CAMP CARROLL, South Korea– Early morning before the sun came up in the cold chill, soldiers and members of the Korean Service Corps throughout the peninsula participated in the first logistic warfighter competition.
The Logistic Warrior Competition was an initiative that was sparked from the soldiers of the 551st Inland Cargo Transfer Company. The company came up with the idea, developed the concept and planned the entire two-day event Oct. 23-24, on Camp Carroll.
Eight teams of six personnel each competed for the Gladiator Challenge and Master Stevedore.
Each team member had to test his or her physical and mental ability during each event; Army Physical Fitness Test, M1151 vehicle push, equipment carry, tire change, 10k All Terrian Lifter Army System tire flip and eight-mile road march.
Capt. LaShonda W. Wise, 551st ICTC, company commander said, “It was an amazing experience. The best part was seeing the soldiers push themselves to the limits during the physicals events.”
Day one of the competition was the most challenging, by testing the participants mental and physical ability. The biggest challenge to them was the eight-mile road march.
Pfc. Cal S. Mobley, of the 348th Quartermaster Company (QM), Camp Humphreys, said, “At times I felt like stopping and turning around, but we had a great and well prepared team that kept each other motivated to drive on and keep digging.”
As the day went on the soldiers were getting tired, but they kept on pushing to the end for the ultimate goal to see which team was the best of taking the first place trophy back to their unit. It was all about team work and working together.
“Going into this competition I knew it was going to be a challenge and that we as a team had to support each other to be better soldiers and brother-in-arms,” said Spc. Dustin McMichael, 348th QM Company.
Sgt. Jermaine Nelson, 551st ICTC section chief, knew putting on an event like this takes a lot planning to ensure that all the safety requirements are in place. Knowing how much time it takes to perform the entire task at hand to standard.
“I love to see my fellow 88 Hotel Cargo Specialist perform their skills in a competition. The way the soldiers pushed themselves during the Gladiator Challenge on day one and the teamwork they have shown,” said Nelson. “I actually worked on this event for about two and half months.”
“I am extremely proud of the team for putting such a top quality event. Events like this are excellent because they blend technical skills in a team framework,” said Lt. Col. Derek R. Hart, battalion commander of the 498th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. “So we are able to capture one team with six individual parts all working for a common objective.”
Seeing the different Military Occupational Specialist, come out, test their knowledge and skills on day two on the Material Handling Equipment Operators portion of the Master Stevedore competition.
Soldiers and the KSC were judged on their ability to maneuver through different obstacles on the 4k and 10k forklift, loading and unloading cargo from Internal Airlift/ Helicopter Slingable Containable Unit (ISU 90) from Load handling System, Kalmar Rough Terrain Container Handler operations double and triple stack just to name a few of the events.
“I had just completed a truck rodeo in Area I and I had a lot of fun doing it,” said Nelson. “So, I thought why we can’t do this as MHE? My commander, Capt. Wise, ask me can I make this happen at the same time I was thinking.”
Nelson put all of his thoughts and ideas together from previous missions and rodeos he has competed in he took them and ran with it. Additionally, he and his soldiers actually practice the events to ensure suitability and times were correct to complete each event.
“I have put in a lot of thought and put it into action, and glad everything worked out,” said Nelson.
Seeing the soldiers and civilians put their heart into this competition and give all they have makes them all proud of the accomplishments of winning something at the end of the day.
“I’m very excited about this win it means a lot to each and every one of us, we came here hungry and with something to prove,” said Mobley. “We had to do what we were trained to do, and make our ‘Audio Match Our Video.’”
“I would like to see more participation from outside units,” said Wise.
Soldiers had the opportunity to showcase their skills, competence and competitive spirit while building the team,camaraderie and Esprit de Corps.
Hart said “This was an outstanding event and I’m extremely proud of my team!”