Lydia Yost left for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, on August 12, 2025, and returned home this fall with accomplishments far beyond what most could imagine.

Lydia completed basic training on October 24, 2025, graduating with honors from Foxtrot 701st Company. During graduation, she was awarded the Female Iron Soldier Award, an honor given to the male and female soldier who earn the highest scores on the Army Combat Fitness Test.

The Army Fitness Test consists of five events designed to assess and improve physical strength, mental toughness, coordination, and flexibility. The five events include: 3 repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-ups in two-minutes, spring-drag-carry (five 50-meter shuttles as fast as possible using two 40-pound kettlebells, and a 90-pound sled), proper plank position hold for as long as possible, and a two-mile run. Lydia scored 497 points out of a possible 500 points. She received 100 points in the deadlift with the maximum 220 pounds, 98 points on the hand-release push-ups, completing 44 in 2 minutes, 99 points on the springdrag- carry with a time of 1 minute and 57 seconds, 100 points on the plank hold with a time of 3 minutes and 40 seconds, and 100 points on the 2-mile run with a time of 14 minutes and 46 seconds. Lydia was honored to receive the award.

Lydia shared that while she spent the summer preparing physically for basic training, much of her success came from the encouragement and motivation of her drill sergeants and fellow soldiers, who pushed her throughout the ten weeks to achieve more than she thought possible. She said she was honored to receive the award.

Following basic training, Lydia remained at Fort Leonard Wood to begin Advanced Individual Training with her MOS as a 31 Echo, Corrections and Detentions. She completed the eight-week training with the 701st Military Police Battalion, Charlie Company on December 12, 2025. At the graduation ceremony, Lydia once again graduated with honors, receiving the Master Sergeant Wilberto Sabalu Jr. Leadership Award, presented to the soldier who demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities, astonishing dedication to duty, and the greatest proficiency throughout the course of the training. Lydia was humbled to receive the award, which honors MGS Sabalu, who was killed in the line of duty. She again attributes her success to the leadership of her sergeants and her fellow soldiers who trained alongside her.

Lydia now plans to join her sister, Emma, in Mitchell, where she will attend Dakota Wesleyan University. She plans to pursue a degree in education and will also play softball for the Tigers.

Lydia will continue her service with the National Guard at her unit in Sioux Falls. While she was encouraged throughout training to go active duty, she for now plans to complete her college education first before making future decisions.

Lydia’s parents, Matt and Amy Yost live in Wagner. They shared that watching Lydia’s journey has been incredible. While completing basic training and AIT is an accomplishment in itself, they shared that knowing Lydia pushed herself to excel and took her role as a soldier seriously, and graduate with honors has made them incredibly proud as parents.