Courtesy Photo | Soldiers of the 370th Transportation Company, 275th Combat Sustainment Support...... read more read more
By: Spc. Victor Nieves, Jr.
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – From burgers and steaks, to shrimp and lobster tails, soldiers from the 370th Transportation Company, 275th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 77th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, have more than enough to please their palate and satisfy their appetite.
As the days get longer and the sun gets hotter, morale boosters are a soldier’s greatest desire. The 370th Transportation Company hosts weekly cookouts, accompanied by a fair share of basketball games to help improve morale throughout the company.
“It is important to ensure the soldiers are physically and mentally fit,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ambros Montoya, the executive officer and operations officer in charge of the 370th Transportation Company, and a native of Albuquerque, N.M. “The Sunday cookouts and basketball games provide entertainment, exercise, stress relief as well as a little piece of home,” he said.
Every Sunday the headquarters platoon of the 370th Transportation Company sponsors a barbecue to gather the soldiers and give them a little taste of home, affording them the opportunity to relax from the troubles of deployment. Even though resources are limited, the 370th Transportation Company does everything possible to acquire meat, drinks, bread and charcoal to make these cookouts possible.
Soldiers look forward to the weekend barbecue, where they have the chance to escape from the grind of daily operations, as most of them are motor transport operators here.
At noon each Sunday, preparations for the day’s festivities commence. Spc. Victor Nieves Jr., an operations specialist with the 370th Transportation Company and a Edcouch, Texas, native, prepares the pit with charcoal. Sgt. 1st Class Jorge Camacho, a supply sergeant for the 370th Transportation Company, and a native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, prepares the meat by seasoning it.
The festivities would not be complete without music though.
“Music reminds everyone of their own cookouts at home, taking them to a state of relaxation”, said Spc. Nicholas Counelis, a supply clerk for the 370th Transportation Company, and a native of Harlingen, Texas, as he set up the sound system to provide a more upbeat atmosphere.
Around 2 p.m., all of the soldiers from headquarters platoon down to the maintenance platoon, gathered behind the 370th Tactical Operations Center, where a make-shift basketball court is set up.
The friendly competition of a basketball game offers soldiers a chance to relieve stress, while allowing them the opportunity to showcase their skills and talents.
This past Sunday, soldiers of the 591st Sapper Company from Fort Campbell, Ky., and the 34th Sapper Company from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, joined the friendly gathering. From privates to captains, everyone contributed and enjoyed entertaining games of basketball and a variety of delicious entrees.
“There is nothing better than food right off the grill,” said Spc. Julio Ramos, a native of Brownsville, Texas, and the armorer for the 370th Transportation Company.
As the day’s activities draw to a close, a quick clean-up is conducted and it’s back to work for the soldiers of the 370th Transportation Company, but with their morale being uplifted from a day of relaxation, food and fun.
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2011 02:26 |
| Story ID: | 71602 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 459 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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