Private 1st class Jurjević – the best in foreign armed forces category at the 2025 Minnesota Best Warrior Competition

Two members of the Croatian Army, Corporal Dario Stegnjaić and Private 1st class Kristofor Josip Jurjević, achieved notable results at the international Minnesota Best Warrior Competition, which was held at the end of April 2025 in the state of Minnesota in the United States of America.

In the foreign armed forces category, Private 1st class Jurjević won, while Corporal Stegnjaić took the second place. Both are members of the Guards Mechanized Brigade of the Croatian Army, and accompanied by Sergeant Major Stipica Bolanča, they participated in the competition together with members of the Minnesota National Guard and members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Private 1st class Jurjević: My main driving force was my daughter

Corporal Jurjević, who enjoys trail running in his free time and spends a lot of time in nature with his family, emphasized that he and Corporal Stegnjaić had no special preparations for the competition, but based their readiness on regular tasks and the established training program within the unit.

“My main driving force in the most difficult moments was my four-year-old daughter, whom I did not want to let down, because one day my victory might serve as motivation for her to overcome the obstacles that await her in life. Also, for me it was a question of integrity, because I was given the honour and trust to have the opportunity to represent my unit and Homeland at an international competition in America,” Corporal Jurjević said.

With their high ranking, Private 1st class Jurjević and Corporal Stegnjaić once again demonstrated and proved the superior readiness of the CAF members and their competitiveness in international competitions, honourably and proudly representing the Croatian Army.

The highlight of the Best Warrior Competition: commando marching with full equipment and weapons

This year’s competition in Minnesota was organized for the first time under a new, very demanding concept that did not allow for rest and recovery of the competitors. The competitors demonstrated their knowledge, skills and physical fitness through day and night orientation marches and shooting with various types of weapons in the US Armed Forces (M4A1, M17, AT4, M240, MK19).

Part of the competition included S.E.R.E. (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape): crossing a dangerous area of about 10 square kilometres full of “opponent’s” forces, patrol vehicles and patrols, with concealment and evasion. The highlight of the competition was the so-called “Valor Ruck” – commando walk 20 kilometres long with full equipment and weapons with five working points where field firings with full service charges were conducted and first aid was administered (TCCC – Tactical Combat Casualty Care).

Best Warrior Competition is a competition held since 2002 to promote the important role of soldiers and non-commissioned officers in organization of the United States Army, and is a tradition that is also sustained by the Minnesota National Guard. Winners of this competition receive prestigious honours and awards in recognition of their achievements, and also represent the Minnesota National Guard at subsequent United States Army competitions at regional level and at special events throughout the year.