FORT SILL, Okla. May 8, 2014 -- Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery "Big Deuce" took a break from their routine mission of providing artillery live fire, ammunition delivery and fuel support to the Field Artillery School May 1 to take part in the second annual Pack Mule Challenge.
Lt. Col. Chris Compton, 2-2nd FA commander, chose the name linking to a mission in the battalion's history when it functioned as a pack mule artillery.
"In 1934, while the battalion was assigned duty in the Panama Canal Zone, Lt. Col. Edmund Gruber (who wrote the "Caisson Song") led the battalion, mules and all, on a forced march from coast to coast across the isthmus jungle covering 65 miles in four days," he said.
The challenge is a rigorous six-event competition that tests each Soldier's fitness level, drive and determination.
The purpose of the challenge is to inspire individual and battery-level physical fitness excellence, build unit cohesion and improve esprit de corps in the "Big Deuce" battalion.
The event began at 5:30 a.m. with a standard Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Following events were pull-ups (men) or flexed arm hang (women), the 30-pound ammo can press, and a six-mile footmarch with a 35-pound ruck. Each of these events was performed to established standards with external evaluators.
Soldiers meeting the established criteria for excellence in each event earned the Pack Mule title, and those attaining the highest standard in each event earned the title of Pack Master. These Soldiers also earned a spot on the Pack Mule Challenge board in the battalion headquarters where their name will be displayed for their achievements.
Compton instituted the Pack Mule Challenge last year as a unique way of improving the overall fitness level of his unit.
"This event is not just about one day, it's about setting a goal, preparing yourself mentally and physically, and pushing yourself to achieve a high standard," he said.
One Soldier who achieved his goal was Spc. Christopher Keith, Headquarters and Service Battery. Keith participated in the challenge last year but didn't quite reach the established standards of excellence. However, this year he'll get his name on the board for meeting the Pack Mule standard.
"I worked hard," Keith said. "I had a year to train, I listened to the advice of those who were better than me physically and it paid off."
The challenge was designed to be tough.
"Not everyone gets a trophy," he said. "I wanted the standards set high enough where only about the top 10 percent would likely achieve the Pack Mule standard and maybe 2-to-4 percent would achieve Pack Master. It's highly competitive and tough to achieve."
Compton noted that while the Pack Mule Challenge has resulted in individual excellence, it has also yielded unquestionable positive results when it comes to improving the overall fitness level of the battalion.
"In both 2013 and 2014 this event resulted in APFT averages roughly seven-to-eight points higher in each battery than any other unit APFT taken throughout the year," said the lieutenant colonel.
Capt. Timothy Davis, B Battery commander, pointed out that having a day to focus on fitness excellence is definitely welcomed.
"Because of our battalion's extensive training mission, it's not every day that we can dedicate a full day to physical fitness and competition," said Davis. "It reminds the Soldiers and leaders in the unit that at the end of the day we have to be combat ready and maintain our individual physical fitness."
After the Soldiers completed the rigorous challenge they then took to Fye Field to do competitive team events. These events allowed the batteries to go head-to-head against each other in strength and relay events like tug-a-war, four-man litter carry and a guidon relay. No awards or trophies were given out for these events, instead it was all about bragging rights.
Pfc. Compton Johnson enjoyed the team events.
"It gave us a chance to have fun after a long day of challenging events," said the Pack Master recipient, who extended his advice to other Soldiers. "Be motivated. Motivation and discipline is the key to fighting through the pain and becoming a Pack Master."
An awards ceremony May 7 recognized four Pack Masters, 18 Pack Mules and highest individual scorers for each event.
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