EMIB Squad selected as "best of the best"

By Spc. Adeline WitherspoonApril 12, 2016

"It feels pretty good to go out and compete with the guys," said Spc. Caleb J. Fassler, 52nd LRS squad member and "Best Squad" member. "It was definitely a great challenge for everyone."

Fassler and the rest of his squad received a ceremonial bayonet, congratulatory plaque, and an Army Achievement Medal from the 7th ID commanding general, Maj. Gen. Thomas S. James. During his speech, James talked about the importance of competition and the grit needed to come out on top.

"We are a team of Army professionals who are combat ready to fight and win in a complex world," he said. "A whole lot of dedicated hard work, blood and sweat goes into being the best Army in the world and the best division in the Army."

The competition, which took place on March 24, started with the squads escorted via Black Hawk helicopter to the start point, beginning a 10-mile ruck march immediately followed by a demonstration of first aid knowledge.

After the ruck march and a brief moment to recover, the squads exchanged their combat boots for running shoes and completed a modified physical fitness test, which included a 5-mile run. The squads then moved to the obstacle course where they worked as a team in order to complete the 15 stations in the shortest time possible.

The goal, according to Master Sgt. Michael Robinson, non-commissioned officer in charge of the competition, was to give every squad a fair chance to win.

"The guidance given to me by Command Sgt. Maj. (Jackie) Love, (7th Inf. Div. command sergeant major) was he didn't want the infantry guys to have an advantage over the artillery guys, or the artillery guys to have an advantage over the aviator guys," he said. "We had to build something where nobody had an advantage, and everybody had an equal opportunity to succeed or fail."

Next, the squads moved to the Engagement Skills Trainer to compete in the marksmanship event, where they zeroed weapons and engaged virtual targets.

"The EST was a huge help to us because it gives the latitude to do whatever scenario we wanted in the time that we wanted, and we didn't have to go through the whole support requirements and pull people out to the range," said Robinson.

The competition's evaluators also measured the effectiveness of each squad's leadership. Squad leaders were given the freedom to choose an appropriate uniform for each event, as well as logistics and overall tactical strategy, according to Robinson

"I gave as much leeway to the squad leaders as possible, so unless it was a safety requirement, I left the uniform up to the squads. I also left the chow plans up to the squads," he said. "I was surprised by their ingenuity."

In preparation for the numerous events, several squad leaders said they trained over several weeks to improve their squad's chances at winning the competition.

"We've done rucking, as much as we can get in on our personal time, as well as working on some marksmanship techniques and other common tasks for us as Soldiers," said Sgt. Alexander Lorati, a squad leader with 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. "This competition (brought) us together as a squad and just tightened the bond (and skills) we already have… working as a team and making us a cohesive unit."

In order to claim the title of "Best Squad," the groups not only had to prove themselves as Soldiers but also as dedicated members of a team. On this particular day, the 201st EMIB had the best squad, but Robinson said that every Soldier in the competition should be happy with the results.

"No one gave up on themselves," he said. "They just kept driving on all the way to the end, and I'm really proud because that's something we look for in the infantry but I saw it in all seven brigade's teams. They still pushed through and had smiles on their faces."