Sgt. Lisha A. Fairbairn, of River Falls, a combat engineer team leader with the 950th Engineer Company, 724th Engineer Battalion, competed along with 19 other soldiers at Fort McCoy, Wis., March 6-9, where they demonstrated unwavering dedication, resilience, and optimistic spirit competing to be crowned winners of the 2025 Wisconsin Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition.

The four-day competition tested the soldiers on their proficiency in several grueling subjects including their physical and mental stamina, as well as their knowledge of military tactics and procedures.

The nine soldiers and 11 noncommissioned officers who participated in the competition were evaluated on their proficiency in a call-for-fire scenario, M4 rifle and M17 pistol qualification, day and night land navigation, a written exam, an appearance board, Army Warrior Tasks, a 12-mile ruck march, combat water survival training, an obstacle course, and the Army Combat Fitness Test.

“We’re looking for the best, over-all, all-around soldier,” Command Sgt. Maj. Duane Weyer, the state senior enlisted leader for the Wisconsin Army National Guard, said.

This competition doesn’t measure who is the best at their job. It’s not about who’s the best medic or the best engineer, Weyer continued.

Fairbairn, who enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in November 2019, serves as a patrol officer with the River Falls Police Department for her civilian job, and also supported two state activations for civil disturbance in 2021 and 2024.

Fairbairn highlighted how the training mirrored real-life scenarios, particularly emphasizing the obstacle course event and how it directly led to the task of assessing a casualty and calling in a 9-line medical evacuation.

“It really simulated a combat environment when you're going to have a lot of adrenaline and be breathing hard,” Fairbairn said. “It really made it more realistic.”

Fairbairn also spoke about what it means to be a part of this competition.

“For me, this competition has been a great opportunity to get some additional training and push myself to my limits,” Fairbairn said. “I’m hoping to take what I’ve learned back to my unit to help improve overall readiness and prepare another soldier or non-commissioned officer for next year’s competition.”

During the closing ceremony, Brig. Gen. Matthew Strub, Wisconsin's deputy adjutant general for Army, talked about how simply being selected to compete in the State Best Warrior set Fairbairn and her fellow competitors apart from the rest of the Wisconsin Army National Guard.

“Whether you were the top or the last, it doesn’t matter,” Strub said. “You were willing to step up and you have done something most Soldiers would never do.

“We have nearly 7,000 soldiers in the Wisconsin Guard, and there are only 22 competitors,” Strub continued. “You are the best of the best, to step up and be willing to do this you are putting yourself above your peers.”

Submitted by Wisconsin Army National Guard