JULY 6, 2025 – 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.
“I am truly grateful for this opportunity to compete and work alongside such incredible competitors,” said O’Neal, who won the Best Foreign Competitor in the competition. “This is a great experience for any Soldier or Airman looking to challenge themselves, step outside their comfort zone and create lasting memories with people you never thought you would meet.”
The first two days consisted of familiarization training, followed by the evaluation portion of the competition. These events included multiple obstacles, testing combat and life-saving skills, marksmanship, tactical skills and overall physical fitness. Competitors ran to each station, covering more than 18 kilometers, where they were evaluated on both their speed and expertise.
During the awards ceremony, Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Defense Radostin Iliev presided over the event alongside Maj. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee’s adjutant general, with U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. John T. Raines III, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, also in attendance. The Bulgarian Land Forces team placed first, the Bulgarian Military Police team placed second and the Bulgarian Joint Special Operations Command placed third.
“The Bulgarian Armed Forces hosted an outstanding competition,” Ross said. “They provided a unique opportunity for all the competitors to test their warfighting skills and strengthen our allied partnerships through shared challenges and joint training.”
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.
“Competitions like this are exactly what our partnership is about,” Ross said. “I am proud of our long-standing friendship with Bulgaria and look forward to the future as we continue to prioritize modernization, boost readiness and cultivate relations to advance our joint capabilities.”
By Capt. Kealy Moriarty
Tennessee National Guard Public Affairs