By Sgt. Jennifer Schweizer
1st Sustainment Brigade
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The competitors stared each other down as they prepared to mount their mighty steeds and engage in battle for top bragging rights at the rodeo – the truck rodeo that is.
Such was the case as the Soldiers of the 515th Transportation Company, 165th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, which provides support throughout the Multi-National Division – Baghdad area, took advantage of an opportunity to show off their skills during the unit's inaugural truck rodeo, May 7.
"The main purpose for this event is to build cohesion, morale and esprit de corps within the unit and platoons," said 2nd Lt. Travis Michelena, an Ooltewah, Tenn., native, who serves as a platoon leader with the 515th Trans. Co. and the event's organizer.
"I figured it would be fun and a way for Soldiers to get their minds off the deployment," he continued.
The rodeo was timed event in which the competitors were required to conduct proper preventive maintenance checks and services before heading out to the course. Awaiting them were eight obstacles, and their chosen paths to victory were outlined by cones to mark the trail.
The object of the rodeo sounds simple enough – to make it through each event in the shortest time possible. The rules seemed simple enough as well. Drivers faced a time penalty for hitting cones. The time penalty was added to their total time, and the drivers could earn a time deduction for their ability shorten their distances from the cones during their turns.
"I feel good about this event. It gives the Soldiers an opportunity to come out and show their skills" said 1st Sgt. Norvell Tillman, a native of Bruce, Miss., who is the senior enlisted leader with 515th Trans. Co.
Altogether, 10 Soldiers stepped up to the challenge to compete in the truck rodeo, with two Soldiers from each platoon vying for top honors.
Spc. Malcolm Barker, a native of Tupelo, Miss., said despite the face he had not had to chance to practice on the course before the competition, he felt confident as he watched his fellow competitors.
"After watching the first two (competitors), I feel pretty confident – they are kind of messing up," said Barker.
His tone changed a bit after following his turn – he spoke of the difficulty of the course. The bottom line, he said, was that he was glad to have had the opportunity to compete.
Claiming top bragging rights for the day was Sgt. Rudy Ancheta, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii. Ancheta blazed through the course in the now-record time of 8 minutes, 48 seconds. Although he has been working at a battalion staff job for the past four months, he said it's vital to keep up his driving skills.
"It's my job to learn how to drive this truck and be able to do it whenever called upon," said Ancheta, who also claimed top honors during a truck rodeo hosted by the 28th Transportation Battalion in Germany.
"I guess it's in my blood," laughed Ancheta.
Date Taken: | 05.09.2008 |
Date Posted: | 05.09.2008 08:19 |
Story ID: | 19259 |
Location: | TAJI, IQ |
Web Views: | 188 |
Downloads: | 162 |
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