Caden Leonard, a 2022 graduate of Bigfork High School and member of the Utah Army National Guard, has attained elite status as one of the top five members of the National Guard in the United States.

Earlier this month, Leonard battled against 13 other Army National Guard soldiers and noncommissioned officers at the Army National Guard's National Best Warrior Competition to take third place in the soldier category and earn a spot on the five-member team that will represent the National Guard at the 2026 Department of the Army Best Squad Competition. 

“I'm still processing it because it's hard to believe that I'm one of seven soldiers who competed, out of 350,000 soldiers,” Leonard said, having just returned from the contest in Florida. “It’s unreal. Major General Haas of the Florida National Guard said you’re more likely to become a professional NFL player. Not many people get to do this, but it’s an amazing experience.” 

Leonard grew up in Bigfork and currently attends the University of Utah where he is studying psychology and criminology. He spent the last year training for and competing in the Best Warrior Competition. The annual contest is designed to push solider to their physical and mental limits and tests tactical knowledge, marksmanship, land navigation, endurance and decision-making under pressure.  

Leonard first enlisted in the National Guard four years ago and is a Specialist in the 214th Forward Support Company. After securing victory at the Company level, more than a year ago he placed first in Utah’s State contest and was named Utah’s Soldier of the Year. He advanced to the regional contest in New Mexico where he defeated soldiers from six other states, placed first and advanced to the National contest, which took place at Florida’s Camp Blanding Joint Training Center.   

“This is literally the best 14 soldiers in the Army National Guard right now,” United States Army Command Sargeant Major Lonny Posey said in a press release.  

The Florida National Guard leader was the primary organizer of the competition.  

“They were out here giving their all, and we’re happy to be able to work for them.” 

The competition is split into two categories for soldiers and noncommissioned officers.  There were seven competitors in each category, for a total of 14 National Guard members from around the country representing the best of the best.   

By this time, Leonard was familiar with the format, but as he ascended to the higher levels, the contest grew more intense. In Florida, he was subjected to four days and nights of grueling tests, 25 in total. Triple-digit temperatures and new assessments challenged Leonard’s preparation. 

“We got less sleep. The backpacks were heavier. We had to move farther,” Leonard said. “We used live ammunition this time, so it was a sense of real life. We were shooting actual grenade launchers, actual rocket launchers. Everything was real, which is very cool.” 

One morning, Leonard recalled, he was woken up at 3 a.m. and shown a series of dreamlike images, depicting scenes like an airplane flying through an apple. He had one minute to memorize as many details as he could. At the end of the day, after more than 12 hours and jumping out of helicopters into the water and rucking with a heavy pack on, he was challenged to recall as many details as he could. The contest challenged him mentally just as much as it did physically. 

“I learned that I could push past limits I thought I had,” Leonard said. “I wanted to quit many times. I’d wake up in the morning and have bruises all over my body and didn’t want to go anymore, but you still go whether you like it or not. It’s cool to see how far I can push myself physically.” 

Despite his immense preparation, Leonard still battled his own doubts. As a truck driver in the National Guard, he often felt like he was at a disadvantage compared to those who work in combat-related roles and are exposed to the elements of the competition in their day-to-day duties. 

But Leonard compensated for his relative lack of experience with discipline and an unwavering dedication to the contest, never once letting his focus slip. Even on a day off, when competitors traveled around Florida and learned about the history of the state, Leonard took meticulous notes in case he was later quizzed on the information they learned. They weren’t, and Leonard did admit that he wishes he could have enjoyed the airboat ride more, but no one questioned that he was there to prove himself. 

Unbeknownst to Leonard, German military officials were also evaluating several of the events for eligibility to earn two German military proficiency badges: the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge and the Schützenschnur, the German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship. At the awards ceremony, Leonard learned he, along with the 13 other competitors, had qualified for and earned the gold medal in both awards.  

Despite having just wrapped up the National Best Warrior Competition, Leonard now shifts his attention to the Department of the Army Best Squad Competition. There, Leonard and the four other highest-placing National Guardsmen will represent the National Guard's 350,000 soldiers and compete against 10 active-duty squads and one U.S. Army Reserve squad. Leonard said that these squads come from all over the world, and he’s excited by the opportunity to compete against teams based in the Middle East or South America. 

Leonard will spend a month at Georgia’s Fort Benning training with his new teammates in the lead-up to the Best Squad Competition, which will be held at Fort Benning from Sept. 11-19.   

“I think the biggest thing I've learned about myself is that there's always something you don't know,” Leonard said while reflecting on the year he has dedicated to the Best Warrior Competition. “You can be the most experienced person in the field, but there's always somebody that's there can teach you something, or someone that can beat you at something, and it's a very humbling experience that I feel like everyone should have.” 

Reporter Elsa Ericksen can be reached at 406-758-4459 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.

 Caden Leonard jumps from a helicopter into the water at the Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Florida’s Camp Blanding Joint Training Center from July 11 to 14. (Courtesy Caden Leonard)
  

    Caden Leonard carries a previous version of Utah's flag during the Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Florida’s Camp Blanding Joint Training Center from July 11 to 14. (Courtesy Caden Leonard)
  

    Caden Leonard navigates the obstacle course at the Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Florida’s Camp Blanding Joint Training Center from July 11 to 14. (Courtesy Caden Leonard)