FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
U.S. Army Soldiers from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) competed in the Resolute Warrior Challenge at Fort Eustis, May 30.
Twenty teams of Soldiers were tested on warrior training tasks, which included land navigation, assembling and disassembling weapons and functions checks, and topics relating to the unit and leader certification. The challenge also included competition events, including an obstacle course, a canoe event and a litter-carry race.
The three-person teams from each company in the brigade competed in the challenge not only as a way to build morale and esprit de corps, but also to earn the title of best in the brigade, said U.S. Army Col. Randal Nelson, 7th Trans. Bde. (Ex) commander, who addressed the Soldiers at the beginning of the competition.
"These events are going to be physically and mentally demanding," said Nelson. "Cheer each other on, keep each other motivated, and may the best battalion win."
The litter-carry portion was the final event of the challenge, and started from the base of 3rd Port, where teams had to run over a bridge that led into the woods. With the terrain uneven and narrow, many teams found making the last leg of the challenge the most difficult.
"The toughest event for me was the litter-carry race, because we had to carry for a mile and a half," said 2nd Lt. Matt Hutto, executive officer, 99th Trans. Det., 53rd Trans. Battalion. "I had a great time [competing], and [the experience] was a lot of fun."
The winning team included Capt. Thomas Maddux, 1st Lt. Mark Hanabury, and Sgt. Christopher Esqueda, from 544th Dive Detachment, 53rd Trans. Battalion., 7th Trans. Bde. (Ex). The team members were awarded the Army Achievement Medal for their first-place finish, a trophy and smaller prizes.
Second place honors went to the team of Sgt. Philip Provience, Sgt. Johnny Ulrich, and Pvt. David Comer, from 97th Trans. Co. (Heavy Boat), 10th Trans. Battalion.
Third place honors went to the team of 1st Lt. Lawrence Esposito, 1st Lt. Benjamin Crockett, and 1st Lt. Mario Lopes, from 11th Trans. Battalion.
After his team's first-place win, Maddux reflected on the camaraderie experienced during the Resolute Warrior Challenge.
"The individual events were challenging and forced [everyone] to use teamwork and strategy in order to be successful," said Maddux. "The morale was very high among the teams competing, and the [brigade] fielded [many] great teams."