FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Oct. 1, 2015) -- While most Soldiers on Fort Drum were making their way to their morning physical training formation, noncommissioned officers assigned to 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade were displaying unit cohesion and esprit de corps during an NCO run Sept. 25.
NCOs from the 63rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Special Troops Battalion and even the 91st Military Police Battalion participated in the event.
"It was pretty cool seeing the MPs show up for the run," said Sgt. Matthew Lundgren, 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade operations NCO, "especially since they don't even fall under the brigade anymore."
The four-mile run proceeded at a moderate pace; however, the distance nor speed was the focus of the event. Instead the focus was on strengthening the NCO Corps. Lundgren said it was a great feeling being surrounded by NCOs who were just as motivated as himself.
"I just wanted to bring all of the NCOs together as a team," said Command Sgt. Maj. Ann Sydnor, brigade senior enlisted adviser.
This was the first time the NCOs of the Muleskinner Brigade have been together since Sydnor has been a part of the organization.
Sydnor took advantage of the rare occasion and concluded the event with some professional development, where she took some time to talk to the Muleskinner NCOs. Topics she focused on included responsibilities, expectations, duties of the NCO and physical training.
"It was the perfect opportunity to get some things off my chest that needed to be said," Sydnor remarked.
The time also was used to remind the NCOs that no matter what, the brigade will never back down. The Muleskinner Brigade is the definition of resilient because of the NCO Corps.
"This is a great example," Sydnor said. "I hope that each battalion takes advantage of this idea and takes it back to their battalion and conducts their own NCO runs and other events focusing on the NCOs."
Most of the NCOs would say that the run and professional development influenced cohesion among the NCOs throughout the brigade. This may have been the first time the NCOs of the Muleskinner Brigade have gotten together, but it won't be the last. Sydnor said events like this will happen at least once a quarter.
"We are the backbone of the Army, but we're also each other's backbone," Sydnor said. "We all support and assist each other, and when NCOs work together, everything seems to fall into place."
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