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Punishers Compete At Fort Story

Photo By Jason Ragucci | (Left to Right) PFC Kayla Jacobs, SPC Sierra Williams, SGT William Williams, and SGT...... read more read more

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

06.16.2017

Courtesy Story

82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade

FORT STORY, VA. Paratroopers from 249th Composite Supply Company (CSC), 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade at Fort Bragg, NC; trained and competed at the United States Army Forces Command’s (FORSCOM) annual reverse osmosis water purification unit (ROWPU) rodeo competition.
The six “Punishers” competed with seven other water purification teams from across the Army. The rodeo featured a number of physically and mentally challenging events that tested the proficiency and cohesiveness of some of the Army’s finest water purification units. According to the FORSCOM Logistics Training Cluster, the competition was created “as a motivational device to bring the military water community together; sharing the training, technology and actively compete to determine the top teams in a wide range of competitive events.”
“Allowing our water treatment specialists to train in a competitive environment provides a great benefit to our enduring mission to conduct bulk water purification, storage, and distribution,” said the 249th CSC Commander, Capt. Matthew Mayor, “Our opportunity to compete against some of the best water purification units in the Army while still exchanging standard operating procedures only improves our unit’s proficiency.”
The rodeo competition consisted of four elements: a written exam, 3K ROWPU operation, tactical water purification system (TWPS) operation, and a reconnaissance mission with water analysis all week (June 12-16). During the systems operations portion of the week, the civilian graders provided very thorough evaluation and assessed points based on each team’s ability to properly setup, operate and teardown both the 3K ROWPU and the TWPS.
“Our team endured a long week of stressful and physically draining competition,” said the coach of the Punishers’ team, Sgt. Christopher Holman, “We did not let physical exhaustion or mental fatigue slow us down or prevent us from competing at the highest level.”
It was the six Punisher Paratroopers’ determination and focus that earned them the ROWPU Rodeo Motivation Award for the team’s consistent work ethic and professionalism throughout the week long competition. The Punishers gained the knowledge, experience and continues to look for creative techniques to train their Paratroopers in order to prepare for any logistical support contingency.
“Developing unique and innovative training opportunities challenges our leaders to overcome new obstacles and instills confidence in our Paratroopers,” stated 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade Commander, Col. Gavin Gardner, “The ROWPU Rodeo has provided a stressful yet rewarding competition that strengthens the 249th’s ability to stay poised to provide water support operations to the 82nd Airborne Division’s Global Response Force.”