Blood, sweat and grit: no tears for these Soldiers

Photo By Emily McCamy | Army Pvt. Levi Arrowood, with the 193rd Military Police Company in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, completes as many sit-ups as possible in a two-minute time frame during an extended physical fitness test at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, June 18. Arrowood, along with six other Soldiers from the 193rd MP Company, participated in a four-phase competition to include the extended physical fitness test. Three Soldiers will be chosen from the 525th MP Battalion to represent JTF Guantanamo at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., in a war fighter competition. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released by a court. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the War on Terrorism. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

06.26.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Emily McCamy 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — "Keep pushing! Keep pushing! Just get it done!" yelled Army Staff Sgt. Tammy Tillman as she coached her Soldiers during an extended physical fitness test which marked the beginning of try-outs for the Army war fighter competition.

The war fighter competition, held by the Military Police Regiment at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., is a regiment-wide competition which pits the best-of-the-best military police teams against one another in a grueling competition of strength, endurance and mental acuity.

The 525th MP Battalion will be sending a team to the competition. Seven members from the 193rd MP Company rose to the challenge to try out for the competition, June 18-19, completing an extended physical fitness test, obstacle course, 10-mile road march, written exam, M16 rifle qualification and 9 mm "stress fire," in an attempt to make the team.

Army Sgt. Steven Jones participated in the Warrior Police Challenge two years ago, but last year was unable to because of school obligations.

"It's the highest level of competition among the MPs; it's an honor to be on the team," Jones said. "I've been training since I came down here."

The extended physical fitness test pushes Soldiers to do as many push-ups as they can in two minutes, roll over immediately, and do as many sit-ups as they can in another two minutes. As soon as they completed the sit-ups the Soldiers were on their feet and approaching the starting line for a three-mile run.

"These [Soldiers] just got here — hard charging," said Army Staff Sgt. Jolene Anderson, platoon sergeant, first platoon, 193rd MP Company. "To see them come out here and perform this extended [physical fitness] test is awesome."

Once each Soldier cleared the finish line, the team was off to Marine Hill, to take on the obstacle course. Despite fatigue, the Soldiers attacked the obstacle course with determination and grit.

"The obstacle course was the hardest part this morning," Jones said. "Though push-ups, sit-ups — non-stop — and then jumping into a three-mile run, then into the van to go to the obstacle course, was all-around tough."

After completing the obstacle course, the Soldiers went back to the classroom where they took an exam, testing their knowledge of the Army and the military police corps.

"It takes mental and physical toughness," said 525th Military Police Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Raines to the Soldiers after the written exam. "Everybody is a winner already just by taking the initiative to try out for the team to represent the 525th MP Battalion at the competition. Hard times don't last; hard, disciplined Soldiers do."

With a brief break to eat, shower and rest, the Soldiers reconvened to draw weapons and attended an M16 rifle qualification, competing again for the best score of targets hit.

The following day, the team was up early for a 10-mile road march, followed by a "stress fire" with a 9 mm pistol. Upon completing the road march, the Soldiers completed 20 push-ups and then fired 40 rounds in one minute.

"These [competitions] allow our Soldiers to continue to be involved with [events] across the MP Corps and the Army," said 525th MP Bn. Commander, Army Lt. Col. Alexander Conyers. "Although we're performing a tough mission here, I think it's important that we allow them the opportunity to compete in events like the Bataan [Memorial] Death March, the Army 10-Miler as well as the Military Police Corps war fighter competition. These things prepare our Soldiers to go above and beyond what is expected or what they think they can do."

With the 193rd MP Company representing the entire battalion, the leaders and fellow Soldiers have a reason to be proud.

"I'm very proud, these guys are doing a great job," said Tillman, the platoon sergeant for 2nd platoon. "They have a lot of heart. Two are already participating in the Army 10-Miler, they're definitely 'Hooah.'"

As the team prepares for the competition, it's important to remember the other Soldiers who support them at the camps and in their daily jobs.

"They gotta pull the weight, but they don't mind," Tillman said. "We take care of each other."

The joint effort of Soldiers across the battalion and support from the Marine Corps Security Force Company — which played an integral role — helped the day's events come together for a successful team try-out.

"I think it's great that all of you took the opportunity to accept this challenge," Raines said to the Soldiers. "I know each of you want to be on the team."

Who made the team? Army Sgt. Steven Jones, Spc. Jason Adams and Pvt. Levi Arrowood.

"Arrowood works hard; I always see him out running," Anderson said. "He and Private Robinson are always pushing each other."

"I'm not the best, but I'll do my best to represent the 193rd MP Company and the MP regiment," Arrowood said. "The friendly competition with my peers is good for morale. We train together; we compete against each other, and [now] against other MP's."

For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil.

• Date Taken: 06.26.2009
• Date Posted: 06.29.2009 13:33
• Story ID: 35746
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU