New Hampshire Army National Guard names 2027 Best Warrior winners

PEMBROKE, N.H. — Sgt. Johnathin Bailey and Pfc. Samuel Gosselin earned the New Hampshire Army National Guard's 2027 Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year titles after three days of marksmanship, land navigation and physical challenges Oct. 23-25.

Bailey, a fire control specialist with the 197th Field Artillery Regiment, was named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Gosselin, a wheeled vehicle mechanic attached to Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, earned Soldier of the Year.

The two Soldiers are expected to advance to the regional Best Warrior Competition, where they will compete against Soldiers from across New England for an opportunity to advance to the national level. The annual competition brought together junior enlisted Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from across the state to test their proficiency in fundamental warrior tasks, physical fitness, marksmanship and Army knowledge at multiple training sites.

"It's an opportunity to demonstrate expertise at our fundamental tasks," said Command Sgt. Maj. Caleb Smith, the New Hampshire National Guard's state command sergeant major. "Shoot, move, communicate and survive."

Competitors completed equipment layouts, marksmanship events with the M4 carbine, M17 pistol and M26 shotgun, a written examination, day and night land navigation, the Expert Physical Fitness Assessment, Army Warrior Task evaluations and a military appearance board.

The competition concluded with an 18.6-mile Norwegian Foot March, a new challenge that extended the distance of the event's traditional ruck march.

“The new 18.6-mile ruck march increases the distance from 12 miles, adding another challenge to competitors’ endurance,” said Sgt. Maj. Kevin Harvey, the New Hampshire National Guard’s G1 sergeant major.

Although all competitors were evaluated using the same standards, noncommissioned officers were expected to demonstrate greater knowledge, consistency and mastery of the tasks. For many, the competition provided an opportunity to revisit foundational skills that receive less attention during routine training.

“The Best Warrior Competition brings us back to the fundamentals of why we joined the Army,” Bailey said. “It gives us an opportunity to practice basic Soldier tasks and get hands-on experience with skills we don't always use during drill weekends.”

For junior enlisted Soldiers, the competition also offered an opportunity to identify weaknesses, build confidence and test their limits.

"You have to try to push yourself," said Pfc. Kylie-May Combs, a member of the 197th Field Artillery Brigade. "If you're not trying, then you're not going to make yourself better." Mentorship played an important role throughout the competition. Each Soldier was accompanied by a sponsor, typically a member of their unit leadership, who helped with preparation, studying and encouragement.

Staff Sgt. James Small, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 744th Forward Support Company and last year's Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, returned to the competition as Gosselin's sponsor after advancing to the regional level himself.

"Gosselin has a great attitude," Small said. "He's a very can-do person. He's competent, confident, and he's willing to learn."

Small's own experience demonstrated the value of mentorship and persistence. After losing his first Best Warrior Competition, he sought feedback from the competition cadre and used it to guide his training over the following year.

"My very first competition, I lost," Small said. "But I was able to sit down with some of the cadre here, and they gave me a debrief."

That preparation helped Small return and earn the title the following year. Now, he is helping Gosselin prepare for the next level of competition.

“I'm going to build on the training that got me here,” Gosselin said. “Sgt. Small and I plan to work on land navigation, rucking and whatever else it takes to prepare for the next level.”

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