Arctic Excellence Award Tests Companies’ Deployment Readiness

Photo By Capt. Richard Packer | U.S. Army Alaska Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Mark O’Neil returns a salute to a formation of Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division during the Arctic Excellence streamer award ceremony January 16, 2018 at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The streamer will now be awarded quarterly to the company in USARAK with the highest overall scores in categories related to Army combat readiness. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Richard Packer)  

AK, UNITED STATES

01.16.2018

Story by Staff Sgt. Sean Brady 

United States Army Alaska

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska -- It was a proud day for the Soldiers of U.S. Army Alaska’s Charger Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, as they were awarded the first and only Arctic Excellence streamer to adorn their guidon, January 16, 2018.

This prestigious streamer will now be awarded quarterly to the company in USARAK with the highest overall composite score in categories directly related to Army combat readiness: physical training, medical readiness, marksmanship and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention training. These four pillars are the fundamental measurement of any unit’s overall readiness to deploy, fight and win, but the recognition must be re-earned each quarter.

“This streamer is not permanent. It must be repeatedly earned if you want to keep it,” said USARAK’s commander, Maj. Gen. Mark O’Neil. “That will require continued leadership at every level and the full participation and the passion of each and every member of this team.”

The Arctic Excellence streamer represents a new initiative that challenges all U.S. Army Alaska units to maximize the readiness of each Soldier. The award is a testament to teamwork, esprit de corps and, most importantly, the readiness of USARAK companies to perform their assigned mission. Charger Company is the first recipient of the award and their commander remains confident that this is just the first of many.

“It’s an honor to be the first company to win the streamer. We’ll continue to push forward and achieve the same thing next quarter,” said Charger Company’s commander, Capt. Brian Slamkowski.

In the harsh Alaskan climate, Soldiers face the unique challenges of training and working in arctic conditions, and must learn to adapt and overcome these challenges to ensure that they are fit to fight. The Arctic Excellence award is more than just a testament to hard work and dedication of Charger Company’s leadership and Soldiers, it is a recognition of excellence, adaptability and readiness, despite the inherent challenges of being a Soldier in Alaska, and the arctic toughness these Soldiers possess.

USARAK’s commander praised the Soldiers of Charger Company and acknowledged these unique challenges while concluding his ceremony remarks.

“In a world where instability continues to accelerate, it is incumbent on all of us to be singularly focused on becoming the most adaptive, lethal fighting formations possible,” said O’Neil. “You are the lead company in this great organization on that road. Continue to lead. You are Arctic Warriors! You are Arctic Tough!”

• Date Taken: 01.16.2018
• Date Posted: 01.17.2018 14:04
• Story ID: 262329
• Location: AK, US