Photo By Patricia Dubiel | Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Frank (left), commanding general, Joint Readiness Training...... read more read more
Mortarmen
Created in 2017, the Best Mortar Competition challenges the U.S Army’s most elite mortarmen through a series of physical and mental mortar specific tests to identify the best Soldiers. The competition tests the mortarmen’s expertise, stamina and determination as they navigate a three-day challenge with minimal sleep, food and support.
Out of the 60 teams that applied to compete, only the top 20 were selected. The 509th’s mortar team, consisting of Staff Sgt. Steven Oser, Spc. Orlando Iniguez, Spc. Dylan Tratton and Sgt. Antonio Hernandez, made the cut and won fifth place.
The competition began at 5 a.m. on the first day with the execution of the new Army Combat Fitness Test, then Soldiers moved on to test their proficiency in gunner tasks on the 81mm mortar system, the setup and declination of the M2 Aiming Circle, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Fire Direction Center tasks and night mortar firing point occupation.
Some of these events tested Soldiers at advanced skill levels, one of the more challenging aspects of the competition for Tratton.
“I went in as prepared as I could and gave it my best,” he said. “I trained up on everything, even beyond my skill level, but it was still challenging to take those tests.”
Oser said everyone on the team was working above their skill level, and that says something about the quality of unit training conducted at their home station.
“It shows we have strong leaders and set high standards for ourselves. It also shows that none of us accept mediocrity. We don’t just want to be better, we want to be the best and be recognized for being best, so we strive for that every day.”
The day ended with a two-mile ruck march that demanded an eight-minute mile pace while teams carried the 60mm and 81mm mortar systems.
Day two included a 3-mile trail run with rucks, an obstacle course and weapons qualification, and on the final day teams raced against each other in a timed mortar fire event.
“The obstacle course was a good team-building experience,” Hernandez said. “We made a great team effort, and it was the most fun of all the events.”
Iniguez said he would compete again. “I would definitely do it again if given the chance,” said Iniguez. “I’d work on the tasks I (had difficulty with), and physical fitness, because that is a big part of the competition.”
Oser credits his team for making the event unforgettable. “The most memorable part for me was having a team that was competitive enough to stare divisions in the face and let them know that we had a viable chance of winning,” Oser said. “It was great to be part of a team that was so well put together.”
Rangers
This year marked the 36th iteration of the Best Ranger competition. The event is held over two days and nights, testing the stamina, mental agility, tactical proficiency, physical fitness and sheer willpower of competitors. Events include rifle and pistol marksmanship, distance running, airborne operations, ruckmarches, weapons assembly, rope climbing, rappelling, military knots, obstacle course, grenade range, water confidence course, helocast and swim, buddy run, night and day land navigation, bayonet assault course, military tasks and Ranger skills tests — with no time allotted for sleep.
The Geronimo Team of 1t Lt. Morgan Ashmead and 1st Lt. Russell Mortinger participated in this year’s competition. Mortinger said the events weren’t hard, but the challenge was in getting through all of them.
“The hardest part for us was the litter carry. There is a certain technique to doing it that we didn’t train for,” he said. “The shooting events were a lot of fun, but the best part of the whole competition was being around all the top (athletes) from around the Army.”
Ashmead said he was most impressed by how well the event was organized.
“The event was well constructed, planned and organized,” he said. “The teams were ready to compete, and everything ran smoothly. Everyone was very professional.”
If he were to do it again, Ashmead said he would work on his rucking ability. “I would (toughen) my body a little more — spend more time on physical training,” he said.
Col. Jimmy Hathaway, 1st Bn (Abn), 509th Inf Reg battalion commander, said he couldn’t be more proud of how both teams performed.
“They trained up for this event while still performing their day to day operations. They were never placed on special duty just to train for the competition,” he said.
“They trained when they could and they did what they were supposed to do. The mortar team did as well as they did because they are truly the best mortar team. The Ranger team, same thing — they were told 60 days ago that they were confirmed to go to the competition. Most teams train for six, eight, 10 months just for the competition, and these guys had 60 days, while also doing their jobs out in the box. They were up against some of the best athletes in the world, and I am extremely proud of them.”
Col. David Gardner, commander of Operations Group, said he knew the teams would do well at Benning.
“It’s no surprise,” he said. “Everyone knows the quality of Geronimo Soldiers.”
All six Soldiers were presented coins from Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, commanding general, JRTC and Fort Polk, and Command Sgt. Maj. David. W. Bass, JRTC and Fort Polk command sergeant major, in recognition of their grit and dedication.
“You guys went down there and did exceptionally well,” Frank told the teams. “I’m very proud of you. The JRTC and Fort Polk could not be more proud of you.”
Frank also said that all units at Fort Polk are encouraged to participate in these and similar competitions. “We tell the (rotational units) that we are forging the Warrior Spirit here at JRTC and Fort Polk, and we see that through your example.”
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2019 15:34 |
| Story ID: | 319502 |
| Location: | FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Geronimos participate in Best Ranger, Best Mortar competitions, by Patricia Dubiel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
