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Soldiers size up truck rodeo

Photo By Sgt. Robert Adams | Spc. Christopher Westbrook, B 1/12 FA, and Spc. Nathan Forgues, 406 TTP, take a...... read more read more

05.10.2006

Courtesy Story

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Soldiers from the 180th Transportation Battalion are on the road moving supplies into Iraq daily in support of the warfighter.

The battalion gave Soldiers not on missions the chance to display their driving skills and vehicle knowledge during the Logistical Task Force 180 Truck Rodeo Thursday and Friday.

"We want to build esprit de corps and have healthy competition between the units," said Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Adams, 180th Trans. Bn. command sergeant major. "The truck rodeo is a chance for the Soldiers to show off the skills they have learned during the tenure of their deployment."

Each unit selected Soldiers to compete for bragging rights as the best M915 truck, M1114 humvee or M984 recovery vehicle driver.

They had the chance to earn 7,000 combined points based on: a written exam; a primary maintenance checks and services; an in-ranks inspection, and an additional 7,000 points during the obstacle course, said Spc. Steven Valentin, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 180th Trans. Bn.

The Soldiers began the rodeo Thursday with an in-ranks inspection, where Adams looked over every Soldier.

"This is your chance to show off your skills," Adams said to the Soldiers after the inspection. "I appreciate all of you stepping up to the challenge."

Soldiers first took to the classroom to take the written exam, which tested their vehicle knowledge.

From there the competitors went to battalion motor pool and graders tested them on how they perform a PMCS on their vehicle.

"The PMCS is the backbone of the Army, especially in transportation," said Staff Sgt. Allen Wilson, 406th Trailer Transport Point, 180th Trans. Bn. motor sergeant, who was a M984 recovery vehicle PMCS judge. "If you don't do a proper PMCS your equipment is going to fail on the road."

Battalion Soldiers gathered at Patton Army Airfield to cheer on their fellow comrades as they battled for points on the obstacle course Friday.

Soldiers are tested on how fast and how well they maneuver their vehicles through the obstacle course, said Sgt. Jackelyn Manassa, HHD, 180th Trans. Bn.

"It can be a challenge for Soldiers who have just started driving during this deployment, but for the drivers who have done this for years and this will be nothing for them," Manassa said.

Drivers maneuvered trucks with 40-foot trailers, up-armored humvees, and wrecker vehicles pulling a truck through four obstacles that tested their turning, parking, braking and reverse-driving abilities in between and around cones.

"The course helps Soldiers judge distances and teaches them to know when and when not to turn when on the road," said Sgt. David Hart, 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment, who competed in the M915 truck competition. "It helps you become more aware of your surroundings, which is very important. You've got to know what's around you at all times."

Most of the Soldiers are experiencing a truck rodeo for the first since the battalion consists of non-traditional transportation Soldiers. The battalion is made up of both National Guard and active-duty units with field artillery, quartermaster, engineer and combat service support backgrounds.

"They aren't truck drivers by trade, but they have been doing this the whole deployment, so what better way than to culminate the deployment with the skills they have learned along the way," Adams said.

A few 180th units received three months of truck driver's training prior to deploying, while others received it from the driver's academy. But Sgt. Ronny Sanders, 31st Forward Support Battalion, said that no matter how much experience you have, there is always something you can pick up on and do better. The main thing is practice.
Soldiers of the 180th have driven approximately 18 million miles on roads threatened by improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire attacks that have claimed four 180th Trans. Bn. Soldier's lives since the unit deployed in August.

One Soldier, Staff Sgt. Michael J. McMullen, received the Silver Star after he was killed by a secondary improvised explosive device while performing first aid on a Soldier burned by an IED explosion and while taking small-arms fire, Adams said.

"Transportation Soldiers are on the road five to seven days a week, depending on what the mission dictates," said Sgt. Marcell Green, Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment. "Anything can happen to prolong a mission, whether it's maintenance, weather or insurgent attacks â?¦ but we complete them all."