FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, run up a hill as a team with a litter on Fort Carson Nov. 18, 2019, during a brigadewide platoon competition for “Raider” Week to celebrate the heritage of the brigade. The event was only one of many events of the competition, which tested the Soldiers in areas of physical fitness, tactical marksmanship and warrior skills for the title of best platoon. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
By Sgt. Micah Merrill
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, complete the obstacle course during “Raider” week Nov. 18, 2019. The obstacle course builds team cohesion and evaluates problem solving skills. (Photo by Sgt. Inez Hammon)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Throughout the years, the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Raiders,” 4th Infantry Division, have celebrated their heritage through a week-long event filled with competitions, ceremonies and demonstrations. This past week, the 1st SBCT commemorated its 102nd anniversary since its establishment in 1917 during World War I.
“102 years — every major campaign, every major war, every major battle — this brigade has been called upon,” said Col. Ike Sallee, commander, 1st SBCT, at the commencement of the annual event. “We look at those people with reverence, and we look at those veterans and the things they have done with a great deal of respect. Ten, 20, 30 years from now, the people who follow in our footsteps will be looking back at all of you with reverence.”
The celebration kicked-off early Monday morning with teams tackling their first events of the week on Fort Carson. Soldiers, Families, friends and veterans shouted and cheered them on as the first rays of sunrise broke across the horizon.
“Over half the brigade participated in the competitions,” Sallee said.
For the first three days, company and battalion teams competed in a variety of sporting, tactical and fighting events to see who would rise above their peers from across the brigade. Despite field exercises and other training, the competitions, which included activities such as combatives, a ruck march, a terrain run, a combat water survival relay, and a team stress shoot, required consistent preparation by both individuals and the teams.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, maneuver the obstacle course’s logs and rope Nov. 18, 2019, during a brigadewide platoon competition for “Raider” Week to celebrate the heritage of the brigade. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
“I love to be a Soldier,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Delfin Romani, senior enlisted leader, 1st SBCT. “I love to be out there ruck marching, and I could see it in your faces as you climbed ‘Agony Hill.’”
Combined, roughly 400 competitors covered more than 4,800 miles during the ruck march. Dozens of troops also stepped into the combatives arena during the week demonstrating excellence and pride.
Part of this week was also about demonstrating readiness and the meaning of being fit to fight, Romani said.
“We owe it to America,” he said.
Of the several awards presented, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st SBCT, ultimately distinguished itself as one of the top performers, claiming the trophy for the “communicate” portion of the competition.
This portion required not only careful coordination, but also communication and included: the Army Combat Fitness Test, obstacle course, combat water survival swim and two-mile stretcher run. Held at varying times and locations across Fort Carson, each squad was graded based on a point system as it competed against the clock for the overall fastest time.
At the conclusion of the week an awards ceremony was held, recognizing the competitors who had distinguished themselves. Several Soldiers who have had significant impact on the brigade were also recognized and inducted as honorary Raiders.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers grapple during a combatives match Nov. 18, 2019, at Ivy Physical Fitness Center. The event was a part of 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division’s, “Raider” week, which tested Soldiers in various areas for the title of best platoon. (Photo by Pfc. Matthew Marsilia)
“For most competitions the objective of the competition is to find who are the champions,” Sallee said. “When we see every single one of you — you are the best. You do what 99 percent of people will not do or cannot do.”
As the ceremony came to a close, the Soldiers were reminded the week was more than a competition. It is also a solemn reminder of their willingness to answer our nation’s call and their obligation to be ready.
“Every single one of you is a champion,” Sallee said.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, complete a platoon run Nov. 18, 2019, during a brigadewide competition at Fort Carson, Colorado. The event was part of “Raider” week, which tested Soldiers in areas of physical fitness, tactical marksmanship and warrior skills for the title of best platoon. (Photo by Pfc. Matthew Marsilia)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Pfc. Kirston Beaucicault, an infantryman with 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, completes the leg tuck during the Army Combat Fitness Test Nov. 18, 2019, on Pershing Field during “Raider” week at Fort Carson, Colorado. The leg tuck assesses the strength of the Soldiers grip, arm, shoulder and trunk muscles. (Photo by Sgt. Inez Hammon)
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, FORT CARSON, Colo. — A Soldier with 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, participates in a water relay race as part of a brigadewide competition Nov. 18, 2019, at Ivy Physical Fitness Center. The teams were tested in areas of physical fitness, tactical marksmanship and warrior skills. (Photo by Spc. Robert Vicens)12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, participate in a water relay race as part of a brigade-wide competition, Nov. 18, 2019, at Ivy Physical Fitness Center on Fort Carson, Colorado. Teams of eight throughout 1st SBCT competed in multiple events for best platoon. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Robert Vicens)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — A Soldier with 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, maneuvers over water as part of a brigadewide competition Nov. 20, 2019, for “Raider” week. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — During the brigade competition, “Raider” week, a Soldier carries kettle bells Nov. 18, 2019. The Army Combat Fitness Test was one of many events of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division’s, competition. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, maneuver the obstacle course’s logs and rope Nov. 18, 2019, during a brigadewide platoon competition for “Raider” Week to celebrate the heritage of the brigade. (Photo by Sgt. Inez Hammon)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. Tate Leslie, an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepares to execute the standing power throw during the Army Combat Fitness Test on Pershing Field at Fort Carson, Colorado, Nov. 18, 2019. (Photo by Sgt. Daphney Black)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receive orders to begin the “Raider” week competition at Fort Carson, Colorado, Nov. 18, 2019. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — An infantryman with 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, completes the obstacle course as part of the “Raider” week competition at Fort Carson, Colorado, Nov. 18, 2019. Teams of eight within the brigade competed in areas of physical fitness, tactical marksmanship and warrior skills for the title of best platoon. (Photo by Sgt. Daphney Black)