In the early morning of Nov. 24, three Soldiers went for a swim.
The scene probably seemed off to the visitors at Knight Swimming Pool. Fort Jackson's training mission covers a massive array of skills, but the sight of three Soldiers leaping into the pool -- fully clothed in their Army Combat Uniforms -- surely took a few people by surprise.
The 500-meter swim was just one of several challenges spread throughout the day for the Soldiers looking to join the post's Best Ranger Competition team in 2016. The annual event pits two-man "buddy" teams against each other in a grueling, Olympics-style event concentrating on military skills and endurance.
Fort Jackson has been granted one slot in next year's Best Ranger Competition. Last week's challenges were designed to identify the two-man team and a single alternate to represent the post in the competition.
"Today's event was to test our competitors' mettle," said Master Sgt. Jesse Yandell of Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment. "We started out the morning with a Ranger physical fitness test, consisting of a standard two minutes of pushups, situps, a 5-mile run and then as many pull-ups as possible. Our competitors did that in PT shoes and ACUs."
From there, the competitors moved to the 500-meter swim, a 13.5-mile foot march wearing 55-pound packs and Fighting Load Carriers, a 2-mile run and a trek through one of the post's confidence courses.
"We're trying to test physical and mental endurance," Yandell said. "We're trying to mimic the first day of Best Ranger Competition as closely as possible. The only difference is the pressure from the crowd and the competitors surrounding you."
As difficult as they might have been, last week's challenges lasted only a single day. Next year's Best Ranger Competition will span a full weekend, Yandell said.
Capt. Jason Parsons, a Medical Activity pharmacist competing for a slot on next year's team, said the challenges of the annual competition were "not even close" to what Soldiers endured in Ranger School.
"But (the competition is) a good sampling of physical ability," he said.
1st Sgt. Ricardo Gutierrez of Moncrief Army Community Hospital said his biggest challenge in next year's competition would be avoiding injury. Because of the post's training mission, though, Soldiers have access to combat ranges and physical fitness counseling that are not always available at other posts.
"I wish I'd had the chance 10 years ago," he said. "But I'm blessed to be here (at Fort Jackson.) We have everything available here for us."
Competitor Capt. Delbert Joo -- a company commander with 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment - said he always had wanted to compete.
"Best Ranger has really turned into a world-class competition," he said. "Having the opportunity to represent Fort Jackson and compete would be an honor in itself."
Last week's tryouts were just the first phase in constructing Fort Jackson's Best Ranger team, Yandell said. During the coming months, team members will work with master fitness trainers and other professionals to build strength and endurance to prepare for the competition.
"Being here at Fort Jackson helps because we have the fitness school, which assists with a lot of the programming," Joo said. "Some of the teams competing in Best Ranger are world-class athletes whose only job is to compete in Best Ranger year after year. That's who you're up against."
Best Ranger Competitor Characteristics:
Average age: 28
Average height: 5 feet, 10 inches
Average weight: 165
Rank: specialist to major
Airborne Ranger qualified
26 percent had competed before.
Source: www.bestrangercompetition.com/
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