Student, National Guard Member Wins State Best Warrior Competition

Millersville University sophomore Peter Wenzel of the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade was named Soldier of the Year at the Pennsylvania National Guard's 2026 State Best Warrior Competition in April.

The competition consisted of nine events to test the competitors' physical and mental fitness, including an Army Fitness Test, weapons qualifications, a written exam, an obstacle course, a 12- mile ruck march and a military appearance board.

Wenzel said it was an honor to compete in the Best Warrior Competition, but the camaraderie built throughout the experience is what truly made it worthwhile.

"Overcoming the hard things in life sometimes starts with just one small push forward," he says.

Wenzel advanced to the Regional Best Warrior Competition for Region II, held May 4 to 7 at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia. Although he did not advance to the national competition, his grandfather Jay Miller, a finance and administration generalist at Millersville University, says, "First place honors went to another fine soldier - a bit older and more experienced, but Peter learned a great deal about himself and what it is to push to the limits."

Learn more about the Region II competition by watching this video: DVIDS - Video - Region II Best Warrior Competition Final Video.