Courtesy Photo | Spc. Benjamin Hauge, right, a team leader with Company C, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor...... read more read more
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By 2nd Lt. Douglas Bengal
BAGHDAD — Eight pairs of hands take up firm grips on tow straps as the same number of feet plant themselves in the sparse grass. Eyes narrow and soldiers tense in anticipation as 1st Sgt. Mark Bilyeu, first sergeant of Company C “Cobras,” 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, and a Viola, Ark., native, raises his megaphone. As its electronic chirp echoes inside the walls of the courtyard, two groups of soldiers surge backwards opposite of each other, pitting their combined strength and coordination against each other in a tug-of-war.
The onlookers’ cascade of cheers urges both teams on as they struggle to keep their footing while straining to pull a centered knot of engineer tape into their territory. With a heave one side gains momentum, takes ground, then more, and suddenly earns themselves a victory in the first “Cobra” team competition.
“Cobra” soldiers formed themselves into seven teams comprised of four soldiers each and put their athleticism to the test.
The tournament was comprised of six events, with points allotted to those who place first through fifth in each event. At the end of the day, the most athletic, well-rounded team would hold the most points and win.
Following the tug-of-war, was a 400-meter relay race. The chill morning weather that earlier threatened the competition was banished by a bright sun aloft in a clear sky. Despite the rugged track, soldiers pushed themselves and most blazed in with times below 60 seconds.
Next was the push-up contest. One team at a time, each participant stood before a judge and limbered up as they listened to the instructions. Each team had 60 seconds to do as many pushups as possible. The average team score was 253, which averaged to 63 push-ups per soldier. The next event traded taxing the upper body for testing grip and leg strength with a run while carrying a dirt-filled duffel bag on a litter.
Teams sought out the most efficient way to hold the cumbersome litter as they ran the course. Some tactics appeared more stable than others as one team dropped their litter while approaching a corner and another had to stop to lower their carry from shoulder to thigh level.
The next event was the sandbag toss. A heavy sandbag laid behind a pair of cones. Thoroughly re-enforced with tape, it was ready to withstand repeated attempts by soldiers to toss the thing as far as they could. Participants could not gain momentum with a running toss, nor could they go past the throw line unless the sandbag was out of their hands. Wherever the bag landed became the throw line for the next team member. The team with the furthest combined distance won.
An ugly missile of bloated, woven, plastic and obnoxious orange tape sailed repeatedly through the air and landed with a dull thud and bounce. After points were awarded, everyone moved on to the final event.
In the last event, an up-armored Humvee sat impassively with 50 meters separating it from the finish line. All teams favored pushing over pulling the Humvee. They spread themselves, one team at a time, behind the vehicle and waited. The megaphone sounded and the teams, in turn, threw their weight into the mass of steel and Kevlar.
Slowly, wheels turned and momentum began to overcome inertia. Soldiers chopped their feet as they fought to gain speed and push the tons of metal across the finish line. The competition was fierce, as amazingly only one second separated first place from second, second from third, third from fourth, and fourth from fifth.
“It feels pretty darn good [to win],” said Pfc. Christopher Siler, a gunner with Company C, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., and a Roberts, Ind., native. “Everybody had to try their best in the competition to get anywhere [against the other teams].”
| Date Taken: | 02.05.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2011 09:14 |
| Story ID: | 66282 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 122 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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