Every Soldier's a winner in Commander's Cup competition

By: Ann Keyes
Unit Public Affairs Representative

CAMP CLARK, Mo. - When Company A walked away with the Missouri National Guard's Commander's Cup at Camp Clark, Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from the St. Joseph-based group had reason to be prideful. But all the new recruits who participated in the demanding competition came away winners, as they honed skills key to future Army training, and possibly, to success on the battlefield.

"This is a great experience," said Pfc. Aaron Cassil, of California, fresh from a grueling obstacle course. "This challenge makes you think about what you need to do next, what your plan should be."

"This isn't just an obstacle course," said Sgt. 1st Class Charles Wood, the Missouri Guard recruiter in charge of the timed event. "They have a tactical operation to complete, they have a mission," he said before reminding participants to stay hydrated.

Five Soldiers made up each team on the obstacle course, which began with the new recruits in a dead-run, each in full gear carrying a rifle and 15-pound ammunitions box. Rushing carefully over long boards sidled by concertina wire, a Soldier deemed wounded as part of the exercise was placed on a stretcher.

Still with rifle and ammo in hand, team members carried their fallen comrade through more wire before advancing over wooden hurdles, large cement pipes and a seven-foot-tall barrier. With sweat dripping, competitors then ran to an idling Humvee and pushed the armored vehicle 50-meters slightly uphill.

"I thought it was fun," said Pfc. Sarah Lawrence, of Cabool, while her teammates gasped for breath. "This is a little harder than basic training," added the Company F team leader of the event most finished in about nine minutes.

Hundreds of Soldiers competed in the annual Commander's Cup, all members of the Missouri Guard's Recruit Sustainment Program. Through the program Soldiers who have not yet completed basic and advanced individual training learn Army skills and values and become more familiar with their role as members of the Missouri National Guard.

"The Commander's Cup is a chance for the Soldiers to develop teamwork as a company," said Staff Sgt. Joel LeMaster, the recruit program's Springfield-area coordinator. "It also provides them a chance to discover their personal strengths and weaknesses to better prepare themselves for further training."

Soldiers representing all nine Recruit Sustainment Program companies competed for bragging rights in the Commander's Cup. Events included an Army physical fitness test, drill and ceremony, common task training, boat races and water escape. The physical fitness test consisted of a timed two-mile run and the number of pushups and sit-ups each Soldier could do in a pair of two-minute intervals. A 25-point test of general Army knowledge made up common task training.

"The new recruits are learning teamwork, how to listen to leadership and they are getting good exercise," said Sgt. 1st Class Douglas McCall as he manned the popular boat race competition. "This event also allows them to get wet on a 95-degree day," he added.

Late afternoon on the longest day of the Commander's Cup, Soldiers from the program's companies in St. Joseph, Springfield, Kansas City, Sedalia, Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, Macon and Festus fought heavily in the annual tug-o-war match. The otherwise barren fields at Clark rang with shouts of encouragement from each company to its line of participants.

Overall Cup winner Company A also took control of the rope challenge before going on to beat noncommissioned officers from the east side of the state who had just beaten their west-side counterparts.

Following the spirited contest, Master Sgt. Julie Erwin, acting sergeant major for the competition, gave props to the winning group and hailed the long day 'mission completed.' She then dismissed the Troops to companies for the night and ordered their return at 5:30 the next morning.

"This is definitely challenging," said Pfc. Bryan Samsel, of Springfield and Company D. "It's not too difficult physically though. We are well-trained for it."

Said Staff Sgt. Zach Petty, of Sikeston and Company E, between instructing groups of Soldiers in land navigation: "This is a good group of recruits. As long as they stay motivated and enjoy training, they'll do well."


For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.