Sgt. Carter Cooper, at left, and Sgt. Peter Fillion, at right, conquer the final challenge of the Army National Guard’s 2024 Best Warrior Competition, a 12-mille ruck march, Aug. 8, 2024, at the Ethan Allen Firing Range, near Jericho, Vermont. For five days, the top National Guard Soldiers and noncommissioned officers in the nation faced a series of rigorous challenges, including multiple ruck marches, weapons proficiency tests and a modified biathlon. 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)