WIESBADEN, Germany - To enhance unit cohesion and provide leadership opportunities, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 18th Military Police Brigade took its Soldiers to Wiesbaden on April 16 to participate in a Warrior Adventure Quest program being offered by Installation Management Command-Europe.
Warrior Adventure Quest is designed to help redeploying Soldiers reach a "new normal" while adapting to a garrison environment following a combat tour.
Indeed, the loss of adrenaline that troops grow accustomed to in a war zone can lead some people to engage in risky behaviors when they return home, said IMCOM-Europe Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation officials.
Participation in WAQ gives combat-tested Soldiers a chance to participate in outings that promote team building, esprit de corps and Battlemind, which is the Army's psychological resiliency building program.
WAQ offers a number of high-adventure, high-adrenaline activities to choose from, including rock climbing, mountain biking, paintball, skiing or snowboarding. The Soldiers of HHC, 18th MP Bde., which is located on U.S. Army Garrison Mannheim, chose paintballing as a way to "blow off some steam," according to Sgt. 1st Class Brian Jones, the security and intelligence noncommissioned officer within the brigade.
Plus, Jones noted, paintball provides an opportunity for participants to take on personal and team challenges "while using agility, stamina and quick thinking to win various challenges and competitions."
Soldiers are tested in ways that require them to work together or as individuals to strategize and win. The highlight of activities at the indoor course came when MPs were able to put some of their real-world training to use; one team breached a building while attempting to retrieve a "hostage" from the opposing team.
Overall, and despite coming away from the day covered in bruises, the Soldiers enjoyed their outing.
"The 18th MP Brigade was very pleased, and we were happy to be a part of this training," said Jones. "Training events like these are few and far between. We wish there were more."
It was a sentiment echoed by many of those who participated.
"It was great," said Spc. Earnest Hamilton. "We got to release some stress. Everybody (had) fun together. We got a chance to have a good time with our co-workers. I would love to do it again."
Social Sharing