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Michigan National Guard Soldiers Compete for National Berth at Regional Best Warrior Competition

April 28, 2026

MIARNG Soldiers win Michigan Best Warrior Competition

Representing Michigan are Sgt. David Pecorilli, Michigan’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, and Spc. Charlez Hatt, Michigan’s Soldier of the Year. Both Soldiers serve with the 3rd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, based in Grand Ledge. They will compete against elite National Guard Soldiers from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa for the opportunity to advance to the national-level competition.

LANSING, Mich. — Two Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers (MIARNG) will compete against top Army National Guard service members from six Midwestern states in a demanding five-day regional competition that tests the physical, mental and tactical skills required of today’s warfighters. Hosted by the MIARNG April 29–May 3 at Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta, the 2026 Army National Guard Regional Best Warrior Competition will determine the region’s Soldier of the Year and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

Competitors will be evaluated on a wide range of warrior tasks, including weapons proficiency, land navigation, emergency medical response, ruck marches, combat casualty care, helocast operations and the Expert Physical Fitness Assessment. Representing Michigan are Sgt. David Pecorilli, Michigan’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, and Spc. Charlez Hatt, Michigan’s Soldier of the Year. Both Soldiers serve with the 3rd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, based in Grand Ledge. They will compete against elite National Guard Soldiers from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa for the opportunity to advance to the national-level competition.

WHO: MIARNG Soldiers, National Guard competitors from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa
WHAT: 2026 Army National Guard Regional Best Warrior Competition 
WHEN: Media Day — May 1, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Fort Custer Training Center, 2501 26th St, Augusta, MI 49012

Members of the media are invited to attend Media Day to capture competition events and interview Michigan’s top competitors. To RSVP, please contact 1st Lt. Paige Bodine at paige.e.bodine2.mil@army.mil no later than 4 p.m. on April 29, 2026.

Department of Military & Veterans Affairs Press Release MI Newswire Department of Military & Veterans Affairs DMVA

Media Contact:

Michael Kroll

Deputy Public Information Officer

krollm2@michigan.gov

517-285-9734

Author:

Michael Kroll

Deputy Public Information Officer

krollm2@michigan.gov

517-285-9734

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