Soldiers showcase determination and teamwork

By Cpl. Sin, Jae-hyungJune 27, 2017

Soldiers showcase determination and teamwork
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Headquarters and Headquarters Company takes a group photo with Maj. Gen. John P. Sullivan, Commanding General, 19th ESC after being awarded the Commander's Cup, June 17, 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Sin, J... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers showcase determination and teamwork
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Headquarters and Headquarters Company members lift and carry various objects across 200 yards of Kelly Field for the fastest time in the last game of the Commander's Cup Finale, June 17, 2017. (U.S. Army pho... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers showcase determination and teamwork
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers showcase determination and teamwork
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

DAEGU, South Korea -- Soldiers from 10 different units in Area IV competed over the weekend in various fitness games. The 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command's Headquarters and Headquarters Company was awarded the first Area IV Commander's Cup during a ceremony held in Camp Walker, June 17.

The Area IV Commander's Cup is a bi-annual event consisting of various team sports, runs, holiday events and functional fitness games. Points are awarded for each event based on team or individual entry and placings. Each unit in Area IV can have one team with active duty soldiers. Civilians can participate, but don't receive points.

"The whole purpose of this event is to bring about unit cohesion, foster a good morale in units and also take time out of our mission schedules to strengthen our team-building," said 1st Sgt. Teodoro N. Martinez, HHC, 19th ESC first sergeant. "I think Commander's Cup events are meaningful in that units all over Area IV come together to compete and showcase their abilities."

From previous Commander's Cup events such as; Columbus Day dodgeball, basketball and disc golf tournament, HHC, 19th ESC accumulated the most points claiming the lead going into the Commander's Cup Finale.

The finale kicked off with a 2,000 meter team rowing relay. Four members in each team shared one rowing machine taking turns in relay fashion to complete the assigned distance in the Camp Walker Kelly Fitness Center. For every task, teams that finished the fastest were awarded the most points.

Shortly after each event, judges jotted down each team's time for record while four members from each team prepared for the second event, trap bar deadlift and shuttle run. As soon as one member completed 10 repetitions of deadlift, the other member performed the shuttle run. The event was comprised of five repetitions.

"What I liked about this event was that it made each one of us strive for an accomplishment," said Spc. Christian Wyckhouse, human resources specialist, 19th ESC. "I think communication was the major factor behind our winning. Now when I go back to work, I have a sense of more teamwork, instead of just doing the same thing every day."

Next participants moved to the swimming pool where teams of four raced against each other to complete 200 meters using any style of swimming with each member swimming 50 meters in relay fashion.

HHC, 19th ESC claimed the Commander's Cup by accumulating the most overall points while the 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion was awarded the Functional Fitness Games Championship trophy.

The 19th ESC will now utilize the lessons learned from its first Commander's Cup to promote teamwork and prepare for future successful and meaningful Commander's Cup events.