Photo By Spc. Anthony Zane | Spc. Cory N. Penven (left), a cavalry scout of the 1st Cavalry Division from Fort...... read more read more
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COB ADDER, Iraq – In the early morning, before the sun hits the sand, six soldiers gather to test their warrior skills and Army knowledge in preparation for a day of fierce competition.
Contingency Operating Base Adder held the quarterly “Arrowhead Stakes” competition, July 1, and a chance for participating soldiers to earn the prestigious titles of Warrior of the Quarter and Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter.
The Arrowhead Stakes competition is a chance for soldiers to test their limits, said 36th Infantry Division and U.S. Division-South Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson L. Early, president of the Arrowhead NCO of the Quarter board.
The competition consists of a physical performance test and an oral board appearance where candidates are questioned on their Army knowledge. Each candidate is required to submit a personal information packet, including a copy of an up-to-date enlisted record brief, a current Army physical fitness test and a one-page biography.
“These competitions are very good to show your basic skills as a soldier,” said Spc. Antoine Mitchell, a human resource specialist of the 4th Sustainment Brigade from Fort Hood, Texas.
“They keep you mentally and physically tough and prepared for anything that could happen on the battlefield. I take pride in this competition since it gives me the opportunity to show myself, because as a 42A [Human Resource Specialist] we don’t get that many opportunities to get to the field and test our skills,” Mitchell said.
The day begins with a timed Army physical fitness test where soldiers push their limits performing sit-ups and push-ups in two-minute increments and a two-mile run. The next events include a road march, a medical treatment evaluation and shooting competition at the firing range.
“It is a good competition for all of us because it isn’t just a board,” said Spc. Cory N. Penven, a cavalry scout of the 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood. “It is a good course with a lot of hands-on parts, which makes it a lot more challenging, added the San Antonio native.
Entering the competition with a positive attitude, a respect for competing, and giving 100 percent is important to Mitchell.
“I take pride in everything I do,” said Mitchell. “I don’t like to do anything half-way. I give all or nothing.”
According to Arrowhead guidelines, once the physical section of the competition is complete, candidates appear before the board to be assessed on their knowledge of warrior tasks and drills, and any subject matter areas found in the U.S. Army Board study guide.
For this competition you have to study a lot, come prepared, and always give 110 percent if you want to make it, said Penven, the winner of the competition’s Warrior of the Quarter. At times you want to give up, but you can’t allow yourself to; just keep going, he added.
Hard work and aggressive studying also paid off for Cpl. David Nagle, combat medic, 1st Cav. Div., winner of this quarter’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter.
Nagle is a very high-speed Soldier, according to his sponsor Sgt. Kristopher R. Evans, who helped Nagle prepare for the competition for the last month. He is known for helping other soldiers get into shape and is studying to one day become a personal trainer, said Evans.
He has been a huge support for soldiers in his unit, Evans added.
Nagle’s advice to future candidates of the Arrowhead Stakes competition: “Don’t listen to the voice in your head that tries to tell you to give up. Just push on and go for it.”
| Date Taken: | 07.01.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.05.2011 04:20 |
| Story ID: | 73229 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 98 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Contending for the title: Soldiers compete in Arrowhead Stakes competition, by SPC Anthony Zane, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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