CAMP DAWSON, KINGWOOD, W.Va. –
While Soldiers and Airmen from across West Virginia and the District of Columbia National Guard competed in the Best Warrior Competition hosted by the West Virginia Army National Guard on April 9-12, 2026, there was another set of warriors not competing for the spotlight, but creating the spotlight to ensure the story was captured and shared.
Soldiers with the 153rd Public Affairs Detachment, WVARNG, operated behind the scenes, documenting the competition’s top performers and telling their story.
The Best Warrior Competition is a multi-day test of strength, skill, and leadership, bringing together the top Army and Air Force Warriors and Noncommissioned Officers to compete across a wide range of events designed to measure tactical and technical readiness while reinforcing the Warrior Ethos.
For the 153rd PAD, their mission ran parallel to the competition, from first light to the closing ceremony.
“Covering the West Virginia and D.C. Best Warrior Competition takes a lot of coordination, long days, and attention to detail, and I’m extremely proud of how my team executed the mission,” said Sgt. 1st Class Ari Shuemake, the 153rd Public Affairs Detachment Readiness NCO. “Every Soldier in this detachment brought talent, professionalism, and creativity to the mission.”
The team coordinated coverage, tracked schedules, and ensured key moments were documented, moving between lanes, ranges, and training sites, often covering multiple events at once. These public affairs Soldiers maintained constant communication with leadership and event coordinators to stay aligned on locations and timelines.
Their role extended well beyond photography. Soldiers documented the competition in real time, gathering information, conducting interviews and producing articles that captured the intensity and professionalism of each competitor.
The 153rd PAD ensured both the West Virginia and D.C. National Guard were accurately represented across multiple platforms, providing visibility to leadership, service members and the public.
“The public affairs team tells the National Guard’s story, and we connect our Soldiers and Airmen to the people we serve,” said Shuemake. “This competition gave us a chance to highlight some of the best warfighters across both West Virginia and the District of Columbia, and my team worked hard to make sure their effort, grit, and professionalism were seen and understood.”
Accuracy and timeliness drove every product. They balanced speed with precision, delivering written stories, imagery, and social media content that met Department of War regulations while keeping audiences informed throughout the competition.
At the conclusion of the competition, the top Soldier and noncommissioned officer from each state advanced to represent their respective service at the Region II Best Warrior Competition, also conducted at Camp Dawson from May 4-8, 2026, where the 153rd PAD reprised their mission. Incorporating public affairs Soldiers from Maryland and Virginia, the team ensured competitors from all six states within the region were showcased over the four-day competition.