FORT LEONARD WOOD, Missouri -- Bragging rights were on the table as the 5th Engineer Battalion -- part of the 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 1st Infantry Division -- conducted a Sapper Stakes competition where 11 squads from three companies flexed their engineering muscles, Oct. 21-22.
In the end, it was a squad from the 515th Engineer Company that demonstrated the highest morale and job proficiency as 1st Squad, 1st Platoon was recognized as the best the battalion had to offer.
Spc. Kevin Brown, a Clinton, Missouri, native from the winning squad, emphasized just how important Sapper Stakes is.
"It's like the Super Bowl for engineers," Brown said.
The competing squads were challenged with eight engineering-specific tasks, including disabling a bridge with explosives, preparing a bridge reconnaissance report, wire obstacles and clearing scenarios.
The competition culminated with a nighttime six-mile foot march, the finale the eventual champions knew could seal their victory.
"We knew before the ruck started that if we beat 90 minutes, we won," Brown said.
When they crossed the finish line with four minutes to spare, the squad, which claims to do things the old-school way, including choosing to sleep on concrete instead of cots while in the field for the competition, collectively breathed a sigh of relief and contentment as they accomplished what they were confident they would do -- win.
Although the winning squad had trained for months on tasks they would be charged with during Sapper Stakes, Spc. Paul Joseph, a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, native, credited a simple adage for their success.
"Do what you're taught," Joseph said.
A different team member cited another recipe for his squad's success.
"You definitely have to put two words together and that's team and work," said Spc. Blake Wanstrath, a Clarksville, Tennessee, native.
Teamwork is something the squad members said comes naturally for them after spending nearly three months together in Afghanistan working on route clearance missions in 2013.
"You learn how everybody works and get to know their weaknesses and strengths," said Staff Sgt. Jeffery Cornett, the squad's leader.
Cornett, from Flat Rock, Alabama, touted the specialists in his squad, who he placed sergeant responsibilities on in leading missions "so the young guys know how to do it."
Each member of the squad received an Army Commendation Medal for their efforts.
Although the squad from the 515th Eng. Co. has temporary bragging rights, they're not resting on their laurels just yet.
"We have to repeat," Cornett said.
Social Sharing