"Ready to Roll" Soldiers conduct a rodeo, no bulls to ride

By Staff Sgt. Christopher Blakeslee, 1HBCT Public Affairs, 3rd IDAugust 9, 2012

"Ready to Roll" Soldiers conduct a rodeo, no bulls to ride
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. - No cowboy hats, bulls or horses were required for this rodeo as Soldiers with Company A, 3rd Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division, competed in a Truck Rodeo, Aug. 1.

Participating teams used trucks, forklifts and military gear to compete for top honors while having a little fun during this wheeled extravaganza.

"This is something we decided to do for fun, with some added training value," said 2nd Lt. Kelsie Knudson, a platoon leader with the transportation platoon, Co. A, 3rd BSB, who is a Nebraska native. "We have a lot of younger Soldiers who've never deployed before, and the skills they are using here, in this rodeo, are the same ones they will need to master if deployed."

The Soldiers were tested on a variety of new skills as they took part in an assortment of timed events that are both vital and perishable skill sets.

"The Soldiers will have to do a variety of tasks to include docking, loading, hitching, hauling and navigating a course with some tight turns, all while being timed," said Sgt. Daniel Oravets, a Soldier assigned to Co. A, 3rd BSB, and a judge for this event . "This is realistic and fun training which, if not practiced, diminishes with time."

As the competition waged on, the Soldiers were intensely focused on winning the grand prizes.

"The winners will receive a $15 Visa card, and a plaque with their names on it will be proudly displayed at Co. A, Headquarters." 2nd Lt. Kundson added.

Although it was a friendly competition and every team gave it their all, only one team could be declared the victor. Lassoing in the coveted title of top team was Pfc. Stephen Pacello, Spc. Michael Scardina and Spc. David Coleman, completing all events with a time of 19:04 second.