Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Vann | Soldiers at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst stand in formation after participating in...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – Clouds of exhaled breath rose in the 24-degree New Jersey morning as 300 soldiers fell in at attention. Together, 17 different formations, all from various cities and states, ran together in a three-mile run representing their individual units within the mobilization battalion at JB-MDL.
These soldiers from various units from around the United States are all training to mobilize at JB-MDL before continuing on to their designated deployment locations.
Army Maj. John Jacobs, chaplain and his assistant Spc. Timothy Johnson from the 134th Chaplain Support Team have been at JB-MDL for 11 days getting ready to deploy to Kuwait.
“Twenty-four degrees is cold for Lynchburg, Virginia, where I’m from,” Spc. Johnson said, “but I’m still pumped for this battalion run.”
After taking accountability, the units formed up together as one large group on the icy field to be addressed by Army Lt. Col. Samuel R. Rodriguez, battalion commander, 3-314th Field Artillery Battalion.
“This morning’s run is about 60 percent motivation and 40 percent PT,” said Rodriguez. “It’s about team work and motivating each other to make it to the end.”
Army Col. Roderick Bridgewaters and Col. Brian Miller from the 108th Training Command headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., are on day two at JB-MDL. They’re being deployed to Afghanistan on an adviser mission for NATO.
“It’s great to see all the motivated, mobilizing soldiers and cadre,” said Miller.
Each unit ran in formation carrying their respective guidon in the forefront, while soldiers took turns leading their troops in cadence. They returned three miles later to the parade field just as motivated as when they began their run. Rodriguez addressed the battalion again as they finished by thanking them for coming out and reminding them about the importance of heart over physical endurance.
“This is about you, it’s about unity, team work and motivation,” said Rodriguez.
Army Sgt. Phillip Gallinaro with the 302nd Military Police Company has been at JB-MDL for about a month and a half. They’re preparing to do combat support operations in Afghanistan.
“The run was good,” said Gallinaro. “I felt motivated. We have a good company and we’re all gelling together well. Everyone made it through the run. We don’t have fall outs in the 302nd.”
Even though all the participating units juggled a full schedule of training and briefings while preparing to ship-out, it was a combination of things that motivated the JB-MDL to take the time for this run.
“Army Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Johnathan Stephens holds the pulse of this battalion and he wanted to do something more for the soldiers that are getting ready to deploy into harm’s way.” Rodriguez said. “They’re faced with a lot of challenges and their training is tough. This is a good way to build team work in their individual organizations because this battalion isn’t going with them. Anything we can do to build cohesion and team work, we will do it every time.”
Based on the success of the run, Rodriguez plans to continue this event for future units mobilizing through JB-MDL.
| Date Taken: | 01.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 01.17.2014 17:35 |
| Story ID: | 119333 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE-MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 262 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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