GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – This year the Military Police Corps Regiment celebrated its 69th birthday and the 193rd Military Police Company did its part to commemorate that milestone at Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
The regiment was challenged by Command Sgt. Maj. Charles R. Kirkland, of the Military Police regiment, to complete 69 miles of running as a company, platoon, section or team from Sept. 1 through Sept. 26. The 193rd Military Police Company accepted that challenge.
Army Capt. Nick Francois, the company commander and 1st Sgt. Michael Baker challenged their Soldiers to complete 69 miles of running for the duration of 26 days. Added to the challenge were 69 push-ups, 69 sit-ups and 69 four-count flutter kicks per day.
“The soldiers responded to the challenge with enthusiasm and tenacity,” said Army 1st Sgt. Michael L. Baker Jr., the senior enlisted leader of the company.
“It was a good, but hard challenge,” said Army Spc. Anthony Spires, an administrative clerk with the unit. Spires admits to having a competitive nature and working hard to surpass the standard that had been set.
“The task seemed very attainable, but given the conditions that these dedicated soldiers face daily, it was a challenge that most would have quit after the first week,” Baker said.
The unit’s morale increased during the time spent meeting the challenge.
“We set out to do this as team, so it helped everyone realize that we were not just a bunch of individuals doing this on our own,” Spires said.
The unit endured tiring days during the month they were meeting the challenge. A typical duty day for a 193rd MP Co. Soldier begins well before the sun rises over GTMO, to prepare for a work day that is more than 15 hours long.
The personnel who work in the camps endure long days of physically and mentally exhausting work, to ensure the detainees, receive safe, humane, legal and transparent care while in custody.
“Our soldiers have to deal with harassment, threats, assaults and manipulation from the detainees during the duration of their [work] days here,” Baker said.
During the Regimental 69-mile run challenge, the soldiers of the 193rd MP Company conducted physical training when work was completed.
“Upon completion of their shift, the soldiers would then prepare for Mission Essential Task List based, AR 350-1, or Physical Fitness [training],” said Baker. “The typical duty day ends [well after sunset],” Baker said.
It is routine for these soldiers to work four to five days before getting a day off. The soldiers still met the challenge under those working conditions. The culminating event occurred when most other service members were enjoying a good Sunday football game or a meal.
On Sept. 26, 113 soldiers completed a 6.9-mile run—in formation.
“This was the most many of these Soldiers have ever run at a single time and they proved their mental and physical toughness and crushed this obstacle,” Baker said.
Given their daily obstacles, the soldiers dug deep to complete the grueling challenge.
Soldiers from the company, fatigued and injured, ran together to complete all aspects of the challenge to ensure they reached the goal of 69 miles.
They also continuously motivated each other to ensure that all their battle buddies met the challenge.
“By the end of the challenge, we had run approximately 188 miles as a company, platoon, section or team,” Baker said.
The unit members also completed a total of 199,000 push-ups, sit-ups and four-count flutter kicks.
“This level of motivation and dedication cannot and will not be accomplished by all, but when needed a ‘Guardian of the Rock’ soldier will be there to assist and motivate others to accomplish their goals,” Baker said.
“What began as a 69-mile challenge was exceeded by the 193rd MP Company, who went a step further to prove that they’re worthy of the title ‘Guardians of the Rock’.”
For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil
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