FORT LEONARD WOOD, Missouri -- Just 90 days after relocating the company from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, to Fort Leonard Wood, the 595th Engineer Company (Sapper) honored the memory of a fallen Soldier during the inaugural Private First Class Errol D. Milliard Memorial Iron Sapper Competition.
The Oct. 2 event was held in remembrance of Milliard, an 18-year-old combat engineer with the 595th Eng. Co., who lost his life on July 4 in Afghanistan's Farah Province.
Milliard was killed as a result of injuries sustained from a rocket-propelled grenade fired during an enemy combatant attack.
To honor Milliard's dedication to his country and unit, the 595th Eng. Co., part of the 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, developed a competition that tests the mental and physical fortitude of its troops.
The Iron Sapper signifies the ever-present and ever-important role the junior enlisted Soldier plays in the combat engineer company.
"It is the junior enlisted Soldier who defeats the obstacle and travels through the breach," 1st. Lt. Joshua Menges, executive officer, 595th Eng. Co., said. "It is his responsibility to understand, operate, and maintain the tools of his trade. It is the junior enlisted Sapper that the rest of the Army trusts to clear the way forward."
The competition started early in the morning for the 25 competing troops, who kicked things off with an Army Physical Fitness Test. After the push-ups, sit-ups and 2-mile run, the Soldiers moved to a physical endurance course with their 45-pound rucksacks.
There, competitors were scored on how quickly they could complete the obstacle course that challenged them with climbing a log tower, low crawling through tunnels, maneuvering across a three-rope bridge and a 30-foot rope climb.
Soldiers were tested on their knowledge of demolitions and casualty assessment before completing demolition and combat lifesaver stations. The Sappers then set out on a 4.2 mile foot march where they were evaluated on their knowledge of weapon systems.
Event organizers said the troops were given three disassembled weapons and allotted 12 minutes to assemble, perform a functions check and then clear and disassemble each of the various systems.
To make things a bit more difficult, all the weapon systems were broken down to individual components and placed in one box.
"This method tested the mental propensity of the Soldiers and challenged their knowledge of the weapon systems that they used on a daily basis," Sgt. Orey Williams, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the weapon systems portion, said.
Marksmanship skills were also put to the test as each competitor fired an M4 carbine rifle as they each strove to earn bragging rights by scoring the highest.
After carrying on into the afternoon, troops performed tasks on radio communications and conducted checks and services on an armored personnel carrier.
The competition culminated with a rucksack inventory of personal equipment the Soldiers carried with them on an approximate 8-mile course.
Although unit officials praised all of the aspiring Iron Sappers, only one could earn the Private First Class Errol D. Milliard Iron Sapper Trophy and accompanying army achievement medal.
Spc. Gabe Duenas, a Soldier from the company's second squad, third platoon, expressed pride as he hoisted his bounty.
"It was a tough competition, but I learned a lot and this is definitely something I hope the company continues in the future," Duenas said.
(Editor's note: Fullerton is the 595th Engineer Company (Sapper) commander.)
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