Photo By Sgt. 1st Class John Carkeet IV | Army Pfc. Matthew Gilbert, a Columbia, S.C., native serving as a chemical, biological,...... read more read more
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PRELUDE: EXPECTATIONS
“The next three days will determine who has the strength, endurance, courage and commitment to represent the 143d ESC at the next level.”
This single sentence uttered by Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Lopes, command sergeant major, 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), succinctly set the expectations for the 12 candidates gathered in a Spartan classroom building nestled in the heart of Camp Blanding, home of the Florida National Guard’s premiere training facilities. Selected by their respective companies or battalions, the nine men and three women flew or drove hundreds of miles for this coveted opportunity to compete against some of the finest Army Reserve Soldiers in the 143d ESC Best Warrior Competition conducted March 8-11, 2017.
“I was honored that my commander asked me to represent our unit,” said Spc. James R. Pemberton, a motor transport operator in the 498th Transportation Company. “I’m definitely not the strongest, fastest or smartest Soldier in my company, but I feel confident that I can quickly and correctly perform every that my competitors and I face in the coming days.”
After checking into their barracks, the competitors underwent several strict inspections to ensure they met Army height and weight standards and adhered to a detailed packing list that contains scores of items necessary to succeed in the diverse collection of challenges that await them.
“All the competitors will participate in a physical fitness test beginning at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning,” said Lopes. “Beyond that, they do not know what other events await them. After spending several months meticulously planning each event, our command agreed that adding a layer of uncertainty will maintain an even playing field while promoting camaraderie among the competitors.”
PART I: ALL DAY, ALL NIGHT (March 9, 2017)
Dawn had yet to illuminate the lakes and trees blanketing Camp Blanding when the Soldiers endured an Physical Fitness Test directed by Army Reserve drill sergeants from A Company, 2nd Battalion, 485th Infantry Regiment (Initial Entry Training) out of Jacksonville, Fla. After completing pushups, sit-ups and a two-mile run, the competitors had less than hour to eat, clean, change uniforms, don rucksacks and step into a van bound for Camp Blanding’s live fire ranges.
The 143d ESC cadre and A-2/485 drill sergeants managed the ranges that tested the each competitor’s competency with the M4 Carbine, M9 Pistol and M203 Grenade Launcher—all while wearing a gas mask. The Soldiers were then ferried deep into Camp Blanding’s dense forest where they applied their land navigation skills to physically locate three distant points on a map using only a compass and protractor.
“I absolutely loved this,” said Spc. Alisha Howell, serving as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear specialist at Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 143d ESC. “Even though it was tough to endure back-to-back events, this competition reminded me why I joined the Army in the first place.”
As the hot, dry day relinquished control to a cold, moonless night, the competitors returned to the field with weapons locked and loaded. Muzzle flashes pierced the darkness as the competitors attempted to eliminate their artificially illuminated targets.
“This was by far the most challenging event for me, and I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the other competitors share my sentiment,” said Pemberton, a native of West Alexandria, Ohio. “I doubt any of us had any exposure to night fire beyond what we learned at basic [training].”
“Some basic Soldier skills are perishable,” said Lopes. “Many Soldiers have a difficult time with map reading, land navigation, and night fire. “That’s why NCOs and officers must maximize training time during battle assemblies and AT (Annual Training) events.”
PART II: OF SOLDIERS AND STATIONS (March 10, 2017)
The competition entered its second full day as the exhausted yet enthusiastic dozen looked deep with themselves and to one another to find the strength and courage to face seemingly countless challenges that covered the full spectrum of warrior tasks and skills.
The 143d ESC cadre and their Army Reserve drill sergeant partners split the troops into two even groups. One team departed for Camp Blanding’s Military Operations and Urban Terrain site, while the other proceeded to the post’s air assault course.
The MOUT site comprised seven stations that featured practical exercises that evaluated each competitor’s mastery of essential Soldier skills. From facing movements and weapons assembly to administering first aid and setting up a claymore, every Soldier had to demonstrate their ability to apply what they learned in Basic Military Training with little to no assistance from their strict instructors.
“I definitely discovered a few deficiencies of mine,” said Howell, an Orlando, Fla., native. “Before this competition, I had never assembled an M9 pistol nor an M240 [machine gun]. To my surprise, I was able to put together the M9.”
The air assault course tested the Soldiers’ speed, strength and endurance climbed, crawled, leapt and lifted their way through various obstacles designed to humble even the most resilient athlete.
“The obstacle course challenge smoked us,” said Pemberton, a husband and father who works the night shift as a maintenance technician at a casino. “All that climbing, jumping, running and swinging activated every sore muscle in my body.”
Later that day, both groups switched sites, and all 12 Soldiers received a refresher course in throwing hand grenades.
“They were dummy grenades that looked and weighed the same as the real thing,” said Lopes. “I believe the competitors and instructors had the most fun at this event … What Soldier doesn’t like throwing explosives?”
After 12 hours of constant movement while carrying 35-pound ruck sacks, the competitors returned to the barracks to prepare their gear for an early morning 10-mile road march followed by an Army Service Uniform appearance board.
PART III: PRIDE (MARCH 11, 2017)
After a punishing, 72-hour challenge that started with an Army Physical Fitness Test and weapons qualification, continued with warrior skill stations and an air assault obstacle course, and concluded with a 10-mile ruck march and sergeants major appearance board, 12 Army Reserve Soldiers can proudly say they completed the 2017 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Best Warrior Competition.
Brig. Gen. Deborah L. Army Brig. Gen. Deborah L. Kotulich, commanding general, 143d ESC, personally congratulated the participants during an awards ceremony that took place in the very building where Lopes had laid out his expectations for the competition three days earlier.
“I am thrilled by what you did to get here and impressed by what you accomplished in three days,” said Kotulich, a career officer who completed Air Assault school while attending West Point and, most recently, earned the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency. “I encourage everyone to share your experiences with your fellow Soldiers. The skills you demonstrated during this competition may one day save your life or the lives your battle buddies in combat.”
Although all 12 Soldiers received and deserved high praise from the 143d ESC’s senior leadership, only two earned the right to earn the title, “Best Warrior.”
Howell won first place in the Soldier category, while Sgt. James A. Smith, a Bay Springs, Miss., native assigned to the 647th Transportation Company as a motor transport operator, took home the trophy in the noncommissioned officer category.
“This was a testament to what happens when you continue to push yourself and never give up,” said Howell, who, when not wearing the uniform, works as an accountability technician for America’s nuclear power industry. “The Best Warrior reinforced my strengths and exposed my weaknesses. I will take these lessons to heart as I physically and mentally prepare myself for the next competition.
Howell and Smith will leave for New Orleans in April to compete at the 377th Theater Sustainment Command level.
“I am confident that [Howell and Smith] will proudly represent the 143d ESC at the next level,” said Kotulich. “However, I am also especially honored to be associated with every Soldier here who took precious time from his or her job, school and family to participate and support this annual event. Your courage and commitment exemplify the finest qualities of an Army Reserve Soldier.”
| Date Taken: | 03.12.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.14.2017 10:36 |
| Story ID: | 226719 |
| Location: | CAMP BLANDING, FL, US |
| Hometown: | BAY SPRINGS, MS, US |
| Hometown: | ORLANDO, FL, US |
| Hometown: | WEST ALEXANDRIA, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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