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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - For the first time in three years a new champion emerged from the 2012 Rigger Rodeo. The week-long competition was held Sept. 17-21, 2012, at Fort Bragg, N.C., with eight teams from throughout the United States and Europe competing for the title of best rigger company in the Army.
The competition began with a four-mile "Red Hat Run" and ended with the Rigger Ball. The riggers were scored based on their time and quality of work.
"They are graded on rigger and soldier skills," said 1st Lt. Shane Covert, rigger rodeo operations officer. "New to this year is they're also assessed on their jumpmaster skills."
About 20 events stood between the five-to-six-man rigger teams and victory. Some of the more rigorous events included packing a G-12E cargo parachute, repairing a suspension line, sewing a canopy, land navigation and evaluating a casualty.
Land navigation was one of the more difficult events of the competition, said Spc. John Sepulveda, a parachute rigger from Company E, 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
"There were a couple of rivers on the land navigation course," said Sepulveda. "It was probably one of the hardest parts of the land navigation event. At one time, I fell into the river and never touched bottom, but my teammates were right there to fetch me out."
But no matter how hard the event got, many of the rigger teams continued to push themselves.
"Rigger Rodeo instills pride in the riggers," said Staff Sgt. Antonio Anthony, Sepulveda's team leader. "They hold this event every year, and we've won for the past three years in a row. So we've got to win this one, too."
Many of the parachute riggers competed within their own companies to gain a spot to take part in the Rodeo. Spc. Elena Rooney was selected on Anthony's team after competing in the rigger of the year board at Fort Benning, Ga., to represent her company.
"We had a competition called Rigger of the Year to see who was the best in our unit," said Rooney. "The top four got a slot on the first team, and anyone after that got put on the second team because we have two teams here."
Once selected, the Fort Benning teams conducted nine weeks of intense training to get ready for Rigger Rodeo, said Rooney.
"Land navigation has definitely been very difficult because there is a lot of brush and no trails at all," said Rooney. "We also had rucks during the course, and it was tiring because we didn't train with the rucks. But I'm glad I came because this has been a good experience."
Most of the competitors, like Rooney, were first-time competitors at the Rodeo.
"I haven't been on any of the previous teams that have won," said Rooney."This is my first Rigger Rodeo. But we're hoping for the fourth win in a row. We're going to try our best."
Rooney's team eventually earned third place with 83.85 points out of a total 100 points, following 824th Quartermaster Company in second. The distinction of being the best rigger company in the Army went to 623rd Quartermaster Company, taking first place. Both the 824th Quartermaster Company and 623rd Quartermaster Company are out of Fort Bragg, N.C.
When the competition comes to an end, being a rigger is still a great job to have.
"Having the opportunity to be involved deeply within the airborne community and to support all paratroopers," said Covert. "But also the opportunity of jumping is something that I personally love about being a rigger."
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.17.2012 10:29 |
| Story ID: | 96297 |
| Location: | FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 513 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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