Georgia SDF Soldier Earns Prestigious Chad Mercer Award in State Best Warrior Challenge

The Georgia State Defense Force has once again demonstrated its growing role within the Georgia Department of Defense, recently being invited to participate in the Georgia National Guard Best Warrior Challenge for another consecutive year. As previously reported, this invitation underscores the continued trust and confidence placed in the Georgia State Defense Force by The Georgia National Guard. The Best Warrior Challenge is widely regarded as one of the most demanding training and assessment events conducted by the Georgia Department of Defense, designed to evaluate not only physical endurance but also tactical competence, leadership, and mental resilience. Participation by Georgia State Defense Force troops highlights the increasingly integrated nature of training across Georgia’s military formations and reflects the force’s expanding operational relevance and capability.

The competition itself is a grueling test of soldier skills conducted over several days under intense physical and mental strain. Competitors are subjected to physically exhausting ruck marches, weapons proficiency evaluations, land navigation, written examinations, and a range of warrior tasks and battle drills intended to simulate real world operational stress. These events are structured to push participants to their absolute limits, demanding discipline, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to mission success. Such challenges serve as a benchmark for readiness across the Georgia Department of Defense, reinforcing the importance of continuous training and professional development among all participating organizations.

At the command level competition hosted in February 2026, four Georgia Army National Guard soldiers were ultimately crowned Best Warriors after enduring four days of intense testing. Sergeant Kevin Hernandez earned the title of Best Noncommissioned Officer for the 78th Troop Command, while Specialist Johannes Van Der secured the Best Soldier designation. Representing the 78th Aviation Troop Command, Sergeant Andrew Hartsfield and Specialist David Stratton were recognized for their exceptional performance. Their achievements reflect the demanding standards required to succeed in such competitions and highlight the importance of preparation, mentorship, and mastery of foundational soldier skills. Participants emphasized that rigorous training routines, including endurance conditioning, technical study, and repeated rehearsal of battle drills, were critical to their success.

This State level Best Warrior Competition expand the scope and difficulty of the challenge, bringing together participants from across Georgia’s military formations, including the Georgia Army National Guard, Georgia Air National Guard, Georgia (Country) Military and the Georgia State Defense Force. Over the course of a week-long event, soldiers competed across multiple training sites in Georgia and Alabama, navigating physically punishing and intellectually demanding scenarios. Staff Sergeant Sean Hayes and Specialist Mitchell Oneal of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team emerged as the state’s top competitors, earning recognition as Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year. Their performance demonstrated the high caliber of Georgia’s service members and reinforced the importance of joint and multinational training environments.

Among the most significant accomplishments for the Georgia State Defense Force was the recognition of Sergeant Steven Naturman, who received The Chad Mercer Award for exemplary performance. This honor, named in memory of a fallen Georgia Guardsman, is bestowed upon individuals who embody the warrior spirit, resilience, and commitment to mentorship. Naturman’s recognition serves as a testament to the dedication and professionalism of Georgia State Defense Force troops, who continue to demonstrate their ability to perform alongside National Guard counterparts in demanding operational and training environments. His achievement reflects not only individual excellence but also the growing maturity and credibility of the Georgia State Defense Force as a professional military organization.

The Best Warrior competitions also underscore the broader purpose of such events: strengthening readiness, fostering esprit de corps, and identifying future leaders capable of guiding formations in times of crisis. Competitors are required to operate under intense pressure, make rapid decisions, and demonstrate both technical proficiency and leadership potential. These competitions reinforce the shared standards expected of all Georgia Department of Defense personnel, regardless of their specific mission sets, and help ensure a cohesive, disciplined, and capable force prepared to respond to emergencies, disasters, and operational requirements across the state.

StateDefenseForce.com congratulates the Georgia State Defense Force troops who participated in this grueling and punishing competition. Their performance reflects the discipline, dedication, and professionalism that continue to define the organization. We would also like to recognize the outstanding leadership, led by Brigadier General Dennis Watts, within the Georgia State Defense Force, whose efforts have transformed the force into an essential partner to the Georgia National Guard, state agencies, and local authorities. Through sustained training, operational support, and commitment to excellence, the Georgia State Defense Force has proven itself to be an invaluable resource to the State of Georgia.

Four Soldiers crowned Best Warriors in Multi-MSC Level Competition

MARIETTA, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES
02.22.2026
Story by Sgt. Chasity Williams
124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

After four demanding days of physically and mentally challenging events, four Georgia Army Guardsmen achieved the title of ‘Best Warrior’ at this year’s 78th Troop Command and 78th Aviation Troop Command Joint Best Warrior Competition hosted Feb. 19-22, 2026, in Marietta, Georgia.

For 78th Troop Command, U.S. Army Sgt. Kevin Hernandez, a signals collection analyst representing the Forest Park-based 221st Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion, 78th Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard earned the title of Best Noncommissioned Officer and U.S. Army Spc. Johannes Van Der, an airdrop specialist representing the Marietta-based 781st Troop Command Detachment, 78th Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard earned the title of Best Soldier.

For 78th Aviation Troop Command, U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Hartsfield, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter repairer representing the Marietta-based Headquarters, 78th Aviation Troop Command earned the title of Best Noncommissioned Officer and U.S. Army Spc. David Stratton, a health care specialist representing the Marietta-based 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, 78th Aviation Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard earned the title of Best Soldier.

Training and preparation for success benefits those throughout the ranks.

“I trained by working with some of my senior noncommissioned officers that have competed in this competition in prior years,” said Van Der. “Because of that, I was able to familiarize myself with the competition and actually perform well”.

“I would like to emphasize to the junior enlisted to study up,” stated Hernandez. “When you understand the fundamentals of things, especially your battle drills, even the little things add up. You can see the bigger picture. When you can see the smaller picture and bigger picture, you can see the whole picture.”

The competition brought together competitors from the 78th Troop Command and the 78th Aviation Troop Command making this a unique event as major subordinate command (MSC) level competitions are normally conducted individually. U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Bill Connolly, the noncommissioned officer overseeing the competition, emphasized how the two MSCs hosting the event played a critical role in strengthening standards across formations.

“Regardless of whether someone is in aviation or infantry, they are all competing under the same set of rigorous criteria, which strengthens the recognition that excellence is universal,” stated Connolly. “This competition enhances esprit de corp. It reinforces the idea that regardless of mission sets, all Soldiers should uphold similar high standards of discipline, skill, and commitment.”

Throughout the event, Soldiers were tested on a wide range of warrior tasks and battle drills designed to assess tactical proficiency, physical fitness, resilience, and mental agility in high-stressed, mission-focused scenarios.

“These events directly support long-term training and readiness goals by providing a rigorous test of essential soldier skills and knowledge,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Nelson, who serves as the senior enlisted operations noncommissioned officer for 78th Aviation Troop Command. “It serves as a benchmark for individual and unit training, offering a clear path for soldier development. By reinforcing muscle memory for critical tasks and identifying and cultivating future leaders, the competition contributes to the sustained readiness of the 78th Troop Command and the 78th Aviation Troop Command.”

This competition highlights professionalism, readiness, and the commitment of Georgia’s Citizen-Soldiers. By pushing competitors to their limits, the event reinforces the high standards required to remain ready to serve and defend at a moment’s notice.

“I came out here trying to do my best, trying to prove myself to everyone else, and if anything else, just me,” stated Stratton. “I trained hard with mountain rucking, weightlifting, calisthenics, and researching for things knowledge-based.”

The 78th Troop Command and 78th Aviation Troop Command Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year winners will move on to the State-level competition Mar. 8-13, 2026, with the opportunity to represent the Georgia Army National Guard at the regional competition and higher echelon competitions later this year.

48th IBCT Soldiers named Georgia Army National Guard 2026 State Best Warrior Winners

MARIETTA, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES
03.13.2026
Story by Staff Sgt. Alexander Norred
124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MARIETTA, Ga. – The Georgia Army National Guard has named its best warriors for State Best Warrior Competition on March 13, 2026. After a challenging week-long competition at the Cumming Readiness Center in Cumming, Georgia; Catoosa Volunteer Training Site in Ringgold, Georgia; and Clarke Range Complex, Anniston, Alabama, two soldiers rose above the others and emerged victorious.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sean Hayes representing the Macon-based 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard clinched the title of Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, while U.S. Army Spc. Mitchell Oneal representing the Macon-based 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard was named Soldier of the Year. Both were awarded the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal during the ceremony at Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, Georgia.

“It was a tough competition,” Hayes said. “My mindset going in was to try as hard as I can and be the best I can be.”

Over five days, Hayes and Oneal competed in events against fellow Georgia Department of Defense service members representing all five of the state’s brigades and major commands of the Georgia Army National Guard, along with competitors from the Georgia State Defense Force, Georgia Air National Guard, and Georgian Defence Forces.

“The competition was super hard,” Oneal said. “It was an honor to compete against the soldiers that I did.”

Hayes and Oneal will face off against guardsmen from Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the Virgin Islands at the 2026 Region III Best Warrior Competition hosted by the North Carolina National Guard later this year.

Georgia State Defense Force Sgt. Steven Naturman received the peer-awarded Chad Mercer Award for exemplary performance in the competition. It is given to those who exemplify the warrior spirit and show resilience against all odds.

The award is named in memory of U.S. Army Sgt. Chad Mercer, a Georgia Guardsman who competed multiple times in the State Best Warrior Competition. Mercer died in June 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom while assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

“It means the world,” Naturman said. “It shows that I can help soldiers and hopefully mentor them to be better versions of themselves.”

“This is the first time it’s been joint and multinational,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Eubank, co-noncommissioned officer in charge of the competition.” It takes it to a whole other level of competition.”

The competition demonstrates the readiness and lethality of the Georgia DoD and country of Georgia Defence Force soldiers by testing the competitors with physical fitness assessments, written exams, and other warrior tasks and battle drills.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jason Fryman (left), commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Ballenger (right), senior enlisted leader of the Georgia Army National Guard, present the Chad Mercer Award to Georgia State Defense Force Sgt. Steven Naturman during the awards ceremony for the 2026 Georgia Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition at Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, Georgia, March 13, 2026.

The competition brought together competitors from the Georgia Army National Guard, Georgia State Defense Force, and the country of Georgia to test their skills through physical fitness assessments, written exams, and warrior tasks and battle drills. This marks the third consecutive year members of the Georgia State Defense Force have participated in the competition.

The award honors the memory of U.S. Army Sgt. Chad Mercer, a Georgia Guardsman who competed multiple times in the State Best Warrior Competition. Mercer was killed in June 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom while assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

“It means the world,” Naturman said. “It shows that I can help Soldiers and hopefully mentor them to become better versions of themselves.”

(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jordan McNeal)

Here are the highlights from yesterday’s Georgia State Best Warrior Competition events. These include an obstacle course, land navigation, and cave extraction!