FORT LEE, Va. (Oct. 15, 2015) -- For the 266th Quartermaster Battalion's 508th Transportation Company, the life of the operation rests with the truckmaster, the Soldier charged with juggling personnel, equipment and schedules as it relates to supporting missions for the Chief of Transportation, Quartermaster School and the Army Logistics University among others.
A large workload, fast-pace operations and a never-ending sense of urgency are factors that accompany such a diverse pool of customers, said 508th truckmaster Sgt. 1st Class Brian Garrett.
But none of those were present during the 508th-hosted 266th QM Bn. Truck Rodeo that took place Oct. 8 in the company parking lots. It was, in fact, a respite from the normal routine, said Garrett.
"The idea behind the Truck Rodeo was to showcase what the battalion can do in terms of logistical support, but it also was the means to build esprit de corps among the Soldiers, allowing them to show what they do on a daily basis," he said.
The Truck Rodeo -- the moniker given to a traditional Trans Corps event bringing together people, skills and vehicles -- featured categories for the Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, Humvee and passenger bus along with a written test. The vehicle contests took place on courses about the size of a football field where drivers had to maneuver around traffic cones. Time, safety practices and how well they negotiated the driving area were factors in the grading process.
Spc. Melissa Jenkins, who has been assigned to the unit since January 2014, was among several 508th Soldiers and roughly 30 others from QM units that participated. She came away with the acquisition of additional skills as a result of the competition, she said.
"I learned a lot," said Jenkins following the LMTV event, noting she shored up her skills prior to the event. "I learned how to back up a water buffalo and a trailer. Backing up was easy but driving in a serpentine (pattern during the LMTV course) was not."
Drivers in the Humvee and LMTV events were required to pull a trailer and 400-gallon Water Buffalo through the courses, respectively. Staff Sgt. Travis Cahchere, a platoon sergeant and safety NCO for the events, said there were a few commonalities among drives who performed best.
"Driving experience, knowing the capability of the vehicle and regular practice" were assets he said were most critical in negotiating the course.
Spc. Stephen Green, a 508th Soldier who said he had never competed in a truck rodeo, completed the Humvee course in three minutes, 31 seconds, a time competitive with many others but one that caused some chagrin.
"I had a couple of battle buddies who did better," he said.
The spirit of friendly competition to improve skills, unit camaraderie and an occasion to help the installation better understand the 508th's capabilities were all important messages the event successfully conveyed, said Lt. Col. Scott B. Kindberg, commander, 266th QM Bn. None, however, were better than "seeing the Soldiers get excited about what they do," he said.
Capt. Dyke Johnson III, commander, 508th QM Co., said his Soldiers deserve the warmth of the spotlight due to demands as the only trans unit at Fort Lee.
"We wanted to set aside one day in which we could focus on these Soldiers and showcase their skills and what they do best, " he said, "and, at the same time, build esprit de corps and just get away from the grind of the usual to do something fun."
Other attractions featured at the event included a family support group-hosted chili-cook off that drew numerous family members, and a team of Soldiers who offered motorcycle safety information
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