The Army National Guard’s best from the Midwest completed a three-day skills and endurance competition last week at Camp Ripley. The Best Warrior Competition included one enlisted soldier and one non-commissioned officer from each of the Region IV states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Minnesota’s own Staff Sergeant Michael Walker and Sergeant Corbin Routier would eventually win the contest. The soldiers had to complete physical fitness tests, written tests, a stress-fire drill, an obstacle course, navigation and so much more. We get a close-up look at the fierce competition in this week’s Northwoods Adventure.

By — Shane Lee