CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Sustainment Brigade participated in Living the Army Values Week March 11-13, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The events for the three days consisted of a fun run, leadership bowl, prayer/values breakfast, unit values day and awards ceremony.
The events planned were not to teach the Army values, but to reinforce and emphasize the importance of living the values personally and professionally.
Staff Sgt. Tamara Smith, the chaplain assistant assigned to 3rd Sustainment Brigade was the creator behind the Provider Spiritual Fitness Olympics which was part of the unit values day.
"I wanted to find a way to bring spiritual resiliency and comradery together," said Smith. "Healthy competitions raises morale and it also gives people a reason to be hopeful and gives them a break from their normal work duties."
Teams of six partook in seven events. The events were 6 by 200 meter relay, three-point shootout, dodgeball, litter carry, water balloon toss, tug-o-war, and one 2 minute round of Taboo.
Before each event started Spc. Brian Beck, the chaplain assistant assigned to 49th Movement Control Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, read an Army value and how it could be applied to the upcoming event and personally, along with a scripture or inspirational quote.
"I never really realized how the Army values can play a huge role in your life spiritually," said Pfc. Shaniqua Robinson, assigned to 32th Composite Truck Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade. "I think it was a great reference to point out other than typical book definitions we normally get."
Capt. Dendre Wright, commander of Headquarter and Headquarters Detachment, 49th MCB, agrees with Robinson.
"I've never compared the Army values to scriptures before, and that was very eye opening how relatable they are," said Wright, who is actively involved in church events in Kuwait. "The Spiritual Fitness Olympics was great because it brought our battalion together; we had five teams participating."
There were a total of 14 teams that competed for the championship trophy.
"The day wasn't completely about winning," said Capt. Tyler Tavares, part of the first place team "The Pineapples" assigned to Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade. "It was a time where we got to get out of the office and interacted with all the Soldiers for some healthy competition, with the Army values reinforced."
Whether it is loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage, every Soldier has his or her favorite for one reason or another. From the moment they step foot at basic training, these values are engrained in the lives of the Soldiers; they are expected to live by them throughout their career.
"The Army represents America, it is a melting pot of cultures, societies, and religions," said Wright, a member of Myron's Miners. "We use the Army values to get all on the same level of expectation for our military career."
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