Photo By Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson | Spc. Jason Stoddard, a Silver Springs, Fla., native, and trombone player with the 10th...... read more read more
By Sgt. Jason Thompson
Multi-National Division-Baghdad Public Affairs Office
BAGHDAD – It was a battle to the death. Only one man would survive and he would be declared greatest of all the land.
Each competitor trained fearlessly for months on end, fighting off the fiercest of enemies, and leaving no battlefield intact.
Through all the trials and tribulations, it was time for the greatest warriors to ascend on the ultimate battlefield to determine who would ultimately claim the title of 'Master Chief.'
The top 10 players from around Baghdad were each invited to the Halo 3 tournament of champions at the Freedom Rest compound July 20, 2008, after each had proven they were the best of their respective forward operating bases.
OK, maybe it was the nine top players from Baghdad, and me.
In order to qualify, each competitor battled through different tournaments at each of their respective Forward Operating Bases to select the top dog who would represent their base.
Different bases had as many as 50 people attempt to qualify for this tournament and in the end the 10 best gamers from Baghdad converged on the peaceful Freedom Rest compound and began an epic battle which would result in more than 150 fallen warriors.
The format was a simple -- Spartan vs. Spartan competition, with default slayer settings. Everyone played on the same three maps – Epitaph, The Pit and High Ground. First man to 15 kills won the match and best two out of three matches advanced to the next round of the tournament bracket.
At the beginning of the day we drew names from a hat to decide who would match up against whom in the first round.
I started the day rolling along as I swept the first round with an overall score of 30-0 and then moved into the semi-finals still undefeated.
But this is where it all changed for me.
I definitely met my match when I was pitted against Spc. Jason Stoddard, a Silver Springs, Fla., native, and trombone player with the 10th Mountain Division Band, Multi-National Division – Central.
I started the semifinal matchup strong with a quick two kills using the rocket launcher against Stoddard, but from that point on he completely dominated me.
Stoddard quickly changed his strategy to snipe me from different points on the map and I could not fight against it. Every time I would come around a corner I'd drop like a fly and I was murdered the first match with a score of 15-5.
The second match wasn't any better for me as he used my own opening strategy against me and quickly killed me four times with the rocket launcher before I could even touch him. My only three kills in the second match came as I stuck Stoddard with a grenade just before I was killed off. The final score of the second match was 15-3.
This would in turn set up an all 10th Mtn. Div. final between Stoddard and Spc. Chris Chernis, a Long Island, N.Y., native, and mechanic with Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mtn. Div., Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
Both Chernis and Stoddard looked to be rather equal in competitive nature as they swapped the lead in each match numerous times.
In the end, one man reigned superior to the rest as Stoddard won the final round by a score of 15-9 and 15-11 against Chernis.
Stoddard walked away with the top prize of an Xbox 360 Elite console, but even more importantly, he left with bragging rights above everyone in Baghdad as he is Baghdad's "Master Chief."
Chernis earned a $250 gift certificate to Best Buy with his runner-up finish.
Spc. Joel Dolliver, a Londonderry, N.H., native, and signal specialist currently attached to 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div., MND-B, finished the day with a third place standing and earned a $100 gift certificate.
The tournament was sponsored, and prizes provided by the U.S. Army Family and Moral, Welfare, and Recreation Command and Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers.
I'd like to close by giving a congratulatory hand to everyone who competed in the tournament. The competition was close and I know everyone came with high aspirations. Unfortunately, there can only be one best, and all the rest of us can do is keep gaming and come back after the next crown.
Until next time, keep those thumbs limber, your triggers quick and as always – keep on gaming.
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 07.25.2008 03:28 |
| Story ID: | 21827 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 264 |
| Downloads: | 212 |
This work, Best in Baghdad battle to death for title of 'Master Chief', by SSG Jason Thompson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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