a demanding 12-mile ruck march around Camp Grafton South, testing their endurance, resilience, and determination across challenging terrain. Competitors then faced a timed obstacle course that challenged their agility, strength, and ability to perform under pressure. The day concluded at the rappel tower, where Soldiers demonstrated confidence, courage, and technical proficiency while descending from height.

Each event tested the grit, discipline, and warrior spirit required of today's National Guard Soldiers as competitors continue their pursuit of the title of Region VI Best Warrior.

06/05/2026

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong and U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, cut the ribbon on a new climate-controlled fitness facility at Camp Grafton Training Center on June 5. This new facility ensures that Guard members staying at CGTC have access to a space for the Army fitness test and to the workout equipment that all Airmen and Soldiers need to stay physically fit.

06/04/2026

Day 3 of the Region VI Best Warrior Competition challenged competitors to apply critical battlefield skills under pressure at Camp Grafton Training Center.

Soldiers demonstrated combat casualty care and evacuation procedures, operated tactical communications equipment, and executed movement drills while applying camouflage, concealment, and cover techniques. They also completed chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense tasks and demonstrated heavy weapons proficiency through assembly, function checks, and handling in high-stress conditions. Competitors additionally tackled the Leadership Reaction Course, where teams applied communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills under pressure.

As the competition enters its final stages, competitors continue to demonstrate the adaptability, technical expertise, and resilience required of today's National Guard Soldiers.

06/03/2026

Day 2 of the Region VI Best Warrior Competition tested Soldiers' navigation, marksmanship, and tactical proficiency at Camp Grafton Training Center.

Competitors traversed challenging terrain during day and night land navigation, honed their marksmanship during M4 and M17 qualification events, and demonstrated technical and tactical proficiency on the M320 movement range and during the Claymore emplacement and firing events. They also showcased their weapons mastery under pressure during the three-gun shoot and the M249/M240B stress shoots.

Each event brought competitors one step closer to earning the title of Region VI Best Warrior as the competition moves into its next phase.

06/02/2026

Day 1 of the Region VI Best Warrior Competition challenged competitors both mentally and physically at Camp Grafton Training Center.

Soldiers tested their military knowledge through boards and written exams, demonstrated technical proficiency during weapons testing, Claymore emplacement and recovery, and Call for Fire events, and pushed themselves to their limits during physical fitness and water survival challenges.

The competition continues as these warriors strive for the title of Region VI Best Warrior.

06/01/2026

The competition is on!

National Guard Soldiers from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming have arrived at Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake, North Dakota, to battle for the title of Region VI Best Warrior this week.

Best of luck to all competitors!

05/26/2026

View the latest edition of the TAG Line!

See the photo gallery from Memorial Day, military police training on new equipment, aviation water bucket training, award presentations, State Partnership Program engagements, and more!

See the story