GREYWOLF takes top prize at division stakes competition

By Spc. Sharla Lewis, 3rd AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div.July 12, 2011

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq -- Spc. Cory Penven, a scout with 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division sprints across the finish line of a two mile run during 36th Infantry Division's NCO and ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq -- Cpl. David Nagle, with A Distribution Company, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division conducts a six-mile road march as part of 36th Infantry Division's NCO and S... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq -- The 36th Infantry Division held its quarterly Arrowhead Stakes competition July 1 to name southern Iraq's Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter.

The competition was held at Contingency Operating Base Adder and hosted by 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division who also had individuals participating in the competition.

Cpl. David Nagle, with Company A, 215th Brigade Support Battalion and a native of San Diego, Calif. and Spc. Cory Penven, with B Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment and native of Summer's Point, N.J., competed against four other troopers from throughout the division's area of responsibility.

The competition began in the early morning with an Army physical fitness test near the House of Pain gym on COB Adder.

Upon completing the APFT, the Soldiers prepared their backpacks for the six-mile road march to the firing range where they completed a series of basic Soldier task challenges including firing an AK-47 assault rifle and administering medical trauma first aid to a simulated casualty.

Those participating in the competition said the physical aspect of the day was exhausting, though it only lasted until 11:00 a.m.

"The second mile of the run was bad," Penven said, "and the road march sucked."

Later, the competitors took turns sitting before a board of their superiors during a test of their Army knowledge in a rapid-fire question and answer session.

At the end of the day, the competitors, their sponsors and leaders from throughout United States Division " South gathered for dinner at the Coalition Dining Facility on COB Adder to award the winners and review the day's successes.

Six Soldiers entered the competition, but only two emerged victorious when it was all said and done. Nagle and Penven, the two representatives from 3rd AAB, received Army Commendation Medals, coins, backpacks and bragging rights.

Nagle said the competition was fierce, but that he was proud and confident in his abilities.

"It was a healthy competition," he said. "but I knew after the board that I had it in the bag. We earned this! We'll represent 1st Cav. all the way to (U.S. Forces Command)."

Penven said he wanted to start preparing to get promoted to the rank of sergeant, and Nagle nodded his head in agreement.

"This is just one step closer to getting promoted and one step closer to making a difference in Soldier's lives," Nagle said.