Brig. Gen. Joseph Lear, director of the Joint Staff for the Kentucky Army National Guard speaks during the 2024 Region III Best Warrior Competition awards presentation at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Kentucky, April 19, 2024. Nineteen competitors from 10 states and territories competed for the titles of Soldier and NCO of the Year for Region III. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Scott Raymond)