The grueling Iron Squad Ruck March in the early morning hours

Photo By Spc. Maximilian Weaver | Staff Sgt. Robert Brown, an infantryman with the 1st Armored Division, stretches after completing a 12-mile tactical foot march as part of the 1st Armored Division Iron Squad competition, April 19, 2022 in Fort Bliss, Texas. The tactical foot march is the first of several events within the competition that test each squad’s physical and mental resilience. The Best Iron Squad Competition is a four-day event designed to test each squad and individual competitor’s physical stamina, Warrior Tasks and Battle Drill skills and military knowledge. The winning squad will advance to compete in the III Corps Best Squad Competition later this year at Fort Hood. (U.S. Army photo by Pvt. Maximilian Weaver)  

FORT BLISS, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

04.19.2022

Courtesy Story

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

FORT BLISS, Texas- As the moon casts a dull light on the road during the early morning hours outside the 1st Armored Division Headquarters on Fort Bliss, Texas, Soldiers pack their rucks and stretch in the darkness getting ready to embark on the 12-mile tactical foot march designed to test their physical and mental toughness.

This was the first event during the four-day long Best Iron Squad Competition which kicked off at 4 a.m., April 19, 2022. The foot march consists of many challenges the squads must face, including navigating terrain at night, as well as maintaining an appropriate pace with a 35-pound rucksack all while operating with little sleep.

“What really motivated me during this march were my soldiers,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Brown, an Infantryman within the division, competing in the competition at Fort Bliss, “they really push themselves harder and harder and they don’t give up.”

While marching, seeing the Soldiers alongside him struggle, yet continue moving forward to complete the march made Brown proud to be a part of his unit.

“The most difficult variable in the march is how early we wake up,” said Brown. “Because we woke up so early, we were all tired and with little to no light it was very difficult to keep our footing.”

As the morning progressed and more Soldiers started crossing the finish line, Brown felt more and more prideful, watching soldiers struggling yet pulling through to complete the ruck march.

“It makes me really proud seeing all these Soldiers completing the march,” Brown said. “It shows how dedicated our soldiers are to be the best Soldiers they can be.”

After the foot march was complete, Brown described this as a good team building event that can bring Soldiers closer together through shared hardships.

Despite being put in a difficult situation, the squads work as a team to motivate each other to adapt and overcome challenges to complete the foot march in an effort to claim the title of Best Iron Squad.

• Date Taken: 04.19.2022
• Date Posted: 04.21.2022 12:12
• Story ID: 418910
• Location: FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US