Courtesy Photo | (Center left) Runner number 139 Cpl. Scott Bieri, a native of Danville, Ind., is a...... read more read more
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By Spc. Marcus Johnson
316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Cpl. Scott Bieri, a native of Danville, Ind., is a maintenance technician for Company F, 151st Infantry, 168th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade. He works days, while Cpl. Robert Strebe, a native of Laporte, Ind., and a vehicle commander for Co. F, 151st Inf., works nights. This difference in schedule would normally prevent them from being friends; however, the two do have a lot in common; they both are corporals and they both love to run.
Before Company F, 151st Inf., deployed in May 2007, both Strebe and Bieri worked together in the supply section as specialists, assisting the company supply sergeant in inventories, showdown inspections, and a dozen other different tasks necessary to prepare the unit for their deployment.
During the mobilization process at Fort Dix, N.J., Strebe was transferred to a line platoon and assigned to a vehicle commander position. "We had different duties and different hours," said Bieri, "but we still found time to run."
As it turned out, it was time well spent. Bieri had failed a diagnostic Army Physical Fitness Test in June 2007. In order to improve his score, both Bieri and Strebe developed a workout program that not only resulted in marked improvement, but also drew the attention of their unit leadership.
Impressed with the initiative and leadership potential of both Soldiers, Capt. Steven Bell, company commander for Co. F, 151st Inf., promoted both of them to the rank of Corporal.
After a couple of months in Iraq, Bieri and Strebe discovered that Victory Base Complex sponsors monthly competitive runs.
"These races are very popular," Strebe said, "Often times, there are as many as four to five hundred people participating in one race." The two are a regular turnout at almost every event, provided mission requirements allow them to participate.
Strebe is currently in Kuwait, assisting in the training of the unit that is set to replace Co. F, 151st Inf., in late April. However, Bieri has no intention of neglecting a good tradition. On March 30, another Fun Run is scheduled for Victory Base, and Bieri is making plans to attend.
| Date Taken: | 03.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.28.2008 17:47 |
| Story ID: | 17881 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 544 |
| Downloads: | 480 |
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