STANAG 6001 Level 3 – Writing Task (Report): Participation in the 2026 Illinois Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition
Examination task
Write a minimum of 200 words on the topic below.
Your unit, represented by soldiers from the Territorial Defence Force Training Center, has recently participated in the 2026 Illinois Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition in the United States. Your commander has asked you to write a report evaluating the participation.
In your report:
- describe the purpose and nature of the competition,
- assess the benefits for your unit,
- make recommendations for future improvements.
Sample Answer
Subject: Report on Participation in the 2026 Best Warrior Competition
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the participation of soldiers from the Territorial Defence Force Training Center in the 2026 Illinois Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition, conducted from 27 to 29 March 2026 at the Marseilles Training Area in the United States. The event is considered one of the most demanding military competitions, designed to test comprehensive combat readiness.
Description of the Competition
The Best Warrior Competition is an elite, scenario-based event aimed at identifying the most capable soldier and non-commissioned officer. It focuses on reinforcing mastery of fundamental soldiering skills, including the ability to shoot, move, communicate, and survive under combat-like conditions.
In 2026, ten competitors, including two representatives from Poland, took part in the final stage. Participants were required to complete eleven demanding tasks over three days. These included dynamic shooting with M4 and M17 weapons, combat medical procedures, radio communications, land navigation, and handling various types of machine guns such as the M249, M240, and M2. Additionally, competitors underwent a series of physically and mentally challenging events, including an unknown-distance run, a combat fitness assessment, and a nearly 20-kilometre ruck march with full equipment. Tasks were conducted under time pressure and in English, requiring rapid adaptation to unfamiliar equipment and procedures.
Benefits for the Unit
Participation in the competition brought significant training value. Soldiers enhanced their physical endurance, mental resilience, and ability to operate effectively under stress. The requirement to perform complex tasks in a foreign environment improved their adaptability and decision-making skills.
Moreover, the competition strengthened interoperability with allied forces and provided valuable experience in operating with American military equipment. The success achieved, including first place in the Soldier of the Year category and third place in the non-commissioned officer category, confirms a high level of operational readiness and training effectiveness. It also represents a historic achievement, as no Polish soldier had previously won this competition.
Recommendations
To further enhance the benefits of participation, it is recommended to increase pre-deployment training focused on operating foreign weapons systems and communication procedures in English.
Furthermore, it is advisable to expand participation in similar international competitions in order to maintain a high level of interoperability and continuously improve operational capabilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2026 Best Warrior Competition proved to be a demanding and highly valuable training event. It significantly contributed to the development of key combat skills and confirmed the ability of Polish soldiers to compete successfully at the highest international level. Continued participation in future editions is strongly recommended.
Photo: Polish soldiers participating in the 2026 Illinois Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition © Illinois National Guard