Photo By Ismael Ortega | Soldiers assigned to 1st Armored Division execute a 12-mile ruck as part of the 2016...... read more read more
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Fourteen six-man teams took part in this year’s competition with events testing both their physical and mental limits, tactical competence, fundamentals of reconnaissance and security operations.
“The events that we executed during the Iron Scout Competition are all the events that you’d expect to have a 19D scout squad to be capable of doing,” said Lt. Col. Mark H. Hoovestol, commander, 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment.
“Everything from calling artillery fire to conducting land navigation, a reconnaissance and security lane, a physical fitness evaluation amongst other things.”
Iron Scout started with the Validus Discipulus, a physical fitness test that included pushups, sit-ups, pull-ups, dips, a 100-yard Humvee push, litter drag, twin 5-gallon carry topped off with a dead sprint. Next was a five-mile run to the next event, a stress shoot with no time to rest from the run. After engaging the targets, the Soldiers’ adaptability was tested with weapon systems, fire missions, vehicle identification test and evacuation drills. The day ended with an obstacle course timed for score.
Day two began at dawn with day land navigation. Scouts had three hours to compete, with the fastest teams finishing within the hour. The day continued with night land navigation and a reconnaissance mission lasting until the morning.
The last event was a 12-mile ruck march with a minimum of 35 pounds in a rucksack to the Ready First field. As “I Wanna Be In The Cavalry” played in the background, the squads trickled in, concluding the Iron Scout Competition.
“The most challenging part (of the competition) would be the physical area, regardless of how much you train of what you think you’re mentally prepared for,” said Sgt. Jaime Feliciert, competitor, 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment. “Once you hit the terrain it’s different, different aspect, different challenges.”
Hoovestol said the competition is important because it accomplished a number a goals: one, building a competitive nature amongst the Soldiers; two, the events showed a direct correlations to their scout skills; three, preparing the scouts for the Gainey Cup; and four, meeting the commanding general’s priorities of tough and realistic training.
The winners of the Iron Scout competition were announced Wednesday during an award ceremony at the Torch Room, Division Headquarters building.
“Every single team from across the division gave it their all over these last three days,” Hoovestol said. “They really put their heart and soul into fielding a great team and putting everything they had and leaving it all out in the field. I just want to congratulate all the teams that performed.”
| Date Taken: | 03.24.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.25.2016 19:07 |
| Story ID: | 193573 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 306 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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