2010 Year in Review:Family Members compete for Combat Spouse's Badge (14 Oct 10)

By Staff Sgt. Syreetta Watts, 2nd HBCT Public AffairsJanuary 6, 2011

Combat Spouse
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. - On a cool, breezy day, they all came together to compete. They waited for this event for a very long time. They were motivated, energized combat spouses and children.

Families of the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, joined together at Fort Stewart's Donovan Field to support the Combat Spouse's Badge event, Oct. 3.

As the spouses and children entered the event wearing their supportive fatigue attire, they found themselves ready for competition and began camouflaging their faces with face paint. Upon arrival, each contestant received checklists naming every obstacle in the competition, as well as bandannas to match the battalions they were representing.

Some of the events included Target Practice, Yankee Doodle, Meet the Oracle, the Physical Training course and Rocky's Relay.

Afterward, they were broken down into groups, and one person from each group was chosen to be a group leader.

Melody Sexton, head advisor for the Spartan Family Readiness Group, said that while the events were enjoyable for the spouses and children, the physical challenges and strenuous activities reminded them of the challenges their Soldiers as well as Families left behind face while answering the call of duty.

"More than 200 people attended the event," said Sexton. "At the end of the day, it's all about coming together and celebrating."

All of the events are symbolic challenges that we faced during the deployment," said Sexton.