Photo By Staff Sgt. Felicia Jagdatt | Capt. Jeremy Jones, commander, Company B, 123rd Brigade Support Battalion, feeds Pvt....... read more read more
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Pvt. Tank Chester is the newest addition to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division succeeding Staff Sgt. Cody Chester as the brigade’s morale noncommissioned officer.
On June 25, 2018, Staff Sgt. Cody Chester, the outgoing mascot, was promoted to sergeant first class and formally retired. Chester was given a ceremony to honor his great work in lifting the morale of the Bulldog Brigade for three years and ensuring his brothers and sisters in arms remained comfortable and happy.
Tank was purchased at eight weeks and nine lb. on Feb. 15 from a reputable breeder in El Paso who was once a member of the Bulldog Brigade himself.
“Tank immediately stood out from his kennel when we met him,” said Spc. Michael Duncan, command sergeant major’s driver and brigade dog handler, 3 ABCT, 1 AD. “He tried to jump right out of the vehicle at command sergeant major. He, then, ran around chasing bugs, followed me around, and squeezed into the smallest spot to ensure he ate. His personality, his color, and his immediate attraction to command sergeant major and myself was what earned him a spot in the brigade.”
Tank then had to prove his ability to fill the big paws as brigade mascot by undergoing four months of “basic training” where he followed Cody around, attended physical training, stopped by medical facilities, and attended training events.
Within those four months, he gained 21 lb. ensuring that he was meeting all Army Body Composition standards as well as remaining a healthy, growing bulldog.
“Tank is settling in great as far as being a mascot goes,” said Duncan. “He’s extremely friendly, especially to kids, and everyone here seems to love him. He’s beautiful, lovable and, so far, very good at boosting morale.”
Tank was named in honor of the armored brigade and “it’s a fitting name for him because he ran into a lot of things and smacked his head around like a big tank,” said Duncan. “My favorite thing about him is how goofy he is. He’s always running into walls and jumping at thin air. He has such a big dog mentality in such a little body.”
Duncan also trained Tank’s predecessor, Cody, and trains Tank in the same manner.
“I use Vienna sausages, hand signals, and a lot of patience,” said Duncan adding the emphasis on patience.”
“Tank’s favorite snack is the Beggin’ Bacon Strips, especially from command sergeant major’s office,” said Duncan. Command Sgt. Maj. Michael L. Oliver, command sergeant major, 3 ABCT, 1 AD has a bed and eating area sectioned off in his office for Tank.
Although Tank has a few extra perks, he is treated as a Soldier first. A fit and ready bulldog adds to a fit and ready Bulldog Brigade, which is a top priority across the Army.
| Date Taken: | 07.30.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.31.2018 17:41 |
| Story ID: | 286608 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 90 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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