FORT CARSON, Colo. — Capt. Peter Smith, center, commander, Alpha Company, 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, simulates being a casualty Nov. 7, 2019, at Fort Carson, Colorado, during the battalion’s “Blacksmith Challenge.” (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, treat a simulated casualty Nov. 7, 2019, during the battalion’s “Blacksmith Challenge,” at Fort Carson, Colorado. The event is a monthly competition between battalions. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — With beanies, gloves and extra-warm clothing — the Soldiers of 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, geared up to compete in the battalion’s “Blacksmith Challenge” Nov. 7, 2019, at Fort Carson, Colorado.
“The Blacksmith Challenge is a competition between the companies of the 704th BSB that we conduct once a month,” said Lt. Col. Adrian Sullivan, commander, 704th BSB, 2nd IBCT.
“As a battalion we wanted to do something to bring morale and to have some friendly competition.”
According to Sullivan, each challenge is different than the last.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — A Soldier with 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, performs a pull up Nov. 7, 2019, at Fort Carson, Colorado, during the battalion’s “Blacksmith Challenge.” (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
“The winner of last challenge gets to create the events for the next month’s competition,” Sullivan said. “Each competition not only tests the Soldiers physically and mentally but it also
refreshes warrior tasks and battle drills to ensure we stay ready as a battalion.”
The November challenge included burpees, kettlebell swings, treating casualties, casualty carries and much more.
For 1st Lt. Allyson McClain, executive officer, Charlie Company, 704th BSB, 2nd IBCT, the competition helped raise cohesion within her company.
“One single person can’t win the challenge, but when everyone comes together and shares that winning motivation, that’s when we really succeed,” explained McClain. “We work together on a daily basis and we realize we have a lot of kills in our day-to-day jobs, but getting to see how we come together in a fast-paced event like this is a unique experience.”
With most of the “Blacksmith” Soldiers leaving for a combat training center rotation, Sullivan wanted to send them off in a fun manner.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Two Soldiers with Charlie Company, 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pull a simulated casualty to the next event Nov. 7, 2019, at Fort Carson, Colorado, during the battalion’s “Blacksmith Challenge.” (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
“I love to see the camaraderie and the competitive side that is displayed during the challenges, and I don’t think we could have ended the week any better,” Sullivan said.”