FORT CARSON, Colo. — Maj. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, left, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, alongside Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Nash, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, lead the division run, kicking off Ivy Week June 28, 2021. The division held its annual Ivy Week, which consisted of culminating events that established community and esprit de corps. (Photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)
By 2nd Lt. John E. Fitzpatrick
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers use teamwork and grit to overcome the obstacles course during Ivy week June 28, 2021. Each unit had Soldiers competing for the Commander’s Cup. (Photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The 4th Infantry Division celebrated its iconic history this week by hosting Ivy Week from June 28 through July 2, 2021.
Ivy Week is a weeklong event that brought Soldiers together from all units to compete in team and individual sports and build esprit de corps.
This year the 4th Inf. Div. highlighted several key themes including operation “People First,” winning matters, legacy and lethality.
A snapshot of the first day’s events began with the Ivy Division run at 6:30 a.m., where every unit in the division conducted a formation run. Maj. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson; and Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Nash, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, led the formation on a 3-mile course around Fort Carson.
After the run, many of the events happened simultaneously.
The Best Squad Competition began at 10 a.m. and consisted of nine-man squads running 4.47 miles while stopping to perform Army tasks along the route. Other Soldiers were competing in an obstacle course, pistol and rifle competition as well as incorporating aspects of the Army Combat Fitness Test, such as the weightlifting competition. Teams from each battalion conducted a competition across three different lifts: bench-press, squat and deadlift.
Teams from each battalion kicked off the softball tournament at the same time June 28, 2021, all vying for the Commander’s Cup, which is awarded to the overall winning unit of the week. Other sporting events included an ultimate frisbee tournament, basketball, baseball and dodgeball.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 4th Infantry Division fire a cannon every time a brigade passes a turn June 28, 2021, during the 3-mile division run that kicked off Ivy Week. (Photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)
Ivy Week is planned to end Friday from 5-10 p.m. with the Freedom Fest featuring Joe Nichols, fireworks and food trucks. Visit https://carson.armymwr.com/calendar/event/58983 for a list of times, parking and prohibited items. The event is open to all DOD ID card holders.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 4th Infantry Division compete against each other in a basketball game to build camaraderie June 28, 2021, at Iron Horse Park. (Photo by Spc. Woodlyne Escarne)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. Luke Kron, with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, tags out Pfc. Kristopher Munoz, with 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., during a softball game June 28 celebrating Ivy Week at the Ivy Gym Softball Field. (Photo by Sgt. James Geelen)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers dodged and weaved June 28, 2021, during the dodgeball tournament to score points toward winning the Commander’s Cup, the prize for the overall winning unit of Ivy Week. (Photo by Sgt. Ashton Empty)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Ivy A 4th Infantry Division Soldier prepares to throw the Frisbee to a teammate June 28, 2021, at Ivy Sports Field. (Photo by Capt. Jake Valdick)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Ivy Soldiers prove their lethality with a bang during the Ivy Week pistol competition June 28, 2021, at a range on Fort Carson. (Photo by Spc. Emmanuel Jeanmarie)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers conduct deadlifts during Ivy Week best squad competition at a 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team field June 28, 2021. (Photo by Sgt. Gabrielle Pena)