Engineers demonstrate physical, mental strength in 'Never Daunted' challenge

By 1st Lt. Brett Carter, HHC, 84th Engineer BattalionSeptember 22, 2014

Engineers demonstrate physical, mental strength in Never Daunted challenge
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Ian Ford and Spc. Drake Davis of the 561st Engineer Company are presented an Army Achievement Medal from Lt. Col. Eric Noe, 84th Engineer Battalion Commander, for winning First place in the Quarterly Never Daunted Challenge in September. They fi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Engineers demonstrate physical, mental strength in Never Daunted challenge
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Sopheak Ou and Sgt. Mychall Love of 523rd Engineer Company complete the mystery event of the Never Daunted Challenge in Septemer, as they radio call in a 9-Line MEDEVAC to save the command team, Lt. Col. Eric Noe, 84th Eng. Bn. Commander, his wi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Engineers demonstrate physical, mental strength in Never Daunted challenge
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 84th Engineer Battalion demonstrated its commitment to developing and motivating its troops by reinvigorating a unit-wide competition this month designed to instill its engineers with a drive to stay physically fit and up-to-date on their Soldier... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- The 84th Engineer Battalion demonstrated its commitment to developing and motivating its troops by reinvigorating a unit-wide competition this month designed to instill its engineers with a drive to stay physically fit and up-to-date on their Soldier tasks.

The quarterly competition -- "Never Daunted Endurance Challenge," named after the unit's motto, "Never Daunted" -- involves extreme physicality mixed with simple Soldier tasks to develop and assess mental focus in stressful situations.

Each team consisted of two Soldiers representing their company.

The victorious duo of this month's "Never Daunted Endurance Challenge," was Sgt. Ian Ford and Spc. Drake Davis of the 561st Engineer Company. For their accomplishments they were both awarded the Army Achievement Medal by Lt. Col. Eric Noe, the 84th Engineer Battalion Commander.

They completed a combined 100 pull-ups, 200 air-squats, 200 sit-ups, and 200 push-ups followed by a 400 meter tire drag. Next, they carried two five-gallon water cans for 200 meters, and then added a medical litter to the load for an additional 800 meters. They ruck-ran to the finish line to face a mystery event.

September's mystery event involved radio set-up and proper radio operation to contrast the physically demanding tasks previously performed. The mystery event attempts to throw the competitors off as they try to slow their heart rate and calm their nerves to accurately complete the challenge.

Ford and Drake completed all events in 58 minutes and 48 seconds, 13 minutes ahead of the second place team.

"The competition was tough, but my team was Never Daunted, and I think we worked well as a team to show what is possible when you put your mind and heart into it," said Davis.

The challenge was first instituted in the battalion two years ago in Guam, and now thrives across the unit's formations in Hawaii.

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