Photo By Spc. Doniel Kennedy | The command team with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade...... read more read more
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FORT CARSON, Colo. – 4th Infantry Division service members participated in both Soldier-oriented and sports activities in unit-level competition to honor the division’s heritage and exemplify Ivy Spirit as part of Ivy Week 2024 at Fort Carson, Colorado, June 17-21.
Battalions battled through several different events over a three-day period with a break in the action Wednesday to honor Juneteenth and rest up for the championship games Thursday. The different events highlighted the individual mastery of Army tasks, and unit cohesion.
“The competitions that take place during Ivy Week bring that competitive edge, spirit and pride out of our Soldiers in a way that allows them to enjoy the activities they partake in outside of work, with their battle buddies,” said 1st Lt. Henry Hughes, the officer in charge of the Ivy Week football tournament.
Ivy Week culminated with a day filled with championship competitions, followed by an award ceremony where the winners from each event received Army Commendation Medals and the winning unit received the Commander’s Cup.
“With this being my last Ivy Week here at Carson, it hit a little different, finally being a part of the winning team,” said Sgt. Thetis Hardy, an information technology specialist assigned to 52nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and the captain of his battalion’s football team.
“Every game was emotional for us because every year prior, we’ve lost in the first round, so that taste of victory was sweet.”
Individual competitions included competitions that called upon the elite execution in strength movements like the Ivy Strong Competition where the top four winners in each event for both men and women earned points for their battalions.
“There’s not a lot of female powerlifters out there in our career field so it was super cool and empowering to get to compete alongside other women that shared this passion,” stated Cpt. Isabelle Stevens, a judge advocate assigned to Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division and one of the female winners of the Ivy Strong Competition.
“Weeks like this really reinstate and remind me of my reason for joining the Army, to be able to do what I love alongside individuals who are there to empower, uplift and push me to be all I can be.”
Additional team events included softball, basketball and flag football tournaments. Each of these tournaments were structured through bracket-style elimination, where Soldiers from across the installation battled it out against other unit teams.
“I think it’s great that we have Soldiers that come from different brigades who have never interacted with each other, and what brings them together are the things they love to do outside of work,” stated Hughes.
Soldiers who did not participate in each competition packed out every gym and field where events were taking place, hoisting their units' colors high and boosting the morale of their fellow comrades throughout their crowd support.
“Events like this are important for the troops because it allows them to truly feel like they are a part of something bigger, better and that brings everyone together to enjoy some good competition amongst our ranks,” said Maj. Eric Curry, deputy chief of operations for the 4th Infantry Division and the officer in charge for Ivy Week 2024.
The Ivy Division cultivates leaders who are innovative, capable of solving complex problems, and willing to take risks. They consistently adhere to standards and accomplish their missions, no matter the challenges they face. By broadening their understanding of the Army profession, these leaders ensure the division is prepared to handle the intricacies of today's battlefield.
Ivy Week is a time for all Mountain Post Soldiers to have pride in themselves, their units and leaders, and this year’s outcome exceeded the standard in every aspect.
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2024 14:26 |
| Story ID: | 474550 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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