Warrior Day offers change of pace for WTB Soldiers

By Spc. Aaron CarpenterMay 30, 2008

FORT LEWIS, Wash. - The weather was changing but there were plenty of bright spots May 20 as Warrior Day kicked off at Cowan Stadium.

The Warrior Transition Battalion and Madigan Army Medical Center teamed up for a friendly competition for WTB Soldiers.

A golf tournament and banquet dinner followed the next day as the finishing touches of an event focused on camaraderie and team building.

The events at Cowan Stadium required Soldiers to complete a series of warrior tasks and adaptive skills.

"(The event) is a chance to honor and recognize Soldiers that come together from different units," said Capt. Sherri Zimmerman, B Company, WTB.

Each company could enter up to two teams per venue. A team's size varied on an event basis but four-person teams negotiated the four warrior task stations, with each member graded individually.

The four warrior skills stations were: M16 clearing procedures and parts identification, evaluating a casualty, application of bandages and tourniquets and using a radio to call in a size, activity, location, unit, time and equipment report.

Soldiers were checked off on a series of tasks to evaluate their proficiency in skills that are vital for today's Soldier.

"We try to throw variables into it because it's an ever changing situation out there on the battlefield," said Staff Sgt. Robert McCllymond, A Company WTB squad leader and proctor for the 'evaluate a casualty' station.

The other main skill set for today's Soldier is physical fitness.

The WTB Soldiers competed in the following adaptive skills competitions: seated volleyball, 400-meter walk relay and 400-meter run relay.

"Events like this really get us together," Spc. Jason Boyd, C Company WTB said. "It's fun to go out have some unit cohesion."

The event was a change of pace for many WTB Soldiers.

"We're always busy with appointments all the time," Boyd said. "We're just learning again how to be competitive and be back on our spirit."

Warrior Day wasn't just for the Soldiers, there were plenty of activities for children as there were a bounce house and train, favorites at the Enlisted Spouses' Club monthly barbecue.

Warrior Day also had a barbecue with all-you-can eat hot dogs, hamburgers and desserts.

There were plenty of refreshments to wash down the barbecue and various cookies, chocolates and cupcakes.

A raffle was held to give away three mountain bikes, golf clubs, hats and balls, DVD players, MP3 speakers, lunch boxes and a digital camera.

Afterwards individuals could peruse booths set up by vendors to find more information about local businesses.

Spc. Aaron Carpenter is assigned to I Corps Public Affairs.