Regional Best Warrior Competition Kicks Off with International Field on Challenging New Mexico Terrain

RATON, N.M. — Soldiers from across the United States and international partner nations launched the Regional Best Warrior Competition (BWC) this week, beginning with a rigorous Day Zero that tested foundational skills and set the tone for the demanding days ahead.

Competitors representing Tonga, Fiji, Kazakhstan, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, California, Hawaii, Utah and Guam arrived at Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) in Santa Fe, where they conducted gear layouts, equipment inspections and completed a land navigation map test.

Following initial in-processing, Soldiers traveled to Whittington Range near Raton, New Mexico, where they conducted zeroing exercises on their assigned M4 rifles at high elevation, ensuring weapons were properly calibrated ahead of live-fire events.

Day 1 of the competition began in the early morning hours, with a 3:30 a.m. start that immediately challenged competitors both physically and mentally.

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Soldiers navigated a non–self-correcting land navigation course through the mountainous terrain near Raton, testing their ability to move with precision under pressure and limited feedback.

The competition intensified with a three-gun challenge, where participants engaged targets using pistol, shotgun and rifle platforms while simultaneously treating a simulated casualty.

The event evaluated marksmanship, medical proficiency and decision-making under stress.

Competitors then transitioned to a mounted gunnery lane, where they demonstrated their understanding and application of machine gun theory and marksmanship from a vehicle-based platform.

“The Best Warrior Competition is designed to push Soldiers beyond their limits and showcase the very best of what our force has to offer,” said NMNG State Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Poccia. “From technical proficiency to mental toughness, these events highlight the lethality, adaptability and resilience required on today’s battlefield.”

The Regional BWC continues throughout the week, with additional events designed to identify the most capable and well-rounded Soldiers and Noncommissioned Officers to advance to higher levels of competition.