The Idaho National Guard hosted the Region VI Best Warrior Competition May 4-9 at Gowen Field, challenging participants with six days of physically and mentally demanding events to determine the region’s top non-commissioned officer and junior enlisted Soldier. Both winners of this year’s Region VI Best Warrior Competition are from the Montana Army National Guard. Spc. Canyon Blassingame, an infantryman, and Sgt. Matthew Lee, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear specialist, earned the top scores for their outstanding performance and dedication. They will go on to represent Region VI at the Army National Guard’s national-level Best Warrior Competition later this year. “This competition strengthens us in our camaraderie,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Alice Mapes, former Senior Enlisted Leader of the Idaho National Guard and board president of the Soldier Board event. “Working with other units and gathering information to put this whole event together has been a phenomenal experi...