The 2026 Georgia Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition kicked off March 8 at the Cumming Readiness Center in Cumming, Georgia. Seventeen competitors competed this year at Cumming Readiness Center, Cumming, Georgia, the Catoosa Volunteer Training Site, Ringgold, Georgia, and the Clarke Range Complex, Anniston, Alabama Mar. 8-13, 2026.
The competition brought together competitors from the Georgia Army National Guard, GSDF, and the country of Georgia to test their skills through physical fitness assessments, written exams, and warrior tasks and battle drills. The Georgia Army National Guard has partnered with the country of Georgia through the State Partnership Program since 1995, known as the “Pair of Two Georgias,” which focuses on military training and interoperability.
This marks the third consecutive year members of the Georgia State Defense Force have participated in the competition. Georgia State Defense Force Sgt. Steven Naturman earned the Chad Mercer Award, which 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.”
COVER PHOTO: (GSDF) Pfc. Patrick Railey crawls under barbed wire during the Hand Grenade Course event of the 2026 Georgia Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition at the Catoosa Volunteer Training Site, Ringgold, Georgia, Mar. 11, 2026. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Norred)
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Norred)
