What is an Army Family?

By Sgt. Jesse SmithNovember 6, 2015

What is an Army Family?
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What is an Army Family?
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What is an Army Family?
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What is an Army Family?
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CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea -- What does it mean to be a Family? Who can be your Family? The answer may not be written in stone, but one unit with the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade thinks they have formed a Family of their own.

A group of Soldiers from the Co. D, 3rd General Support Aviation Brigade, 2nd CAB competed in an obstacle course called the 'Spartan Race' on October 31 at the Elysian Gangchon Resort in South Korea. It was a 12-mile course with over 20 different obstacles.

Some of the obstacles included running through muddy water, carrying sand bags, a rope climb, water slide and a tire pull.

Spc. Malaki B. Pickrell, a CH-47 Chinook repairer with Co. D and a native of Edgewood, Texas, was one of the Soldiers who competed.

"The most difficult obstacle I faced during the race had to be the elevation," Pickrell said. "There were just so many hills and mountains to run up and down that it made it hard to catch your breath."

He said their group of Soldiers attempted to stay together at first, but eventually they started breaking apart. Some of the obstacles did require some teamwork to get over barriers and walls. At these points, the Soldiers worked together to accomplish the mission.

At the end of the race the Soldiers received a medallion, water and a much needed shower. The fastest Soldier finished in close to four hours.

Spc. Steven Berg, a CH-47 repairer from Co. D and a native of Cedar Lake, Indiana, was another Soldier who competed in the race.

"If I were to do another race like this I would definitely train more for hills and mountains," Berg said.

He said they had trained for a few months every morning leading up to the competition and they had built a fantastic esprit de corps through the exercise.

"Training really brought everyone together," Berg said. "It gave us all a common goal and we helped each other reach it."

Pickrell said his legs may have been dead, but at the end of the day those Soldiers who he already considered Family had grown even closer and stronger. They might not be connected by blood, but they are certainly connected by the army values, friendship and a giant man-made obstacle course.