The Georgia State Defense Force has made history as the first State Defense Force to ever participate in an Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition. A few weeks ago, we highlighted this unprecedented moment, and now, as the competition reaches its third day, the Georgia State Defense Force continues to make its mark. The 2025 Georgia Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition, which began on March 9 at the Cumming Readiness Center, has brought together 15 elite competitors from the Georgia Army National Guard, Soldiers from The Country of Georgia, and for the first time, the Georgia State Defense Force. Taking place across multiple locations, including the Cumming Readiness Center and the Catoosa Volunteer Training Site in Ringgold, Georgia, the competition tests participants on physical endurance, tactical proficiency, and mental fortitude.
The Georgia State Defense Force has entered two teams from its 1st Battalion to compete. This week, their soldiers have joined the rigorous events, proving their skills and resilience alongside their Army National Guard and international counterparts. The competition includes a broad range of warrior tasks such as physical fitness assessments, written exams, land navigation, and combat drills. On Monday, Day 2 of the competition, events included a PT challenge, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) event, weapons training, and map reading. As the competition advanced into Tuesday, competitors were transported via helicopter to firing ranges for shooting events, further testing their marksmanship and battlefield proficiency. Among those representing the GSDF are Staff Sgt. Casteel, Staff Sgt. Nowak, Specialist Brown, and Specialist Naturman, who have been demonstrating their skills and determination. Specialist Steven Naturman was notably captured in a photograph following the gas chamber test event, a challenging exercise designed to simulate exposure to hazardous environments in a CBRN scenario.
The competition’s emphasis on readiness, adaptability, and warrior ethos is evident through each event, pushing participants to their limits. As the event continues, competitors face additional trials, including the Army Combat Fitness Test, a weapons round robin, urban assault exercises, essay writing, nine-line MEDEVAC procedures, a combat water survival test, land navigation, and a final interview board. The competition is not only a test of individual skill but also a reflection of the cooperation and interoperability between military forces. This year is particularly significant, as it marks the 30th anniversary of the Georgia National Guard’s state partnership with the country of Georgia, a relationship that continues to strengthen through events like these.
The significance of this competition extends beyond the physical and tactical challenges. It is an opportunity to showcase the best warriors, identify top performers, and recognize those who will represent Georgia in the 2025 Region III Best Warrior Competition, hosted by the South Carolina National Guard in April. U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Ballenger, senior enlisted leader of the Georgia Army National Guard, emphasized the importance of communication and collaboration, stating that this competition sets the national gold standard. The sentiment was echoed by Staff Sergeant Nathan Nowak of the GSDF, who expressed pride in participating and overcoming the challenges that brought his team to this moment. As Day 3 of the competition concludes, the Georgia State Defense Force continues to prove its readiness and effectiveness, standing alongside its Army National Guard and international partners in this elite test of skill and endurance.
*UPDATE. 3.12.25 Per request from Georgia State Defense Force PAO 1st Battalion photo was removed.
For the first time, the Georgia State Defense Force enters teams into the Georgia Army National Guard’s Best Warrior Competition!
Competitors from the Georgia Army National Guard, the Georgia State Defense Force, and the Georgian Defence Forces listen to a briefing for the 2025 Georgia Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition, Cumming Readiness Center, Cumming, Ga., March 9, 2025.
The Georgia State Defense Force is a component of the Georgia Department of Defense, along with the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard.
This competition includes physical fitness assessments, written exams, and other warrior tasks and battle drills. Hooah, Warriors!
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Alexandria Amos)
Day 2 (Monday) of the Best Georgia National Guard Best Warrior Competition is complete. The day started with a PT event and included a CBRN event, weapons training, and map reading. Today (Tuesday) started with helicopter transport to firing ranges for shooting events. 1st Battalion GFAB North soldiers SSG Casteel, SSG Nowak, SPC Brown, and SPC Naturman are performing well.
2nd Picture shown is SPC Steven Naturman AFTER the “gas chamber test” event, meant to simulate a CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives) event.
The GSDF is Georgia’s state guard.GSDF is a component of the Georgia Department of Defense, along with the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard.
Day 2 of the GAARNG State Best Warrior Competition is complete. The day started with a PT event and included a CBRN event, weapons training, and map reading. SGT Jarrard has been performing exceptionally well and will move on to the shooting events today. Wish him luck as he continues to compete, representing the Slayer Battalion and the 48th IBCT!
Competitors Battle for Victory as the 2025 Georgia Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition Kicks Off
CUMMING, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES
03.09.2025
Story by Sgt. Allison Gilstrap
124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
CUMMING READINESS CENTER, Ga. — The 2025 Georgia Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition began March 9 at the Cumming Readiness Center in Cumming, Georgia.The 15 competitors representing the Georgia Army National Guard, the country of Georgia and the Georgia State Defense Force are competing this year at Cumming Readiness Center, Cumming, Georgia and the Catoosa Volunteer Training Site, Ringgold, Georgia. This marks the first time the Georgia State Defense Force has competed.
“I’ve been in the State Defense Force for eight years,” said Staff Sgt. Nathan Nowak, an opposing force (OPFOR) Training noncommissioned officer with the Georgia State Defense Force. “It’s very exciting to participate in the competition and overcome the challenges that have led us to this point.”
The competition encourages interoperability and effectively displays both the lethality and readiness of its competitors. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Georgia National Guard’s state partnership with the country of Georgia, and the second year that the Georgian Defence Forces have participated in the competition.
“Our partnerships lead us to being successful, not only as individuals but also as an organization,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Ballenger, the senior enlisted leader of the Georgia Army National Guard. “Communication is key. Our competition is the gold standard in the nation.”
Events in this year’s competition include the Army Combat Fitness Test, weapons round robin, in-person interview, urban assault event, essay writing, nine-line MEDEVAC, combat water survival test, land navigation and an interview board.
“This competition is a perfect example of setting the standard,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Charles Jarrard, an infantryman representing the Macon-based 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard. “[Winning the competition] all comes down to if you really want it or not.”
The 2025 Georgia Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition identifies, recognizes, and commemorates its best Soldiers. Each Soldier’s individual and military skills will be assessed to determine who will represent Georgia in the 2025 Region III Best Warrior Competition hosted by the South Carolina National Guard in April.
Sources: Georgia State Defense Force – Georgia State Defense Force 1st Battalion – Georgia Army National Guard 1st Battalion 121st Infantry – DVIDS
