FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Nine Soldiers entered. Only one will prevail.
This challenge does not involve weapons, land navigation, speed or agility. These Soldiers need to bring their "A-game" on stage and under the lights.
Fort Eustis is hosting Operation Rising Star, an Army-wide competition to name the best singing talent in the Army. The contest is an elimination-style competition, similar to popular television shows "American Idol" and "The Voice."
Participants, comprised of active-duty, reserve and National Guard Soldiers and their adult family members, perform before a panel of judges and a live audience, who score the performers and vote for their favorites each week.
This year's judges include Lt. Col. Stephen Ledbetter, the 53rd Transportation Battalion commander, Sgt. Maj. James Coleman, the 53rd Trans. Bn. command sergeant major, and Sheri Reese, a current Training and Doctrine Command employee and former disc jockey.
The Fort Eustis leg of ORS, held at the Lakeside Sports Bar, runs through Oct. 28, when the final round will determine which performer moves on to the national competition in San Antonio, Texas.
In addition to qualifying for the Army-wide finals, the winner of the contest will receive $500. Second and third place runners-up receive $250 and $100, respectively.
Fort Eustis' competition boasts Soldiers from various units across the post, encompassing several music genres, from country to rock and R&B.
Spc. Reuben Eldridge, a motor transport operator assigned to the 688th Rapid Port Opening Element, brings his southern twang to the contest. However, he said he can do more than belt out country tunes.
"I can adapt to a lot of different styles of music, really expand my repertoire," he said. "I've enjoyed being a part of it. It's fun getting the crowd into the performance."
Eldridge said he first learned about ORS while in basic training, and has been waiting to get the opportunity to showcase his singing skills, which he thinks will take him to the top.
"I expect to take it to the top two for sure," the specialist said, flashing a clever smile. "If I win, it won't be as much of a surprise as an accomplishment."
But making the cut to get to the finals will be difficult in the crowd of talent vying for the top honor. Spc. Aleeta Darland thinks her impressive range will help her wow the crowd and earn the crown.
"At first I wasn't going to do it, but people kept telling me 'you gotta do it, you gotta do it,'" said Darland, a multichannel transmission systems operator from the 235th Signal Company. Having been singing since she was 11, including time in choir, she said she brings a lot to the table.
"I think doing all sorts of genres really shows your versatility as an artist, and that's what judges are looking for," she said. "I think that's what will help me. I didn't come here to place second or third."
While the singers bring their fiery resolve to the stage for their performances, they maintain that regardless of the outcome, everyone is in it to have fun.
"I don't know what my chances are, so I'll just go with the flow and see where it takes me," said Pfc. Ashton VanRoekel, a watercraft operator with the 1098th Transportation Company. "It doesn't affect me if I get voted out or if I win. There [are] a lot of great people involved, and we're just having a great time."