Wisconsin Guard Pilot Earns Spot on Army Fitness Team

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin National Guard Warrant Officer Jenna Sorenson placed first among 72 female Soldiers competing for four spots on the U.S. Army Warrior Fitness Team, adding competitive CrossFit to a military career flying UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.

Sorenson, assigned to the Wisconsin National Guard 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, developed her interest in fitness while preparing to enlist in 2015. A decade later, she hopes her experience encourages others to pursue their own fitness goals.

In 2019, Sorenson graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and was commissioned as a second lieutenant aviation officer through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps college program.

"As a freshman in college, I never would have guessed that I would have gotten the chance to become a pilot in the United States Army," Sorenson said. "This opportunity did not come easily, but both UW-Stout's academic and ROTC program made it possible for me to achieve my dream of flying."

Sorenson said one of her greatest accomplishments as an aviator was earning the title of pilot in command, meaning she has final decision-making authority over flight operations and is ultimately accountable for the safety of the helicopter and everyone on board. Sorenson achieved this designation during an out-of-state mission with her Wisconsin National Guard unit, the 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment.

The Army sparked her passion for fitness that continues to influence her life.

"I participated in many different high school sports. But when I began studying for my degree at UW-Stout, I stopped working out as much as I used to," Sorenson said.

"I was in college when I expressed interest in enlisting. I spoke with a recruiter, and I realized I didn't meet the required fitness standards. I started going to the gym again and eventually was able to enlist. Basic training really initiated and accelerated my fascination with fitness, having to run and work out every single day," Sorenson said.

As she completed mandatory physical training sessions and individual workouts to prepare for the official Army fitness tests, she noticed many similarities between Army physical training standards and CrossFit.

"The Army's fitness model is built on hybrid fitness. They don't want you to just be a really great runner, or just lift weights and be strong. They want you to be the best of both worlds, which is exactly what CrossFit is," Sorenson said.

Sorenson joined her first CrossFit gym in 2021 during flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama. She met fellow service members preparing for the Army Warrior Fitness Team tryouts, sparking her interest in joining the elite competition group.

Sorenson intensified her CrossFit training regimen while mobilized this past year, spending two to three hours in the gym nearly every day.

"I started getting better and better. It's amazing to see your body adapt to training when you take it seriously," Sorenson said. "This year was the first time I finally felt good enough to make the team, so I signed up to compete in the qualifier."

The U.S. Army Warrior At-Large Qualifier combined the 2026 CrossFit Open and Semifinals scores to rank applicants competing for a spot on the Army Warrior Fitness Team, narrowing the field from more than 250,000 Open participants to a select group of Army men and women.

Among 72 female Soldiers, Sorenson faced a highly competitive field where only the top four earn a coveted spot on the Army Warrior Fitness Team.

"It was so exciting as I watched my name move up on the competition leaderboard during tryouts. I couldn't believe it! Unbeknownst to me, I ended up taking first place and was one of four women who made the team this year," Sorenson said.

"I'm very proud that the countless hours in the gym and the investment in my training finally led to such a high achievement," Sorenson said.

As members of this selective group, Sorenson and the Army Warrior Fitness Team are expected to compete for top honors at CrossFit competitions and host public engagement events to expand the Army's reach and support recruitment efforts.

"If you decide to join the Army Warrior Fitness Team, the networking, new experiences and possibilities you'll have are endless," Sorenson said.

Army Warrior Fitness Team At-Large Coordinator Capt. Luke Purdy has worked alongside Sorenson and sees her leadership and performance.

"Warrant Officer Sorenson has made a significant impact on the Army Warrior Fitness Team in a short amount of time. She has excelled both as an ambassador for the Army's recruiting mission at marketing events, such as the Anaheim Fitness Expo, and as a competitive CrossFit athlete," Purdy said.

"Her performance in the CrossFit Service Cup online qualifier earned her recognition as the third-fittest female military professional in the world, demonstrating her commitment to excellence and her value to the team," Purdy said.