Maryland Soldier Claims Victory in Grueling Regional Best Warrior Competition

According to a press release from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Spc. Matthew Zrebiec, an intelligence analyst with the 629th Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion of the Maryland Army National Guard, has emerged victorious as the Best Soldier at the Region II Best Warrior Competition. The intense four-day event, held May 4-7, 2026, at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia, saw Zrebiec triumph over competitors from five states and the District of Columbia. He will now advance to represent Maryland at the National Best Warrior Competition in Florida.

The Region II Best Warrior Competition tested the mettle of 20 Soldiers and members of the Estonian Defence Force through 29 graded events. These challenges spanned over 3,000 acres of training ground and included rigorous assessments such as a combat fitness test, a stress shoot, land navigation, and a river crossing. Competitors endured demanding schedules, with days often beginning as early as 3 a.m. and concluding late into the evening.

One of the initial and most challenging events was a 12.5-mile ruck march through mountainous terrain. While Zrebiec secured first place in the Soldier category for this event, his fellow Maryland competitor, Sgt. 1st Class Ian Mittel, was forced to withdraw due to an aggravated injury sustained during the state-level competition. Mittel, a recruiting and retention noncommissioned officer, had a distinguished military history dating back to 2002 with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. His dedication to representing Maryland, despite his injury, was acknowledged by Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Metzger of the MDARNG.

Zrebiec’s performance continued to impress throughout the competition. He also won the three-mile boot run and maintained focus and a high level of performance, earning accolades from peers and event cadre alike. His prior military experience includes joining the Army National Guard in 2024, motivated by a desire to serve and set a positive example for his two young children. He expressed an enjoyment for competition and self-challenge, stating that testing his abilities against top performers is highly rewarding.

The victory at the regional level means Zrebiec will compete on the national stage from July 9-16, 2026, in Florida. He will be joined by Sgt. 1st Class Erich Friedlein of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, who won the Non-Commissioned Officer category. Maj. Gen. James Seward, the adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, commended the competitors for their exceptional warrior spirit and competitive drive. Zrebiec’s brigade command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Davis of the 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, also praised Zrebiec’s consistent high performance throughout the demanding competition. Zrebiec himself expressed anticipation for further training and preparation to enhance his expertise and fitness for the national competition.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

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