Photo By Sgt. Richard Mohr | U.S. Army Soldiers from 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, fire an...... read more read more
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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI- Leaders from across 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division tested their strength and stamina during the 25th CAB’s Mungadai challenge, Jul. 17-18 across the island of Oahu. Company command teams, battalion command teams, and the brigade command team all suited up in full “battle rattle” for the two-day event.
"The Mungadai"
The origins of the term “Mungadai” are traced back to Genghis Khan, who used a series of rigorous physical challenges to identify his most elite warriors from the rest. Only those who survived the intense training regimen earned the privilege of joining the vanguard, the Mongol leader's most trusted and formidable fighting force.
Today, armies worldwide adopt the Mungadai tradition as a rite of passage, designed to foster camaraderie and test the mettle of their soldiers. While the specific events and duration may vary between units, they all reflect the commander's vision and values. Lead exercise planner Capt. Joshua C. Friedrich felt that the historical connection between Khan’s Mungadai and the CAB Mungadai was important, saying “We often times go about training in the military with little to no concern for the historical imperative…it’s vital that we look back upon what Genghis Khan put his warriors through and recognize how vital the test was to him when it came to seeing what his leaders were made of. It’s the same story here, command teams are being pushed to their limits and put to the test in front of their peers and leaders, it’s a showing of the best that the 25th CAB has to offer”.
Tactical Beginnings
The operation began as participants set off on a six-mile ruck march, heading towards the weapons qualification range where their first event awaited them. Upon arrival, they were greeted with a stress shoot exercise, engaging pop-up targets with their M17 and M4 weapons after being physically exercised to great lengths. Each Soldier fired their allotted rounds, demonstrating accuracy and composure under pressure. Among the shooters was 1st Sgt. Malcolm L Goode, the senior enlisted leader of Charlie Company, 209th Aviation Support Battalion. Goode had no problem putting lead on target time and time again, saying “it’s just another day in the greatest Army in the world. Stressed or not stressed, it’s our job as leaders to demonstrate that you must be able to perform under any circumstances, because that’s what combat is. It’s an unpredictable and unforgiving environment”. With the stress shoot completed, the operation shifted to the air movement phase.
Rucking and Well Deserved Rest
Personnel were swiftly airlifted from Schofield Barracks to a landing zone near Kaʻena Point, Hawaii. After the airlift, Soldiers conducted another ruck march, this time from the landing zone to their designated campsites nearby in a picturesque spot near the ocean. The movement was carried out in an orderly fashion, and soon after arriving, the participants bedded down for a night of rest underneath the stars.
Day 2 Begins
In the morning, the troops moved on foot to meet ground vehicles, which then transported them to a breakfast with the unit chaplain and then back to Schofield Barracks for a Museum discussion. At the Tropic Lightning Museum, participants attended an informative class on the history of the 25th CAB, presented by the museum’s education and training technician, Joshua Bailey. After the briefing, they explored the museum, gaining further insights into their unit's storied past.
Historic Reflection
The mission then continued across the island with a visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Here, participants toured the Arizona Memorial and adjacent exhibits, reflecting on the historical significance of the site. The official tour provided a somber and educational experience, deepening the participant’s appreciation for military history. The day wrapped up with a movement from Pearl Harbor to a local eatery, where the participants gathered for some very well-deserved drinks, dinner, stories, and laughs.
The 25th CAB’s Mungadai challenge was not merely a test of physical endurance but a powerful exercise in leadership and historical reflection. By tracing their steps back to the rigorous traditions of Genghis Khan’s elite warriors, the participants honored a legacy of resilience and fortitude. Col. Matthew J. Sher, Commander of the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade was alongside the participants every step of the way and felt deep satisfaction towards the way the event turned out. Lamenting on its success, Sher said “Our CAB’s Mungadai was intended to do three things. Build team cohesion amongst our CAB leadership through shared hardship. Better understand our culture and shared vision for that culture by learning about our past and integrating that into discussions about our future. And gain better understanding for the challenges that our ground force faces in the jungles and tropical environments so that we can better assist them in the future. We accomplished that intent, learned about ourselves and forged stronger bonds along the way”. The event fostered a deep sense of camaraderie and professional growth among the leaders of the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, reinforcing their unity and readiness for future challenges. As they concluded the event with reflection and camaraderie, the participants exemplified the strength and spirit of the brigade, ready to carry forward the proud traditions of their unit.
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 07.26.2024 15:08 |
| Story ID: | 477072 |
| Location: | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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