'Sabers' hold best mechanic competition

By Sgt. Dustin Gautney, 2HBCT Public AffairsApril 7, 2011

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FORT STEWART, Ga. - Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 2nd "Spartan" Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, held a Best Mechanic Competition at their squadron motor pool, March 25.

The competition was the culmination of the Saber Wrench Academy, a two-month long training course covering a wide variety of tasks and skills throughout the Army's mechanic field.

Leading up to the competition we had 15 classes over the course of two months which covered everything from proper maintenance procedures to chemical spills to vehicle recovery operations," said Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Linck, 3/7 Cav., 2HBCT, motor sergeant.

The competition, which was based after the Army's Mechanic Badge certification qualifications, required Soldiers to receive a passing grade of 70 percent or higher to receive their Army Mechanic's Badge, however scores of 95 percent or higher to receive top honors in the competition, said Sgt. 1st Class Linck.

"The Soldiers, which received top honors not only were awarded their Army Mechanic's Badge but also an Army Commendation Medal and a four-day pass," said Sgt. 1st Class Linck. "However, the best reward the Soldiers get is the knowledge they learned during the whole event, not only in their own mechanical field but from other mechanical military occupations as well."

The course, which required cross-training between multiple mechanical fields, leads to the improvement of the Squadron's Soldiers, according to Staff Sgt. Obinna Awsuh, 3/7 Cav., 2HBCT, and an instructor for the competition.

"All of the Soldiers were very confident even while working outside of their occupational specialty," said Staff Sgt. Awsuh. "Having the classes covering the wide variety of mechanical fields definitely gave the Soldiers the skills needed to not only succeed in this competition but throughout their career."