Leaders from the 1st Infantry Division engaged in the Victory Crucible Challenge
Sept. 21-22 at Fort Riley.
The purpose of the challenge was to strengthen mission readiness through teamwork.
Sgt. Maj. John Docev, the senior 1st Inf. Div. transportation officer, has been with the "Big Red One" for six weeks.
"I'm out here supporting the division being part of the team," Docev said. "I'm new to the installation and unit. I'm trying to get myself integrated here and get to know people and have people get to know me."
Docev was originally stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, prior to being reassigned with the 1st Inf. Div. Now, he must learn to work with a multitude of new faces.
Ninety-one Soldiers spread across six teams competed in the crucible.
"This is a team-building event for the staff to come together and learn a little bit about each other under some stress," said Lt. Col. Charles Caudill, deputy fire support coordinator with the 1st Inf. Div. "You get to know everyone's strengths and weakness."
The two-day challenge included an obstacle course, medical course, land navigation, a 10-mile foot march, firing weapons, observing coordinates and calling for fire.
Caudill said these events helped to show the competitors what their fellow Soldiers were made of.
"There's going to be sometimes when you're struggling and they're going to be sometimes when they're struggling," said Capt. Rachel Seller, an engineer operations officer with the division. "If you can anticipate you can compensate for them better."
Each event was timed but placed emphasis on speed, safety and standards.
"This is a chance to challenge myself," Seller said. "I'll get to push myself and figure out what that point is where I need to take a break."
"How far can I go?"
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