Photo By Terrance Bell | Staff Sgt. Kiara Torres, Tango Company, 266th QM Bn., issues orders to her platoon...... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va. (Sept. 1, 2016) -- First-time attendees of the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade Drill and Ceremony Competition are are typically electrified by the energy, spirit and pride permeating from the throngs of boisterous advanced individual training troops sitting in the grandstands and cheering performers on the field.
Count Brig. Gen. Rodney Fogg as one who received that jolt of enthusiasm during Saturday’s 2016 installment of the competition. The QM General and commandant of the QM School, who has held his current position less than six months, appeared at the Williams Stadium event without fanfare and wore a bright smile for the most part, visibly moved by what he witnessed.
“I’m really, really proud to see these Soldiers work so hard and do such great things,” he said with a beaming grin. “I’ve been in the Army 29 years and my heart swells to see Soldiers who were just civilians months ago dedicate themselves and work so hard … . Bottom line, I’m just proud of our Soldiers.”
That was probably the consensus among the other leaders present as well – among them Col. Tamatha Patterson, commander, 23rd QM Bde.; Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Sellers, CSM, QM Corps and School; and CSM James Thomas, CSM, 23rd QM Bde. It was a memorable event, said the latter.
“It was great for team building and esprit de corps for the command as well as the organizations,” Thomas said.
The annual competition, which seems to get bigger each year, is divided into regulation and freestyle events. During the regulation portion, platoon-sized elements are guided by platoon sergeants or cadre and are graded on a number of by-the-book drill movements. Platoon sergeants and cadre are not allowed in the freestyle event that allows participants to create their own routines and infuse theatrics during performances.
Two teams from each of the brigade’s three battalions were entered into both events of the competition.
An award also was presented to the battalion showing the most spirit.
After all of the hoopla and three hours of performances in 90-degree weather, the envelopes were passed and winners announced. Juliet Company, 262nd QM Bn., a unit full of legal specialists, beat out all of the quartermaster elements to claim the regulation win. Uniform Co., 262nd QM Bn., was victorious in the freestyle event, despite predictions by its platoon sergeant that favored a win in the regulation event. Still, Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Elam was elated for his troops.
“They just embodied the Soldiers’ Ethos,” he said. “They’re great Soldiers. This is not just a competition to us, it’s a way of life. We’re disciplined, motivated and fit professionals. I’m very proud of my Soldiers.”
Uniform’s routine – heavy on traditional moves like counter-columns – was conservative compared to the others, which featured hip hop music, Soldiers standing atop stacked weapons, martial arts and the use of chalk to simulate explosions. Uniform’s Pfc. Jesse Shannon explained.
“We made it up as we were practicing,” he said, noting some Soldiers watched Army drill team performances online. “Everybody had input, and we just came up with ideas, collaborated and practiced them.”
The fact the win was a team effort made it sweeter, added Shannon.
“I’m proud to be part of this group; part of this team,” he said. “It really is an amazing feeling and rgreat for our team and for our company.”
The 266th QM Bn. earned the spirit award.
Thomas said all of the performers should be commended for working hard and competing to be the best.
“All of them did a great job out here today,” he said. “They showed dedication to the task.”
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.01.2016 11:10 |
| Story ID: | 208690 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 115 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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