Soldiers from 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, learn tactical squad maneuvers during a 72-hour field training exercise while participating in a warrior skill training and competition event Oct. 28, 2015. (Photo by Sgt. Benjamin Kullman)
By Sgt. Benjamin Kullman
4th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Braving the elements, hunger and exhaustion, 18 Soldiers from across the 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, volunteered to participate in the Rough Rider 300, Oct. 27-29, 2015, a recurring competition and training opportunity for service members and the leadership of the “Rough Rider” Brigade.
The competition was open to all Soldiers regardless of rank or military specialty. The participants gathered to test their mettle against their colleagues and to the opportunity to be recognized as the most outstanding Soldier of the cycle. The winner will earn a spot for the pre-Ranger selection course.
Consisting of a series of individually scored events, the Rough Rider 300 is a combination of a warrior skills competition and training exercise designed to introduce Soldiers to infantry and combat skills and tactics they may otherwise not be exposed to.
“(The Rough Rider 300) is the building blocks for getting back to the basics,” said Lt. Col. Chesley Thigpen, commander, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th SB. “It’s
critical that we get back to the basics, not just for our brigade, but the Army as we come out of the limitation type mindset back into expeditionary forces and smaller teams going forward.”
The competition began with an Army Physical Fitness test, a 5-mile run and a 12-mile ruck march, which had to be completed in under three hours.
Following a short rest period to allow the candidates to rehydrate, eat, and tend to their sore feet, the participants were then sent through a basic Army Combatives course conducted by instructors from the brigade’s 183rd Movement Control Team’s “Fight House.” Following the session the candidates received instructions on the tactics, weapons and equipment they would encounter during the event.
The participants were transported to one of Fort Carson’s training sites to begin a 72-hour field training exercise where they would be allowed a limited amount of sleep. They were tested on warrior tasks and battle drills, their ability to react to simulated combat situations, radio operations, medical lane and day and night urban operations.
“It’s critical for the mission that our Soldiers get back to individual tactics and working in small groups in a stressful environment,” said Thigpen. “The Rough Rider 300 is a step in that direction.”
Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Trillo, brigade master gunner, said good preparation, planning, and rigorous training carries Soldiers through the challenges of combat and operating in support under hazardous conditions.
“The purpose of the Rough Rider 300 is to recognize Soldiers who have demonstrated a mastery of critical tasks that build the core foundation of individual proficiency,” said Trillo. “For this reason, we must make heavy demands from our Soldiers during peacetime and never become complacent. We must know why we exist as Soldiers, which is to deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars and return home safe.”
The results of the Rough Rider 300 Competition will be announced during an award ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 16, 2015, at McMahon Auditorium.