FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, complete an offensive play against their competitors with 759th Military Police Battalion June 27, 2019, in the finals of the flag football tournament as part of Ivy Week 2019. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Scott J. Evans)
By Staff Sgt. Scott J. Evans
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, weave their way through a climbing frame June 25, 2019, during the obstacle course competition at Ivy Week 2019. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Scott J. Evans)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Service members throughout the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson participated in both Soldier-oriented and sports activities in unit-level competitions as part of Ivy Week 2019 at Fort Carson June 24-28, 2019.
The annual event fosters and builds morale between Soldiers, as unit teams compete to ultimately earn bragging rights, which come with the winning team earning the Commander’s Cup.
“The planning for Ivy Week began about six months ago,” said Maj. Marc A. Janvier, air missile defense chief and chief of operations, 4th Inf. Div. “This was my very first Ivy Week, and I was excited to be part of it.”
The competitions included tournaments in activities such as softball, flag football, combatives, medical stakes, and a team stress shoot, which required consistent preparation by the teams in the months leading up to the start of Ivy Week to ensure success.
“Weeks prior, division (leadership) authorized us to go ahead and conduct rehearsals and training during (physical fitness) time to train up for these events,” said Sgt. 1st Class Ernesto Alvarado, a softball team pitcher for Ivy Week with 759th Military Police Battalion. “You can see that cohesion and esprit de corps at its very best. I love that it was opened up to not just Soldiers, but also Family members and civilians. At the end of the day, we all serve each other. I think that’s awesome.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — A Soldier with 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, climbs the ropes on the obstacle course June 24, 2019, during Ivy Week 2019 at Fort Carson. (Photo by Juliana Hill)
While both motivation and adrenaline were high for those actively involved in the competitions, the Ivy Week organizers and planners ensured safety was a high priority and built into the training plan.
“Risk mitigation measures that we implement to ensure the safety of all of our Soldiers, civilians, and Family members (include the) enforcement of safety and regulatory standards, and the use of proper personal protective equipment for the military competition events,” said Michael Sabatini, deputy safety director, 4th Inf. Div. “Military police are also involved in traffic and parking control to avoid other preventable mishaps.”
The multi-day event allowed Soldiers to participate in a vast array of sporting events they may not otherwise participate in. Organizers were hopeful to build on the enthusiasm that Ivy Week was able to cultivate.
“I’m hoping this tournament starts setting a drive for us to have more tournaments — maybe even do them quarterly to definitely build the esprit de corps and brotherhood these competitions bring,” said Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Martin, combatives director for Fort Carson and tournament director. “The combatives tournament drives training. People get excited, they get passionate, they see the tournament happening and then they want to train.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — 2nd Lt. Morgan Duncan with 59th Quartermaster Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, legs out a double during the first round of the Ivy Week softball tournament June 26, 2019, at Iron Horse Park. Duncan’s team won the first-round game 17-16. (Photo by Sgt. James Geelen)
Through the years Ivy Week has proven to be successful in building relationships between the participants through the spirit of competition.
“You see the motivation in the troops because they all want to win,” Janvier said.
At the conclusion of Ivy Week, the “Pioneers” of 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, received the highest score for Ivy Week for the second year in a row and were awarded the Commander’s Cup during a ceremony.
“It felt good to win back-to-back trophies against the other battalions due to the quality of the competiveness that they bring,” said Lt. Col. Dave Wilson, commander, 299th BEB, 1st SBCT. “It was truly an honor.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — From left: Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Ryan, acting senior commander, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson; Lt. Col. Dave Wilson, commander, 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div.; Command Sgt. Maj. Shade Munday, senior enlisted leader, 299th BEB, 1st SBCT; and Command Sgt. Maj. T.J. Holland, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, stand together with the Commander’s Cup during a ceremony at Pershing Field June 27, 2019, during Ivy Week 2019. While many units received plaques for their success in individual sports competitions, there could only be one overall winner, 1st SBCT. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Scott J. Evans)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. Roberto Galindo, right, with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, crosses home plate after hitting an inside-the-park home run June 26, 2019, during the Ivy Week 2019 softball tournament at Iron Horse Park. (Photo by Sgt. James Geelen)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Units within the 4th Infantry Division compete for the fastest time in a two-mile run June 24, 2019, to kickoff Ivy Week 2019 at Fort Carson. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Scott J. Evans)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — A Soldier with 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, takes a shot during the golf scramble as part of Ivy Week 2019 at Fort Carson June 26, 2019. The annual event is comprised of a series of Soldier-oriented and sporting events intended to build morale and esprit de corps. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Scott J. Evans)