116th IBCT’s Cooper, 329th’s Bradner are VaARNG best warriors
Virginia National Guard Soldiers representing the Staunton-based 116th infantry Brigade Combat Team and the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group claimed top honors at the 2024 Virginia Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition March 14 – 17, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia.
The 116th’s Spc. Carter Cooper was named Soldier of the Year and the 329th’s Sgt. Patrick Bradner was named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. The 329th’s Spc. Royal Evans and Fort Barfoot’s Sgt. Nicholas Clark were named runners-up in their respective categories at the closing ceremony, attended by Brig. Gen. Charles B. Martin Jr. and Command Sgt. Maj. Irving Reed Jr., the VaARNG command team.
The four-day event challenged the Soldiers physically and mentally, with events testing their core skills as Soldiers.
“I’m very impressed with these warriors, who volunteered yet again to challenge themselves against other top performers to further build their skills and resiliency through the crucible of competition,” said Martin. “They represent the best of their units and the Virginia Army National Guard.”
Spc. Carter Cooper is the Virginia Army National Guard Soldier of the Year and Sgt. Patrick Bradner is the NCO of the Year after competing in the 2024 Best Warrior Competition March 14 – 17, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia.