As previously reported, the Georgia State Defense Force made history by being invited to compete in the 2025 Georgia Army National Guard Best Warrior Challenge, marking the first time a State Defense Force has participated in such an elite competition. Held from March 9 to 14, this event not only showcased the skills of Georgia Army National Guard and Georgia State Defense Force soldiers but also featured participants from the Georgian Defence Forces. Earlier in the week, we highlighted the rigorous challenges faced by these soldiers in the opening days of the competition, including physical fitness assessments, written exams, land navigation, combat drills, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) events, weapons training, and map reading.
Day 3 of the competition brought a sharp focus on one of the most critical warfighting skills—marksmanship. Soldiers were put through an intense series of marksmanship trials designed to test not only their technical ability but also their composure under pressure. The day began with a range brief before competitors zeroed their weapons, ensuring precision before moving to the M17 range for pistol qualification. From there, they transitioned to the M4 rifle range, undergoing both standard and ALT-B qualification courses, where they engaged targets up to 500 meters away from multiple firing positions. The highlight of the day was a grueling 3-gun event stress shoot, where soldiers had to fire the M4, shotgun, and M17 pistol while managing elevated heart rates and fatigue. The ability to remain calm, accurate, and lethal under these conditions tested the competitors’ endurance and discipline, further proving why they are among the best in their respective forces.
As Day 4 of the competition came to a close, the competitors faced even more challenging tasks designed to assess their overall combat readiness. They began with the Army Combat Fitness Test at the Cumming Readiness Center, where competitors demonstrated their physical strength, endurance, and resilience through a series of rigorous exercises. This was followed by the Combat Water Survival Training event at the Cumming Aquatic Center, where soldiers navigated various aquatic challenges, reinforcing their ability to operate effectively in waterborne environments. These trials not only tested the physical fitness of the competitors but also their ability to remain calm and controlled in high-stress situations.
At the Catoosa Volunteer Training Site, soldiers tackled some of the most grueling obstacles of the competition. The day’s events included night and day land navigation, where competitors were required to navigate terrain under low-visibility conditions, demonstrating their ability to move, think, and fight effectively in the field. The obstacle course pushed participants to their physical limits, testing agility, strength, and endurance. The urban assault scenario further challenged the competitors’ tactical skills, requiring them to clear rooms, engage enemy targets, and conduct casualty care and extraction under pressure. Additionally, soldiers completed a cave complex event, which simulated confined-space combat and rescue operations, forcing them to adapt and dominate in any environment.
Another significant test was the weapons round robin, where soldiers disassembled and reassembled various weapon systems, proving their technical proficiency with different firearms. These exercises reinforced their ability to function under stress while maintaining their effectiveness on the battlefield.
With only one day remaining in the competition, the elite soldiers competing for the title of Best Warrior have demonstrated unparalleled resilience, discipline, and determination. The Georgia State Defense Force’s continued performance in this historic event stands as a testament to their readiness and commitment to excellence. As the competition nears its conclusion, all eyes remain on the final grueling challenges ahead, where the best of the best will be pushed to their absolute limits.
Day 3 of the State Best Warrior Competition is complete!
Today was all about one of our primary warfighting functions—marksmanship. As Soldiers, our ability to effectively engage and neutralize threats is fundamental to mission success. Marksmanship is more than just hitting a target; it embodies discipline, focus, and the warrior mindset. Soldiers should not only be proficient with their weapon but also have the ability to apply precision under pressure, adapt to changing conditions, and perform when it matters most.
The day started early with a range brief, setting the stage for a full day of marksmanship. Competitors began by zeroing their weapons before moving to the M17 range for pistol qualification. From there, they transitioned to the M4 range, proving their rifle proficiency through the standard qualification and an ALT-B qualification, where competitors engaged targets up to 500 meters away from multiple firing positions, pushing their marksmanship skills even further.
To close out the day, competitors faced a 3-gun event stress shoot. With heart rates elevated and fatigue setting in, they fired the M4, shotgun, and M17, demonstrating their ability to remain calm, accurate, and lethal under pressure.
Marksmanship isn’t just a skill—it’s a defining trait of a warrior. Today, these competitors proved why they are among the best. The competition is close, and these competitors are a day closer to earning the title of Soldier/NCO of the Year!
Day 4 of the State Best Warrior Competition has come to a close!
The competitors hit the ground running, starting at 0400 with night into day land navigation, testing their ability to move, think, and fight in low-visibility conditions. From there, they tackled a grueling obstacle course, pushing their strength and resilience to the limit.
Next, they transitioned to the hand grenade course, where they had to engage targets in multiple combat scenarios, reinforcing the fundamentals of lethality and precision. The intensity increased as they moved into an urban assault scenario, clearing rooms, engaging enemy targets in close combat, and executing casualty care and extraction under pressure.
As the challenges continued, the soldiers entered a cave for another demanding extraction, proving their ability to adapt and dominate in any environment. The day wrapped up with a weapons round-robin, where competitors disassembled and reassembled various weapon systems.
Tomorrow marks the final day of competition, where the best of the best will be pushed to their absolute limits. Stay tuned!
Day 4 of the Georgia National Guard Best Warrior Competition included the obstacle course, night and day land navigation, cave complex/urban assault, and weapons round robin.
SPC Brown, SSG Casteel, and SPC Naturman maneuver the obstacle course.
This is the first year that the GSDF has competed in the Best Warrior Competition.
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.
Sources: Georgia State Defense Force 1st Battalion – State Command Sergeant Major, Georgia – DVIDS 1 – DVIDS 2 – DVIDS 3 – DVIDS 4 – DVIDS 5 – DVIDS 6 – The National Guard
