Photo By Pfc. Jonathan Reyes | Soldiers assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, XVIII...... read more read more
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Fort Carson, Colo. - The best squads from across the U.S. Army Forces Command competed for the title of FORSCOM's Best Squad, August 12-16, 2024, at Fort Carson, Colorado.
The winning team representing FORSCOM in the Army-level competition from September 29 to October 10 at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, will be the 27th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineers Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps.
Eight teams, composed of a squad leader and four team members representing the most lethal squads from FORSCOM, converged on the Colorado Springs area for a physically and mentally demanding competition.
The Army Squad is a fundamental unit in military organization, with a history that reflects its evolving role on the battlefield. Originating in ancient military formations, the concept of a small, cohesive fighting unit has been integral to warfare for centuries. The formalization of the Squad as an Army unit became more pronounced in the early modern period with the rise of linear warfare and professional standing armies.
In modern military operations, a Squad is a small unit led by a non-commissioned officer that allows for detailed coordination and specialized roles. Squads are essential for modern combat operations. Their importance lies in their ability to independently execute tactical missions and adapt to dynamic battlefield conditions, demonstrating the enduring value of the squad's effective military strategy.
The Best Squad competition promotes esprit de corps and recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to Army Values and embody the Warrior Ethos.
"Our goals are to start strong, finish strong, and keep the same motivation the whole time and push ourselves past the mental barriers we think we may have," said Staff Sgt. Trevor Smolinski, squad leader for team 1 representing 21st Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, I Corps. "We've been with each other for six months, and we know how each other trains and operates, we know each other's strengths and weaknesses, and we know how to push each other."
The competition officially started on Wednesday, August 14, at Colorado Springs's famed Garden of the Gods park.
As the sun rose over Colorado Springs's front range, the teams traversed the 3.35-mile trails around the natural rock formations before returning to the starting point to complete a CrossFit-style workout.
From there, the teams returned to Fort Carson to complete a combat-focused Expert Physical Fitness Assessment (EPFA) at Iron Horse Park. The contestants completed six events, including a one-mile run, dead-stop push-ups, a sandbag lift, and a 50-meter water can carry.
After completing the EPFA, teams moved on to Fort Carson's Mabry Mile, a one-mile obstacle course consisting of 11 challenges from rolling logs, rope climbing, and traversing over high walls as a team.
Next, teams went to range 127 for a lethality test. The test required coordination and communication for squads to complete. The lethality test consisted of firing at targets from support and unstable positions with an M4A1 carbine rifle, clearing and defending a defensive position while calling for a medical evacuation, and finally dragging a sked litter 390 meters uphill.
The highlight of the competition came from the lethal test at Range 7A. Explicitly designed to challenge competitors by simulating real-world battle conditions, the course required teams to complete it in five minutes. It involved high crawling through a sandpit, maneuvering under barbed wire, and crossing a three-foot-deep water-filled trench while firing at targets and moving and communicating as a team.
Pfc. Austin Comstock, Infantryman, 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, Joint Readiness Training Center Operations Group, said that the lethal range pushed them to compete harder than they had through the previous events; it challenged them and allowed them to utilize their warrior tasks and battle drills.
Once the competitors completed the lethal range, they rucked 15 miles through the natural terrain of Fort Carson's ranges before being transported to the Red Devil training area to set up patrol bases for the night.
At the end of the first day, Spc. Michael Bahney, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said his team's goal was to stay confident and motivated and make it through day two.
Squads spent the night taking turns setting up and patrolling operation bases while other squads completed Expert Infantry, Soldier, and Field Medical lanes throughout the night.
Day two of the competition pushed the teams to compete harder than before. The teams had to run through multiple objectives, from ambushing tactical positions in hidden locations to navigating ravines and cliffs to neutralize a simulated enemy threat.
Command Sgt. Maj. TJ Holland, FORSCOM command sergeant major, spoke with teams in the field about maintaining morale. He emphasized the importance of looking after each other and treating every scenario as a real-life mission.
On the last day of the competition, the competitors were tested on their knowledge of Army regulations and presented themselves as a team at a board review.
At the awards banquet held on the last day of the competition, Spc. Felix J. Vazquez, an infantryman assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, III Armored Corps, was named FORSCOM's Soldier of the Year and Staff Sgt. Jaired D. Brooks, a Horizontal Construction Engineer assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineers Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, was named FORSCOM's Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.
In this ultimate test of strength, strategy, and spirit, the 27th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineers Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps emerged as the top squad, earning FORSCOM's Best Squad. Their victory is a testament to their dedication, preparation, and the bond they share as a unit. As they prepare to represent FORSCOM at the Army-level competition, they carry forward a legacy of excellence and a high standard of performance set by their peers.
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| Date Taken: | 08.16.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.20.2024 10:16 |
| Story ID: | 478889 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 221 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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