80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' tests transportation, maintenance skills

By Capt. Addie Randolph, 80th Training Command (TASS) Public AffairsSeptember 10, 2015

80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
1 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Kristina Singleton (right) and Spc. Joseph Pinterics, a two-person team representing Alpha Company 3/399th Logistics Support Brigade, troubleshoot a wheeled vehicle issue using an electronic technical manual during the 2015 80th Training Command... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
2 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Arthur Dunaway guides Sgt. Wade Waston in an attempt to get their vehicle close enough to the trailer for connection. Dunaway and Watson represented the 4/321 Logistics Support Battalion in the 2015 80th Training Command Logistics Training Exerc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
3 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Felicia Boling (left), from the 3/379th Logistics Support Battalion, with Sgt. Ronald Manigat, of the 4/321 LSB, study the technical manual prior to being questioned on how to properly change a tire during the 2015 80th Training Command Logistic... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
4 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Edwin Mankiewicz, an evaluator during the 2015 80th Training Command Logistics Training Exercise hosted by the 800th Logistics Support Brigade and conducted by the 3/379th LSB. The three day event, which started on Sept. 1, assesses the compete... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
5 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Coady Reynolds (left) and Spc. David Lapanne (right), a two-person team representing 3/319 Logistics Support Battalion, compete in the tire changing event of the 2015 80th Training Command Logistics Training Exercise hosted by the 800th Logistic... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
6 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP BULLIS, Texas -- Sgt. Teague Oviatt, a competitor from the 1/413th Logistics Support Battalion, identifies key terrain features on a map as a part of the land navigation warrior task lane held during day three of the 2015 80th Training Command (... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
7 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP BULLIS, Texas - Sgt. Christopher Smith, a competitor from the 3/379th Logistics Support Battalion, applies a combat application tourniquet on Spc. Kristina Singleton, a competitor from the 3/399th LSB, as a part of the warrior task lanes held du... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
8 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP BULLIS, Texas -- Sgt. Andrew Parker, a competitor from the 4/321 Logistics Support Battalion, assesses a simulated casualty for breathing as part of the warrior task lanes held during day three of the 2015 80th Training Command (TASS) 'Truck Rod... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
9 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP BULLIS, Texas -- Sgt. Daniel Friedman, a competitor from the 3/379th Logistics Support Battalion, jots down a 9-line medical evacuation as part of the warrior task lanes held during day three of the 2015 80th Training Command (TASS) 'Truck Rodeo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
10 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP BULLIS, Texas -- Spc. Kristina McPherson, a competitor from the 3/379th Logistics Support Battalion takes the transportation and maintenance written exam during day three of the 2015 80th Training Command (TASS) 'Truck Rodeo' competition. The th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
11 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP BULLIS, Texas -- 1st place winner in the driver category, Staff Sgt. Joseph Cook, a competitor 3/399th Logistics Support Battalion plots points on a map during the land navigation portion of the warrior task lanes on day three of the 2015 80th T... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
12 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CAMP BULLIS, Texas -- Col. Howard Geck, assistant deputy commanding officer of support, awards the Army Achievement Medal to Sgt. Michael Henry, B Company, 3/379th Logistics Support Battalion, after Henry earned 1st place in the mechanic category of ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
80th TC 2015 'Truck Rodeo' test Transportation, Ordinance skills
13 / 13 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Joseph Cook, a native from Beaver Creek, Ohio, won 1st place in the driver category of the 80th Training Command (TASS) Logistics Training 'Truck Rodeo' competition on Sept. 4, 2015. Cook, a (MOS) competitor from 3/399th Logistic Support B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP BULLIS, Texas -- Sgt. Michael Henry, and Staff Sgt. Joseph Cook, were the top performers during the 80th Training Command Logistical Training competition, also known as a truck rodeo, here Sept. 1-4, 2015.

Henry placed first in the mechanic's category representing B Company 3/379th Logistic Support Battalion, and Cook took first place in the truck driver's category as a member of B Company 3/399th LSB,

Both competitors received a winner's plaque and Army Achievement Medal from Col. Howard Geck, 80th Training Command deputy operations officer during an awards ceremony at the Army Reserve Center here.

"This last week you were able to increase your knowledge, skills and abilities, which helps to build you up as leaders," Geck said in a speech during the ceremony. "Take this information back to your units to train up your soldiers."

The 'Truck Rodeo' tests the competence level of Army truck drivers and wheeled vehicle mechanics who provide transportation and maintenance services to 80TC training facilities.

"There was some good competition here, I did not expect this at all," Henry said.

Competitors teamed together as driver and mechanic to negotiate the multiple stations in order to accrue the most points. The stations ae designed to test the skills of both drivers and mechanics allowing each individual to take turns as leader and assistant during each event.

"This year's competition had the best mix of evaluators from across the five battalions of the 800th Logistics Support Brigade," said 80th TC Command Sgt. Maj. Jeff Darlinton. "The evaluators don't just give a go or no go ... after each lane the soldiers had a discussion so there was actually a training benefit."

For the second year in a row the 3/399th LSB earned the coveted battalion cup, which goes to the competition's best performing battalion.

Next year's rodeo, which is currently in the planning phase, is open to all 80th TC soldiers in the transportation and ordinance career fields.

"We'd love to see more participation," said Col. Bradley Boganoski, commander of the 800th LSB.

Spc. Kristian McPherson, 3/379th LSB, who participated in this year's rodeo, said the experience was more than a competition.

"It's been amazing, and I've learned a lot," McPherson said. "I feel like I've challenged myself a lot more, [and] I am going to be a better soldier for it and I have a lot to bring back to my unit."