Sgt. Carter Cooper, a Virginia Army National Guard infantry Soldier assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, took top honors in the Soldier category of the National Guard Bureau Region II Best Warrior Competition held May 6-10, 2024, at multiple locations in Maryland. Carter was a specialist when he competed and was just recently promoted to sergeant. Staff Sgt. Bradner, a combat engineer assigned to the VaARNG’s Petersburg-based 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, placed fourth overall in the NCO category with just nine points separating him from the top spot.