FOR RELEASE: Friday, April 10, 2026
CONTACT: Colorado National Guard Public Affairs, 720-250-1053, ng.co.coarng.list.militarysupport@mail.mil
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado National Guard will host the 2026 Best Warrior Competition at Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 11-12, 2026.
Enlisted service members will push their physical and mental capabilities as they compete for the prestigious titles of Colorado’s Non-commissioned Officer of the Year and Soldier or Airman of the Year.
"This competition is the ultimate crucible for the values we hold as Guardsmen—excellence, teamwork, and resilience," said Colorado Army National Guard State Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Erik Miller. "We're incorporating the Norwegian Foot March, a true test of endurance.”
“This isn't just a physical event; it's a direct link to our warrior heritage and a challenge I'm extending to every Soldier and Airman to shatter their comfort zones. It's a challenge for our Soldiers and Airmen to prove their mettle against the most formidable of their peers."
The BWC builds readiness, leadership and physical agility, traits service members need to have throughout their military careers.
Over two days, these warriors will be subjected to a grueling series of physical and mental trials. The Norwegian Foot March is an 18.6-mile march with at least a 25-pound pack. The competition is engineered to push the competitors to their limits, testing their leadership, stamina and skill under extreme pressure through relentless tactical exercises and military knowledge assessments.
Champions from the ARNG will earn the honor of representing Colorado at the Region VII Best Warrior Competition in late spring 2026 in New Mexico.
For more than 165 years, the men and women of the CONG have served our nation in wartime and as the first military responders in support of civil authorities during state emergencies. The CONG’s 5,500 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen are Always Ready, Always There.