FORT POLK, La. -- During a week that has saw rain pound Fort Polk with thunderous storms and oppressive humidity, the post came alive with the spirit of esprit de corps and competitiveness that only happens once a year during the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk's Warrior Week. This year's event happened May 27- 29, 2015. The games are meant to bring Fort Polk's brigades and their battalions together in friendly competitions.
This year's Warriors Week competition was comprised of seven different sporting events, flag football, softball, basketball, golf, crossfit, best warrior, and the endurathon. The games where held in various locations all across Fort Polk.
"I enjoy these competitions", said Staff Sgt. Derrick Brown, 317th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, football captain. "They are a great way to get the Soldiers out of the barracks and have some fun. More importantly, it's good for team building and great way to build young Soldiers confidence."
Right from the start on the second day of competition, the 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. Patriots set out to prove why they are the defending Warrior Week champions. The Patriots finished first and second in the Endurathon, which is a competition made up of multiple events.
The Endurathon is a punishing two man race that combines a two mile mud run, five miles of biking, three laps around Alligator Lake in a canoe, a five mile run, and then competitors had to build a raft out of their rucksacks and swim across Alligator Lake. To finish off the race, Soldiers had to sprint the last 400 yards to the finish line.
As the day heated up, the second day of competition came to a close with the Patriots continuing their winning ways by advancing three teams deep into the football tournament.
On the third and final day of sporting events several of the tournament titles were still up for grabs. It was the Buffaloes of the 317th Brigade Engineer Battalion,3rd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. that emerged with the flag football title.
"It's about the camaraderie that you have with your teammates. Playing sports with your coworkers allow you to see who people really are away from work," said PFC Mikail Jeter, 317th BEB, 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. basketball team member. "In the end, I like playing the game and having fun with my coworkers."
Due to the weather conditions, the softball and golf tournaments were played on the last day of competition, but that didn't stop the Warriors of 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. from sweeping both of the titles.
As Warrior Week competitions came to a close on the third day, the JRTC and Fort Polk's Warrior Fest kicked off.
The festival offered a variety of family friendly events like pony and train rides, along with karaoke, and a car show. There were plenty of traditional festival foods to be had like funnel cakes and corndogs, but there were also Cajun favorites like gator tail on a stick, and crawfish.
As part of the Warrior Fest, the JRTC and Fort Polk command team of Brig. Gen. Timothy McGuire and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Crabtree presented each of the winning teams with a trophy, then the brigade that had the most wins received the Commander's Cup.
Winning four of the seven tournaments, the Patriot Brigade left no doubt in anyone's mind that once again the Patriots would hoist the JRTC and Fort Polk Commander's Cup.
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