Troops compete for the title of ‘FOB Hadrian’s fittest’ team

Courtesy Photo | Cpl. Scott Tampalini from the 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Task Group has a rest during the 135 pound bench press at the Forward Operating Base Hadrian fitness competition. Soldiers from the United States and Australia have competed in the first official fitness competition at Forward Operating Base Hadrian on Jan. 4, 2013. Five teams of four competed for the title of ‘FOB Hadrian’s fittest’ and bragging rights in the Sergeant First class Alvin Boatwright Memorial Gym. Teams were given three minutes on the bench press, deadlift, pull up, dip and box jump stations to complete as many repetitions as possible. Third Platoon Charlie Company 2-3 Engineers took the title with a combined total of 365 repetitions, followed by an Australian foursome from the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Task Group (7 RAR TG) with 330. Photography by: Capt. Jesse Platz, 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Task Group  

TARIN KOWT, AFGHANISTAN

01.08.2013

Courtesy Story

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By: Capt. Jesse Platz
7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Task Group

TARIN KOT, Afghanistan - Soldiers from the United States and Australia have competed in the first official fitness competition at Forward Operating Base Hadrian on Jan. 4.

Four teams of five competed for the title of ‘FOB Hadrian’s fittest’ and bragging rights in the SFC Alvin Boatwright Memorial Gym.

Soldiers from the United States and Australia have competed in the first official fitness competition at Forward Operating Base Hadrian on Jan. 4.

Four teams of five competed for the title of ‘FOB Hadrian’s fittest’ and bragging rights in the SFC Alvin Boatwright Memorial Gym.

Teams were given three minutes on the bench press, dead lift, pull up, dip and box jump stations to complete as many repetitions as possible.

Third Platoon Charlie Company 2-3 Engineers took the title with a combined total of 365 repetitions, followed by an Australian foursome from the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Task Group (7 RAR TG) with 330.

Bravo Battery, 1-9 Field Artillery managed third, and the Security Force Assistance Team 56th IBCT Texas National Guard finished fourth.

Organizer and Commander Bravo Battery, 1-9 Field Artillery Capt. Jonathan Erwin said the competition was a great display of friendly rivalry.

“It gives the guys something to look forward to; it’s a morale booster, it brings everyone together and it promotes teamwork and camaraderie around the FOB.”

Given the competitive nature of expertly trained military members, friendly banter quickly ensued.

“They were coming in number one seed, everyone was talking about how the Australians are big guys, always in the gym but we just came in and each one of us performed our specialty and that’s what brought us the victory,” Sgt. Clark Bryan, 2-3 Engineers said.

“I gave it 110 percent, did 40 straight non stop then muscle failure kicked in, you just gotta keep on keeping on, shake and bake,” Spc. Matt Bivens, 2-3 Engineers said.

The Aussies blamed a lack of preparation, or perhaps notice, on the narrow loss but vowed to return bigger and better for the next round of the competition.

“I got 49 out in the bench press which was 3rd overall, had I known about it a little earlier we could have done better, but as a team, finding out about it the night before, we still came second overall, so pretty proud of that,” Cpl. Scott Tampalini, 7 RAR TG said.

“We’ll be back in a few weeks time and I think we will blitz them. It’s a great competition but I’m not real impressed by the American’s form in their exercises, we’ll get em next time,” Pvt. Dale Mooney, 7 RAR TG said.

“There’s gonna be a lot more crap talking going around the FOB, I think it’s a good thing and the guys are gonna have a lot of fun doing it,” Capt. Erwin said.

• Date Taken: 01.08.2013
• Date Posted: 01.08.2013 12:38
• Story ID: 100086
• Location: TARIN KOWT, AF