Photo By Spc. David McCarthy | Command teams compete in the Leader’s Challenge held at Gruber Field, Nov. 17.... read more read more
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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - “Provider Week” kicked off Nov. 15, with a brigade-wide run led by 82nd Sustainment Brigade commander Col. Chris Sharpsten. The brigade’s units built unit cohesion as well as esprit de corps through many different sporting events and competitions.
Command teams competed for the “Commander’s Cup.” “The Commander’s Cup is the goal,” said 82nd Special Troops Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Vallade, Taylor, Mich., native. “All of the teams have their points tallied at the end of the week and whoever has the most points wins,” he said.
The competition for the Commander’s Cup helped build camaraderie amongst the battalions and soldier teams. “We’re trying to boost morale,” said Spc. Gary James, Cape Coral, Fla., native. “I think that’s what a lot of people take away from this week, a chance to meet other people in different units and have fun while doing it,” he said.
The brigade hosted sporting and family-oriented events during Provider Week. The brigade’s golf scramble consisted of thirty four-man teams competing against each other, allowing junior enlisted soldiers and officers to meet their seniors in a relaxed environment. “The golf scramble is a time to let your hair down,” said Vallade. “All the junior officers and junior enlisted get to golf with the senior officers and enlisted, so it’s a chance for them to get to know their leadership,” he said.
The week culminated with the formal, “Provider Ball.” Special guest speaker Brig. Gen. John R. O’Connor, FORSCOM supply officer, spoke about the significance of sustainment units within the Army. He also praised the 82nd Sustainment Brigade for their garrison and deployment operations.
O’Connor and Sharpsten personally awarded the Ancient Order of St. Christopher to Lt. Col. Alfredo M. Versoza, former commander of the 7th Transportation Battalion, and Command Sgt. Maj. Bernard Smalls, former senior enlisted adviser of the 7th Transportation Battalion at the ball. The brigade’s 7th Transportation Battalion was recently inactivated this year.
The St. Christopher award is given to those few individuals whose careers embody outstanding effort, leadership and sacrifice in the Transportation Corps.
“This week embodied the whole Brigade, everybody,” said Vallade. “From the cooks to the motor pool personnel, this week helped bring the soldiers together. We built unit cohesion and camaraderie, and we all had a little fun while recognizing who we are as a sustainment brigade,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.28.2011 11:51 |
| Story ID: | 80618 |
| Location: | FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 121 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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