‘Mustang’ leadership assesses fitness, builds morale

News: ‘Mustang’ leadership assesses fitness, builds morale

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

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Story by Sgt. Quentin Johnson Subscribe To This Journalist

Sgt. Quentin Johnson

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment “Mustangs,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, perform dips during the Mustang Challenge, here, May 10. The challenge was a competition for the Mustang senior leadership, while some leaders from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd BCT competed as well. Competitors executed four events, three of which were timed, earning points for each one.

FORT HOOD, Texas – After five long miles, competitors dragged themselves in with exhausted looks ready to start the rest of the challenges that lay ahead, many with no idea of the physical stamina it would take to complete them.

Senior leaders from the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, “Mustangs,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, took part in the Mustang Challenge on Fort Hood, Texas, May 10. Some leaders from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd BCT participated as well.

The competition was an opportunity for the battalion commander to assess his leaderships’ physical and mental fitness while building camaraderie and morale, said Capt. Michael Hitzner from Nanticoke, Pa., assistant operations officer for the Mustangs.

“This (competition) is an assessment of where the leadership stands physically,” said Hitzner. “We want to promote that higher level of fitness in leaders so they can train their soldiers for the battlefield.”

“Seeing my leadership achieve higher levels of fitness during our time in Kuwait, I wanted something to help them keep that energy and focus on high standards of physical fitness,” said Lt. Col. Peter Sicoli, Mustang commander.

Comprised of five events, each with a minimum score to achieve, competitors had to perform in order: a five-mile run, one minute of push-ups, one minute of sit-ups, pull-ups and dips, with less than three minutes between each event for recovery.

“We wanted the events to be fast paced, starting with a run to put fatigue on each person,” explained Hitzner. “By having the events performed like this, it allows the competitors to really test their muscular strength and endurance.”

Hitzner stated that stress on a soldiers’ endurance is necessary to mimic the endurance needed during extended periods of combat.

Being new to the unit, 1st Lt. Aaron Scherffius said this type of competition was a first for him and was very challenging. “The five-mile run is full of hills, back-to-back events, it was mentally challenging.”

He said despite the challenges, the competition was a morale builder and great for leadership cohesion.

“Competing against other leadership in the unit, sections against sections, individuals pushing each other to do better. That is true camaraderie,” explained Scherffius from Burlington, Kan.

Everyone enjoyed the competition, said Hitzner. They gave 100 percent effort to each event and enjoyed the social aspect of the event.

“I was pleased with the efforts and participation we received from the challenge by all participants,” stated Sicoli. “They exceeded the standards, standards which I hope will continue to grow each time we conduct a challenge.”

Sicoli said as long as his leaders continue to push themselves and challenge themselves, they will reap those rewards.

“As our brigade leadership says, ‘We demand and reward excellence,’” he added.

Hitzner stated that the top performer received an award and all soldiers who achieved the standard score received battalion coins.

The battalion is scheduled to have another Mustang Challenge in the near future, added Hitzner.