15th SB battalions battle for Commander's Cup

Photo By Staff Sgt. Matthew Cooley | Spc. Sheena Bolden, 664th Ordnance Company, 180th Transportation Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade starts the last leg of the female 440 meters relay during the 15th SB Commander's Cup competition at Hood Stadium, Oct. 9, 2008.  

FORT HOOD, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

10.14.2008

Story by Sgt. Matthew Cooley 

15th Sustainment Brigade

By Sgt. Matthew C. Cooley
15th Sustainment Brigade

FORT HOOD, Texas – The competitor's muscles tensed in the starting blocks at the command to "get ready." Their focus and determination clearly showed in their steady gazes. Each prepared to explode into action, intent on being the first to break the tape stretched before them in the distance.

This was not a scene at the summer's Olympic games, but to the 200 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Soldiers competing in the 15th Sustainment Brigade's quarterly Commander's Cup games, it was an important event.

15th Special Troops Battalion, 15th SB won in overall points in a mostly track and field competition for the Commander's Cup trophy against 15th SB's 180th and 49th Transportation Battalions at Hood Stadium, Oct. 9, 2008.

The ever-changing Commander's Cup competition pits the Soldiers of each battalion against one another in a series of varied sporting events to win individual medals and the coveted golden cup for their battalion.

This time, the events were softball, horseshoes, discus, shot put, long jump, tug-of-war, 50 meters sprint, 100 meters sprint, 440 meters relay, and 880 meters relay.

"It's for fun, but it's competitive fun," commented Sgt. Maj. Oliver Chisholm, 15th SB's schools and training sergeant major.

"Every battalion commander and command sergeant major wants to walk away with the trophy."

And they weren't shy about telling people just that.

"I got a feeling the Road Masters are going to take it overall," Command Sgt. Maj. Ricky Knox, 49th Trans said.

"We're going to win because we're King of the Road. We're fired up!" exclaimed Lt. Col. Mark Paget.

"You know good and well STB is going to win because we got 'it,'" explained 1st Sgt. Jeanette Short, 15th STB Headquarters and Headquarters Company first sergeant.

The competing Soldiers gave it their all for their respective battalions, some even won medals in multiple events.

"We never stop," Staff Sgt. Teelia Gooden, 49th Trans' master fitness trainer said, quoting her battalion's motto. The Paterson, N.J. native won medals in the female 50 meters sprint, 440 meters relay, 880 meters relay, and long jump after completing a physical fitness test earlier that morning.

15th's next Commander's Cup competition is scheduled to include basketball, bowling, swimming, flag football, and soccer. Family and friends are welcome as spectators to the events.

• Date Taken: 10.14.2008
• Date Posted: 10.14.2008 11:15
• Story ID: 24961
• Location: FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US