Warfighters Tackle Challenge

By Fort Lee Traveller StaffApril 2, 2010

Warfighters train
Spc. Ronson Eads climbs the first and most difficult of the obstacles on the Fort Pickett Air Assault Course. Eads, of Fort Lee's 217th Military Police Detachment, one one of several Soldiers who hoped to earn the right to represent the unit in the M... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT PICKETT, Va. (April 1, 2010) -- Soldiers from the 217th Military Police Detachment went through a series of mental and physical challenges at the Warfighter try-outs March 23-24 at Fort Pickett.

During the 18-hour competition, eight Soldiers and NCOs tested their mettle.

They began at 5:30 a.m. with a modified physical fitness test. Instead of the standard two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups and a two-mile run on the flattest terrain around, the competitors performed three minutes of elevated push-ups, three minutes of unsupported sit-ups while holding a 25-pound sandbag and a three-mile run.

Next, they battled through the Fort Pickett Air Assault obstacle course, followed by weapons qualification with both the M4 and M9.

Then, the Soldiers went through a 12-mile course of dismounted urban land navigation while stopping to complete Army Warrior Tasks and Drill along the way.

The competition culminated with a three-hour night land navigation event which ended around 10 p.m.

The competitors were transported back to Fort Lee to rest. They appeared before a board at 9 a.m. the following morning.

In the end only three Soldiers - Sgt. Leshawn Sanders, Spc. Steven Martin and Pfc. Danielle Duggan - were chosen to represent the Fort Lee Military Police in the 69th annual Military Police Warfighter Competition held at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., in September.