Command Sgt. Maj. Dale Crockett, Tennessee's State Command Sergeant Major, Sgt. Maj. Heath Young, and Chief Master Sergeant Mike Johnson join the joint Tennessee National Guard team at the finish line of the Bulgarian Armed Forces' first multinational Best Warrior Competition in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, June 26, 2025. The Tennessee National Guard and Bulgaria have shared a 32-year state partnership through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program. Over the years, the Bulgarian Armed Forces have participated in the Tennessee National Guard Best Warrior Competitions. (Tennessee National Guard photo by Capt. Kealy Moriarty)

Members of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard competed in the Bulgarian Armed Forces' first multinational Best Warrior Competition held at the Vasil Levski National Military University, June 23-26.

The competition featured 12, five-member teams representing various military units to include the Bulgarian Armed Forces, the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group stationed in Novo Selo, the Slovenia Armed Forces, the Tennessee National Guard, and members of U.S. Army V Corps.

The Tennessee National Guard team consisted of Army and Air National Guard Soldiers and Airmen competing together. From the Tennessee Air National Guard were team members Tech. Sgt. Ben O'Neal (competitor), and Staff Sgt. Angelo Melasecca (competitor), both from the 118th Wing Security Forces Squadron; Master Sgt. Jesse Gullett, 118th Wing (medic); and Senior Master Sgt. Michael Brumer (coach). From the Tennessee Army National Guard were Staff Sgt. Daniel Bullion (competitor), Volunteer Training Site; Sgt. Joshua White (competitor), Regimental Fires Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment; Spc. Brian Hayes (competitor), Regimental Support Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment; and Sgt. Maj. Jamie Spicer, 30th Troop Command (coach). 
 
"I couldn't be prouder of our incredible team of Soldiers and Airmen who stepped up and gave their all in this joint Best Warrior Competition," Spicer said. "Their grit, discipline and teamwork are a true reflection of the values we stand for. They represent our organization with honor and set the standard for excellence." 
 
Competitors were tested on both their individual skills and their ability to work as a team, overcoming physical and mental challenges while strengthening multinational partnerships. 

The joint Tennessee National Guard team complete the marksmanship portion of the Bulgarian Armed Forces' first multinational Best Warrior Competition, hosted by the Bulgarian Armed Forces at the Vasil Levski National Military University, June 23-26, 2025. The Tennessee National Guard and Bulgaria have shared a 32-year state partnership through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program. Over the years, the Bulgarian Armed Forces have participated in the Tennessee National Guard Best Warrior Competitions. (Tennessee National Guard photo by Capt. Kealy Moriarty)

Members of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard competed in the Bulgaria Armed Forces' first multinational Best Warrior Competition, at the National Military University, June 23-26, 2025. The Tennessee National Guard and Bulgaria have shared a 32-year state partnership through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program. Over the years, the Bulgarian Armed Forces have participated in the Tennessee National Guard Best Warrior Competitions. (Tennessee National Guard photo by Capt. Kealy Moriarty)

Maj. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee's Adjutant General, presents the Bulgarian Land Forces team the first-place trophy during the awards ceremony following the Bulgarian Armed Forces' first multinational Best Warrior Competition held at the Vasil Levski National Military University, June 23-26. The Tennessee National Guard and Bulgaria have shared a 32-year state partnership through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program. Over the years, the Bulgarian Armed Forces have participated in the Tennessee National Guard Best Warrior Competitions. (Tennessee National Guard photo by Capt. Kealy Moriarty)

Source: U.S.Air Force