FORT BENNING, Ga. – An M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle crew and M1A2 SEPv2 Abrams tank crew assigned to the “Spartan Brigade,” 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia competed in the 2022 Sullivan Cup against six other tank teams and four other Bradley teams from May 2-6 at Fort Benning. The Bradley crew won first place, bringing the Sullivan Cup back to the Marne Division after also winning the competition the last time it was held in 2018 due to the pandemic.
“We believe that winning matters and we believe in competition; competition breeds competence,” said Gen. Paul E. Funk II, the 17th Commanding General of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, during the Sullivan Cup.
The competition embodies its namesake, retired Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, who commanded numerous armored formations throughout his 36 years of service. The biennial Sullivan Cup brings together tank and Bradley crews from across the Army and the world and then rigorously and comprehensively tests their individual and crew level proficiencies.
“It shows what it takes to be an armor crew member in our Army,” said Capt. Matthew Meyer, an operations officer assigned to the 30th Adjutant General Battalion, 194th Armored Brigade, U.S. Armor School, and the officer in charge of the Starry Physical Proficiency Test. “Overall, it brings out the best in each crew and each competitor.”
Tank crews, and for the first time Bradley crews, from armored divisions across the Army competed in the competition. The tank and Bradley crews completed the same events but competed separately.
The “Spartan Brigade,” 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID fielded two teams to represent the Marne Division. The Bradley crew included Staff Sgt. Julian Gaitor, Spc. Tyler McGinnis and Pfc. Patrick Sullivan assigned to the “Hound Battalion,” 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, and the tank crew included Staff Sgt. Steven Shives, Staff Sgt. Colby Kuberski, Sgt. Grant Arnall and Spc. Alejandro Anguiano assigned to the “Panther Battalion,” 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID.
Before the main events, competitors participated in a week of preliminary rounds, which allowed them to familiarize themselves with the vehicles they would use for the competition and earn points towards their overall score.
The Sullivan Cup began after Operation Thunderstrike, a public live fire demonstration of the Army’s history and evolution of armored warfare and an opening ceremony that introduced the competitors. The following two days tested the crews’ gunnery skills with their respective armored vehicle with day and night live fire.
Sullivan, the Bradley crew’s driver, assigned to the 3rd Bn., 67th AR, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, said the most challenging thing about the Sullivan Cup was mentally pushing themselves to do their best and not make mistakes during each event.
The stress shoot and the Starry Physical Proficiency Test evaluated the crews’ physical fitness and team cohesion with back-to-back challenges in hot, humid weather.
The final challenge was Operation Thunder Run. Competitors ran two and a half miles to Brave Rifles Field to complete several tasks, such as assembling a single channel ground and airborne radio system and reacting to indirect fire.
After the five days of challenges, the Spartan Bradley crew came in first place, making them the first Bradley crew in the Army to win a Sullivan Cup.
“Our Bradley and Abrams crews fought hard the last two weeks, showing grit and stamina,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jaime Lopez, the senior enlisted advisor for the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID. “We’re very proud of both teams and excited for our Bradley crew who gets to take home the title as best Bradley crew in the Army.”
The winning crews received a trophy and various gifts and Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Feltey, Armor School Commandant, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, knighted them into the Order of St. George, recognizing their excellence in the U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry branches.
“The Sullivan Cup is a rigorous test of technical skill and physical will,” said Col. Terry R. Tillis, commander of the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID. “We are extremely proud of our Bradley crew that exemplifies a cohesive, expertly trained team who are true masters of their craft.”
The Sullivan Cup highlighted the competency of tank and Bradley crews that got their start at Fort Benning.
“Our crew cohesion and the bond we’ve been from the very beginning has always been strong, but I would definitely say that this competition has brought us a lot closer together,” said Gaitor, the Bradley crew commander from the 3rd Bn., 67th AR, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID.
The 3rd Bn., 67th AR, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, is the same battalion that won the Sullivan Cup last time it was held in 2018.
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