U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Warrior Competition

U.S. Army units from across Europe converge to compete for the title of Best Warrior. The week-long event tests Soldier skills, endurance, fortitude and resourcefulness as well as intellectual and problem-solving capabilities. Officers, noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Soldiers compete in separate categories and are evaluated on general military knowledge, physical fitness and common military tasks.

While some of the competition tasks are standard such as the Army Physical Fitness Test, written test, marksmanship, ruck march, land navigation and command sergeants major board; some of the challenges such as chemical defense and medical tasks - added to the stress of fitting everything into a few short days - makes the competition extra tough.

Winners in the NCO and junior enlisted categories will advance to represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the Army Best Warrior Competition at Fort Lee, Virginia.

For more imagery, videos and news visit our DVIDS feature page at: U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Warrior Competition

The Competitors

2021 U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Warrior Competitors.

EBWC - Imagery

EBWC Videos

Video by Sgt. Chandler Coats

REEL: 86th IBCT (MTN) Soldiers Conduct Air Assault Training in Greece

U.S. Army Europe and Africa

June 2, 2025 | 0:22

U.S. Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Connecticut Army National Guard participate in air assault training with UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters during Immediate Response 25 at Petrochori Army Base, Greece, May 30, 2025. Air assault is the movement of ground-based military forces by vertical take-off and landing aircraft. This transportation tactic may be used to support the seizure of key terrain that is not fully secured. As part of DEFENDER 25, these U.S. troops join NATO Allied & Partner nations to build readiness, strengthen deterrence, and demonstrate the ability to rapidly deploy combat power across Europe. U.S. Army video footage captured by Staff Sgt. Barbara Pendl. Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe and the Arctic region alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together with forces from 29 Allied and partner nations to build readiness through large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict. (U.S. Army video edited by Sgt. Chandler Coats)