N.C. National Guard Soldiers Compete for Soldier of the Year : 無料・フリー素材/写真
N.C. National Guard Soldiers Compete for Soldier of the Year / North Carolina National Guard
| ライセンス | クリエイティブ・コモンズ 表示-改変禁止 2.1 |
|---|---|
| 説明 | CLINTON, N.C. -- North Carolina National Guard Soldiers from across the state competed for 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team ‘Soldier of the Year’ honors at the unit’s headquarters here February 4.The ten soldiers tested their physical and mental endurance during the event graded by the most senior Non Commissioned Officers in the 3,500-member brigade.“You can tell the quality of the Soldiers is incredible,” said Army 1st Sgt. James Yanacsek with D company, 252nd Combined Arms Battalion, headquartered in Sanford, N.C. The Soldiers must complete a physical fitness test, a map reading exercise, a six-mile road march and a Soldier’s board testing military knowledge.“It is what every soldier should know, and be able to do,” said Army Sgt. Robert Charette, of Raleigh, N.C., a self employed mason and an infantry team leader with B Company, 120th Combined Arms Battalion, headquartered Whiteville, N.C. The Soldiers do not face this challenge alone. Several enlisted leaders from the brigade’s member battalions traveled with their competing soldiers.“Our command has been very supportive and sent me to help my soldiers,” said Army Staff Sgt. Mary Watterson, a full time student at University of North Carolina at Pembroke and formerly a training noncommissioned officer of the C Company, 230th Brigade Support Battalion, located in Goldsboro, N.C. The day begins with an early morning physical fitness test outside in the cold still air. Soldiers strain to complete as many push-ups and sit-ups in two minutes as they can. Watterson slams her hand on the ground shouting, “push, push, push, one more” to Spc. Alex McGillivray, a lab technician at C Company, as he completes one more push-up.The test concludes with a two-mile run. The soldier’s times are graded on a scale according to age so they run for a score for time and not directly against each other. While the soldiers are competing to represent the brigade at a statewide competition later this year, they are still soldiers and cheer each other on.After completing two miles in thirteen minutes, Sgt. Crystal Fisher runs back down the course to pace and encourage her fellow 230th Soldier, McGillivray. Together they sprint to the finish line.“It is what you do, he is my battle buddy,” said Fischer.From the physical to the mental, the soldiers must now complete several academic problems including a written essay and map reading.The map reading is a far cry from the usual high tech satellite and computer based navigation. Soldiers must plot position, elevation, distance and directions using only a map, pencil and protractor.The final day’s event is a six-mile road march with a 35-pound pack with 90 minutes to finish the event. Pack frames bend, straps stretch as each Soldier adjusts their load before the start of the event. The march taxes even the best Soldiers in the brigade. By the end, they are covered in sweat on a 50-degree winter’s day.A well-earned rest is needed for tomorrow, the Soldiers face a board judged by a team of noncommissioned officers with more than a century of combined military experience.(U.S. Army Photos by Staff Sgt. Robert Jordan, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs) |
| 撮影日 | 2012-02-04 16:23:48 |
| 撮影者 | North Carolina National Guard |
| 撮影地 | |
| カメラ | DSC-F828 , SONY |
| 露出 | 0.006 sec (1/160) |
| 開放F値 | f/4.0 |