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    Vigilant Warriors compete in competition

    Vigilant Warriors compete in challenge

    Photo By Sgt. Ryan Twist | Soldiers at the starting line of the 5k running event during the quarterly Vigilant...... read more read more

    GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

    09.04.2015

    Story by Sgt. Ryan Twist 

    139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

    GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - The 525th Military Police Battalion held a quarterly challenge, Vigilant Warrior, for their Soldiers on Aug. 25, at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

    Soldiers competed in numerous activities at the G.J. Denich Gym and Cooper Field. The event started with a 100-meter run, followed by pull-ups, dead lifts, situps, push-ups, 5K run, and a mystery event, which consisted of two Army warrior tasks. Soldiers battled the blistering heat to compete in the challenge.

    “It is basically a PT (physical training) test on steroids,” said Sgt. 1st Class John Blagojevich, the operations noncommissioned officer-in-charge with the 525 MP Bn. Soldiers had to meet certain standards before they could participate in any events.

    Individuals had to be on pace with their current rank on all Structured Self-Development courses, said Blagojevich. Soldiers must currently be enrolled in a college course or a correspondent course if they had not already possessed a college degree.

    According to Blagojevich, Soldiers must have a current record Army physical fitness test with a passing score of 240 points or higher and marksmanship or higher in weapons qualification.

    Cpl. Emmanuel Carodelcastillo, a Soldier with the 525 MP Bn., met the qualifications to participate in the event, said he wanted to compete to represent his unit.
    “I like to compete for the name on my chest,” said Carodelcastillo, referencing his unit t-shirt. “I think it is a really good test of fitness and our Army knowledge.”

    Other Soldiers participated in the event because they enjoyed the tough challenge and wanted recognition for their efforts.

    Spc. Jesus Argota, a Soldier with the 525 MP Bn., said he wanted a physically and mentally challenging event to test his abilities.

    “I felt like I was up to par and could do all the requirements for the Vigilant Warrior,” said Argota. “It gets your name put out there, especially if you are a lower enlisted Soldier.”

    Each event had a set standard for time and repetition, which is scored on a three-point scale, said Blagojevich. Gold is worth three points, silver is worth two and bronze is worth one.

    For example the Soldiers had three minutes to complete 100, 95 and 85 situps for gold, silver and bronze respectively, he said.

    At the conclusion of the challenge, graders tallied up all the points earned from each event and gave the Soldiers their final rating, said Blagojevich. Soldiers who earn seven to 11 points were awarded the bronze. Soldiers who earn 12-17 points received the silver award and those who receive 18-21 points received the gold award.

    Soldiers who earned bronze received a battalion certificate of achievement and a three-day pass. Soldiers, who earned silver, receive a battalion certificate of achievement and a four-day pass. Lastly, Soldiers who earned the gold award received an Army Achievement Medal and a four-day pass, said Blagojevich.

    Soldiers, exhausted from the rigid heat, acknowledged the competition was a success.

    “Vigilant Warrior is a pretty cool package,” said Carodelcastillo. “I would love to do it again and also get some of my Soldiers out here to participate as well.”

    While Argota does not know if he received an award, he said the event motivated him to better himself toward his military progression.

    “People are out here trying to improve themselves and help each other out,” said Argota. “Everybody was pushing each other and making sure everybody got to the finish line.”

    Soldier or unit morale can be challenging when Troopers jobs are constant and monotonous. The Vigilant Warrior Challenge encourages healthy competition among the service members and boosts morale in the unit.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.04.2015
    Date Posted: 03.01.2016 13:26
    Story ID: 190693
    Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU

    Web Views: 120
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN