Best of the Best...

Sgt. Wayne Racine, a field artillery surveyor with Charlie Battery, Fires squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, fires a round in the prone un-supported position during the Dragoon Warrior Competition at Forward Operating Base Warhorse located in the Diyala Province, Iraq. The competing Soldiers are required to fire in three different positions; prone supported, prone un-supported and the kneeling position.
(SPC Opal Vaughn/14th Public Affairs Detachment)

Your throat is dry and swallowing doesn’t help at all. It hurts to breathe because your lungs feel like they’re on fire. Beads of sweat roll down the temples of your forehead. Your boots feel like cement blocks as you slowly pick up one foot after another; each foot dragging against the rocky surface of the desert sand. The blisters on your feet scream in agony as they rub against the insides of your boots.

SPC Opal Vaughn/14th Public Affairs Detachment

Evening...

For those tracking...happy hump day. We can't have many more can we? Ok, maybe a few...

The info hounds tipped a story that was carried in an Iron Strong Daily titled Dragoon Warriors Test Mettle. I really enjoyed this read - imagine the effort put forth by the warriors who represented each squadron from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. Think the competition was keen? You know it...

Reread the opening para above...what more could we ask of these warriors?

Chris, I love you buddy!

Winding down and taking care of business...I couldn't be prouder son!

Be safe!

v/r,
- Collabman

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Dragoon Warriors Test Mettle
Story and photos by:
SPC Opal Vaughn/14th Public Affairs Detachment

Your throat is dry and swallowing doesn’t help at all. It hurts to breathe because your lungs feel like they’re on fire. Beads of sweat roll down the temples of your forehead. Your boots feel like cement blocks as you slowly pick up one foot after another; each foot dragging against the rocky surface of the desert sand. The blisters on your feet scream in agony as they rub against the insides of your boots.

Can this be real? It’s 125 degrees outside and you are carrying over 60 pounds of gear meant to save a life. Now, imagine doing this every day except bullets are flying around you and your battle buddy is calling out for medical assistance and everywhere you step might be a possible Improvised Explosive Device.

This situation can be a reality and is the environment in which the Army trains its Soldiers.

A competition for bragging rights brought out some of 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment’s best of the best to showcase the training they received while deployed, during the Dragoon Warrior Competition at Forward Operating Base Warhorse located in the Diyala Province, Iraq.

Two-man teams were selected to represent each squadron at FOB Warhorse. “Each squadron was told to identify one non-commissioned officer and one lower enlisted Soldier to represent their unit in this competition,” said 2SCR regimental Command Sgt. Major Victor Martinez.

“Some squadrons chose to do boards, unit competitions and evaluations, to select their top Soldiers,” Martinez said. “The Soldiers involved will have to evaluate a casualty, qualify at the range, clear a house born improvised explosive device and a number of weapons tasks, just to name a few things.” In the past, most jobs in the Army consisted of field artillery, infantry or scouts. The new generation of Army has a healthy mix of Soldiers who work in many specialties. The same applies to the competitors for the Dragoon Warrior.

“There is a mix of medics, comm, infantry and supply Soldiers. They have no idea what to really expect,” said Martinez. “You don’t know if you’ll get hit by an Improvised Explosive Device or if you’re going to get shot at. The intent is to recreate what one might expect going outside the wire. There is no telling what could happen.”

“The Dragoon Warrior Competition is very physical,” Martinez stated. “These guys will be running all over the FOB to different locations. Each task is used to test the training knowledge these Soldiers have gained during this deployment. The faster that they get the tasks done the more points each team gets,” Martinez added.

Bragging rights for being the best can be a motivational booster for the competitors. “We all know Fires squadron is the best,” said Spc. Joseph Santoro, Company A, 5th Squadron, 2nd SCR.

“This competition is good for morale,” Santoro continued. “Each of us is rooting for our own unit to do well because we like a little competition. Some of the guys are coming here and looking real tired but they continue to press on because they want to be known as the best.”

Being known as the best and earning the title “Dragoon Warrior” is not for everyone though. “I’ve never competed in one of these competitions but I’ve been through plenty of boards to know that it can be tough,” said Staff Sgt. Kyle Stallings, Alpha Fires squad leader, 5th Squadron, 2nd SCR.

“Having NCO’s dually involved in the competition is a great way to build esprit de corps within the unit as well. If a lower enlisted Soldier sees me going through each task with him, he can be confident that as an NCO I lead from the front. And eventually he will continue the cycle when he becomes an NCO, knowing that his leadership is willing and able to do the same,” Stallings added.

Some of the events required during the competition are for one Soldier to act and the other to supervise. For example, evaluating a casualty requires one Soldier to perform first aid techniques on their teammate by giving them an IV.

At another station, the competitors practice their memorization skills while being put under intense stress. After which, the two Soldiers are required to then clear a house, laced with IED, an irate hostage and several booby traps throughout the house.

“The rifle qualification range is a big part of the competition too,” Stallings said. “The Soldiers are required to fire in three different positions; prone supported, prone un-supported and the kneeling position. All of the events are timed which adds stress to the already stressful environment.”

All of these tasks test the skills Soldiers use on a daily basis while deployed.

Each Soldier competing in the competition, hand selected by their individual squadron’s to showcase who the best really is ready, willing and able to bring on the competition. But there can only be one true “Dragoon Warrior.”

Platoon Sergeant, Staff Sgt. Ronis Gutierrez, with Charlie Battery, Fires squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment tries qualifying at the rifle range during the Dragoon Warrior Competition, at Forward Operating Base Warhorse located in the Diyala Province, Iraq.
(SPC Opal Vaughn/14th Public Affairs Detachment)


Staff Sgt. Christopher Coyle, a squad leader with 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, sits before a board of sergeant’s majors, answering questions that test his military knowledge. The board was just one of several tasks to complete as part of the Dragoon Warrior Competition at Forward Operating Base Warhorse located in the Diyala Province, Iraq.
(SPC Opal Vaughn/14th Public Affairs Detachment)