Sgt. Carter Cooper, assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard, prepares his uniform on day four of the Army National Guard’s 2024 Best Warrior Competition Aug. 7, 2024, at Camp Johnson, near Burlington, Vermont. The competitors were provided a wooden ruler and a pair of scissors and a strict 20-minute time limit to put together the jacket of their dress uniform. During five days of competition, 14 of the nation’s top Army National Guard Soldiers and NCOs faced a series of rigorous challenges, including multiple ruck marches, weapons proficiency tests, a written exam and an appearance board. The top competitors will go on to represent the Army National Guard in the Department of the Army Best Squad Competition. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)