The Louisiana National Guard’s top 18 Soldiers and Airmen from across the state competed in the 2023 Best Warrior Competition (BWC) at Camp Beauregard in Pineville and Camp Villere in Slidell.
The BWC is an annual event that tests Soldiers and noncommissioned officers (NCO) on their basic and advanced warrior skills with the top two being named Soldier and NCO of the Year.
Throughout the four-day event, competitors were given multiple exercises and scenarios that tested them physically and mentally. On the second and third days, competitors conducted several events, including individual weapons qualification, day and night land navigation, an obstacle course and a water survival test.
Staff Sgt. Christian Coalgrove a native of Covington and member of the 1021st Engineer Vertical Construction Company, and Spc. Paul Allyn of Denham Springs, a member of the 3-156th Infantry Regiment, were announced as the competition winners and named LANG’s 2023 NCO and Soldier of the year, respectively.
