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FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq (April 17, 2008) - Soldiers
from 203rd Brigade Support Battalion here tested their soldiering
skills in a series of physical and mental tests known as the "Eagle
Challenge" earlier this month.
The April 6 challenge tested physical endurance with a 1-mile
run with rifles; a four-and-a-half-mile foot march, which included
stops to test general soldiering knowledge and unit history; a
30-minute physical fitness and agility session; and four testing
stations that evaluated soldiers' ability to treat casualties;
disassemble and assemble a rifle, perform a functions check then
load it; and make a radio check.
"It's not all soldiers' common task training in the challenge,"
said Army 1st Lt. Natassia Fay, the battalion logistician. "There
are rules that must be followed, as well."
The rules stipulated that contestants could compete as
individuals or teams, there was to be no use of rank during the
challenge and no disputes with the cadre, and a positive attitude
had to be maintained.
Mission requirements prevented many soldiers in the unit from
participating, but 48 out of 250 available soldiers prequalified
and took on the team-building event.
Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Kelly J. Lawler, addressed the
soldiers, known as "crows," before the event began.
"Thank you for participating in the Eagle Challenge,' Lawler
said. "Right now you are a 'crow,' but by the end of the day some
of you will be 'Eagles.' You are the reason for this battalion's
success, and for that I thank you. … I have my 'buckle.' I want you
to have yours."
The sign of an "Eagle" is a brass belt buckle with the head of
an eagle wrapped in the words, "203rd Brigade Support Battalion,
Eagle Challenge, Support and Defend, 3rd Infantry Division."
"You will be proud to wear your belt buckle after today's
challenge," Lawler said. "Other soldiers will ask where you earned
it, and you can tell them FOB Hammer, Iraq."
The crows were herded off to have their rucksacks inventoried,
and the challenge began.
"Hurry up Crows, get those rucks emptied out," barked Capt.
Fenicia L. Jackson, the battalion operations officer.
"Crows! You are not moving fast enough; front-leaning rest
position, move!" she shouted, putting the soldiers in the familiar
push-up position.
After the soldiers warmed up for the 1-mile run with Jackson,
she inventoried the gear, had them load it up in a truck, and moved
them to the starting line.
Lawler was there waiting for the group.
"Are you warmed up, Crows?" Lawler asked.
"Maybe another warm-up exercise will get you ready! The
side-straddle hop; ready, exercise one, two, three!" he said, using
the Army term for jumping-jacks.
After the soldiers finished the exercises, Lawler sent them
running in the sun. Some left with smiles, some with frowns and
many with a set jaw and determined look.
Once the run was complete, the contestants put on their
rucksacks and moved on to the foot march. Sgt. Michael Decker, was
in the lead, with Spc. Clinton Biddle close behind. They were
followed by team "Wolfpack," which consisted of Sgt. Paul Zadzura,
Spc. Mark Shaheer and Spc. Louis Pinault.
After the march, the leader board remained the same. Decker
stayed out in front; Biddle a close second; and Staff Sgt. Willie
Farrisin third place for the singles competition. Team Wolfpack led
in the team category; the leader board remained the same for the
rest of the events.
The march was followed by a mandatory rest period at the home
station.
However no one got any rest.
Behind the break area lurked a giant water truck. The
competitors were soon drenched and covered in mud.
"I didn't see that coming," said Sgt. 1st Class Perry Flournoy.
"It felt good at first. I was hot and sweaty after moving out with
that ruck on. Next thing I know, we were covered in mud."
The 30-minute 'mandatory break' turned into an exercise in
discipline, dedication and motivation in which soldiers had to
demonstrate low- and high-crawl techniques.
"At that point we were half way through. I have never been a
quitter; I wasn't going to start then," said Flournoy, who was
elected the event's Most Valuable Player by the cadre. "By the time
the break was over, I needed a break. My [protective goggles were]
covered in mud, which meant I was covered in mud."
After the "break," contestants were released to the testing
stations according to the time they came in to home station.
Wet and dripping with mud, the crows took their score sheets and
were directed from station to station by the cadre. At each
station, they dried out a little more, until they finished the
challenge.
"I knew this team had what it takes to win," said Zadzura, a
member of the Wolfpack. "We pushed each other hard. ... We won
together."
The day capped off with a banquet to award the soldiers their
belt buckles and recognize the winners with Army Achievement
Medals.
The event started with 48 Crows and finished with 48 Eagles
earning their right of passage - an Eagle Challenge belt
buckle.
The day was best described by Capt. Emanuel Velez, the commander
of Company A.
"For a few moments today; I forgot I was in Iraq, he said.
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