Best JAGuars: Paralegal Soldiers 'dig deep, gut it out' in competition to earn privileges

By T. AnthonyJanuary 19, 2016

Determination
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Hanif Maragh, Juliet Company, 244th Quartermaster Battalion, pulls himself up over the pullup bar during his company's fitness challenge Aug. 30. More than 50 Soldiers participated in the event that served to boost morale by awarding priviledges... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Giving it her all
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Victoria Smith, Juliet Company, 244th Quartermaster Battalion, pushes toward the finish line during a weapons run Aug. 30. It was one of several competitive events that made up a pre-Labor Day weekend fitness challenge that awarded privileges ba... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
One more
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Judson Godbold pauses before pulling himself over the pullup bar during the Juliet Company, 244th Quartermaster Battalion fitness challenge Aug. 30. The challenge was an incentive event in which the winning team was awarded certain priviledges. ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEE, Va. (Sept. 12, 2013) -- While most of the installation was preparing for the Labor Day weekend Aug. 30, Juliet Company, 244th Quartermaster Battalion, decided to twist the traditional agenda with a fitness event dubbed the Best JAGuar Competition.

The Jaguars, a wordplay based on the Judge Advocate General career management field to which the Soldiers belong, were grouped into teams that tried to outdo each other in a 2-mile run with M-16s, pull-ups, sit-ups, pushups and a 300-yard shuttle run. The prize was a pass upgrade, which in some cases allows the initial entry training Soldiers the privilege of going off post. That possibility brought out a high level of intensity among the contestants. The Jaguars exerted themselves, cheered on their battle buddies and represented the JAG Corps well, said the event's organizer Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Wilkerson.

"The event was meant to be tough and to have a certain 'suck factor,'" he said. "I was proud to see the Soldiers come together and really try their hardest and compete, despite some of the daunting events."