Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Micah Merrill | Soldiers from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division navigate the...... read more read more
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Throughout the years, the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Raiders,” 4th Infantry Division, have celebrated their heritage through a week-long event filled with competitions, ceremonies and demonstrations. This past week, the 1st SBCT commemorated its 102nd anniversary since its establishment in 1917 during World War I.
“102 years — every major campaign, every major war, every major battle — this brigade has been called upon,” said Col. Ike Sallee, commander, 1st SBCT, at the commencement of the annual event. “We look at those people with reverence, and we look at those veterans and the things they have done with a great deal of respect. Ten, 20, 30 years from now, the people who follow in our footsteps will be looking back at all of you with reverence.”
The celebration kicked-off early Monday morning with teams tackling their first events of the week on Fort Carson. Soldiers, Families, friends and veterans shouted and cheered them on as the first rays of sunrise broke across the horizon.
“Over half the brigade participated in the competitions,” Sallee said.
For the first three days, company and battalion teams competed in a variety of sporting, tactical and fighting events to see who would rise above their peers from across the brigade. Despite field exercises and other training, the competitions, which included activities such as combatives, a ruck march, a terrain run, a combat water survival relay, and a team stress shoot, required consistent preparation by both individuals and the teams.
“I love to be a Soldier,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Delfin Romani, senior enlisted leader, 1st SBCT. “I love to be out there ruck marching, and I could see it in your faces as you climbed ‘Agony Hill.’”
Combined, roughly 400 competitors covered more than 4,800 miles during the ruck march. Dozens of troops also stepped into the combatives arena during the week demonstrating excellence and pride.
Part of this week was also about demonstrating readiness and the meaning of being fit to fight, Romani said.
“We owe it to America,” he said.
Of the several awards presented, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st SBCT, ultimately distinguished itself as one of the top performers, claiming the trophy for the “communicate” portion of the competition.
This portion required not only careful coordination, but also communication and included: the Army Combat Fitness Test, obstacle course, combat water survival swim and two-mile stretcher run. Held at varying times and locations across Fort Carson, each squad was graded based on a point system as it competed against the clock for the overall fastest time.
At the conclusion of the week an awards ceremony was held, recognizing the competitors who had distinguished themselves. Several civilians who have had significant impact on the brigade were also recognized and inducted as honorary Raiders.
“For most competitions the objective of the competition is to find who are the champions,” Sallee said. “When we see every single one of you — you are the best. You do what 99 percent of people will not do or cannot do.”
As the ceremony came to a close, the Soldiers were reminded the week was more than a competition. It is also a solemn reminder of their willingness to answer our nation’s call and their obligation to be ready.
“Every single one of you is a champion,” Sallee said.
| Date Taken: | 12.02.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 01.28.2020 12:28 |
| Story ID: | 357892 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Hometown: | COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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