August 24, 2012
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Vol. 70 No. 34 Aug. 24, 2012 Word of the month: Confidence Team of Year EOD earns top honors By Andrea Sutherland Mountaineer staff A three-man explosive ordnance disposal team from Fort Carson emerged victorious in the EOD Team of the Year competition held Aug. 13-17 at Fort Knox, Ky. “It was humbling,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Thompson, team leader, 663rd Ordnance Company, 242nd EOD Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group (EOD). “We competed against many EOD Soldiers and we competed in front of the entire command.” Thompson, along with Staff Sgt. Josue Sandoval and Sgt. Matthew Bagley, completed a dozen EOD tasks and defeated four EOD teams from across the U.S. to earn the title. Last held in 2001, this year marked the first time EOD Soldiers participated in the competition due to frequent deployments in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. “For the EOD world, this is the Best Ranger or Best Sapper (competition),” Thompson said. “There wasn’t a lot of separation between first and last.” Competition officials said only a few points separated the field, which consisted of top teams from the 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Campbell, Ky.; 49th Chemical Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas; and the 111th Ordnance Group (EOD), a National Guard unit from Alabama. “Being able to compete against the best EOD techs in the field, it’s an accomplishment,” said Sandoval. “This was basically the (U.S. Army Forces Command)- level competition,” said Capt. Clay Kirkpatrick, commander, 663rd Ord. “The ultimate goal is for next year to make this a (Department of the Army)-level competition.” Hosted by the 20th Support Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield explosives), the competition tested Soldiers with improvised explosive device, chemical ordnance and multiple conventional ordnance scenarios. It also measured basic Soldier skills such as land navigation and weapons qualification. “It was challenging,” said Bagley. “I honestly didn’t think I was that good.” The teammates said remaining focused on one task at a time was essential. “Staying motivated (throughout the competition) was tough,” Sandoval said. “You only had 30 minutes to an hour to rest and reset before going back out for the next mission.” “Individually, nothing we did was all that difficult,” said Photo by Marvin Lynchard Thompson. “(Competition officials) did the best they could Staff Sgt. Christopher Thompson, team leader, 663rd Ordnance Company, 242nd Explosive Ordnance to throw everything at us. Focusing on that specific task was Disposal Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group (EOD), performs EOD chemical warfare duties while in full the biggest challenge.” MOPP gear Aug. 15 during the EOD Team of the Year competition. Thompson’s team won the competition held at Fort Knox, Ky., Aug. 13-17. See EOD on Page 4 Message board INSIDEINSIDE Privately owned weapons firing range event Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. From Specker Avenue turn on Cobra Lane near Gate 20. Turn right at tank trail and follow red safety flag. Page 10-11 Page 13 Pages 22-23 2 MOUNTAINEER — Aug. 24, 2012 MOUNTAINEER WLC honors Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Joseph Anderson Garrison Commander: Ethos guides lives on, off battlefield Col. David L. Grosso Commentary by Sgt. Tawana G. Middleton his or her life for that of a fellow Soldier? Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: Warrior Leader Course graduate We become proficient in our warrior tasks and battle Dee McNutt drills and even our military occupational specialties. Chief, Print and Web Communications: The Warrior Ethos compels Soldiers to fight through all My mission is to train my team so that they can take my conditions to victory no matter how much effort is required. place once I am gone, to mentor them into well-rounded, Rick Emert It is the Soldier’s selfless commitment to the nation, trustworthy leaders who genuinely care. I believe the Editor: Devin Fisher mission, unit and fellow Soldiers. It is the professional Warrior Ethos entail essential qualities of character needed Staff writer: Andrea Sutherland attitude that inspires every American to build an effective team of warriors. When Happenings: Nel Lampe Soldier. Warrior Ethos is grounded in I see someone walk by wearing the uniform, refusal to accept failure. It is developed and I judge that Soldier. I assume the nature Sports writer: Walt Johnson sustained through discipline, commitment of the person wearing it is that of a trusted, Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall to the Army values and pride in the Army’s dignified, tough and loyal individual. heritage. Our Army values guide my way The Warrior Ethos was written for our This commercial enterprise newspaper is on every journey, every mission in which men and women in uniform, but its utility, an authorized publication for members of the I set out to tackle. I hope, will not be limited to the sphere of Department of Defense. Contents of the The history and the progression of literal armed conflict. We all fight wars in Mountaineer are not necessarily the official noncommissioned officers should be ever- our work, with our Families and abroad view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the Department of the Army. Printed circulation prevalent in our subordinate’s minds as they in the wider world. Each of us struggles is 12,000 copies. are the future leaders, mentors and coaches. every day to define and defend our sense The editorial content of the When I hear the Warrior Ethos, I feel of purpose and integrity, to justify our Mountaineer is the respon sibility of the Public strength. I look at those who stand beside existence on the planet and to understand, Affairs Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, me; I think we all feel the same emotions. if only with our own hearts, who we are Tel.: 526-4144. The e-mail address is Sgt. Tawana G. Middleton [email protected]. We are not connected to each other by and what we believe in. We are all warriors. The Mountaineer is posted on the marriage or birth. We come from different Warrior Ethos award We are trained to be warriors. As such, Internet at http://csmng.com. backgrounds, cities, faiths and cultures. We we have a code, a set of ethos to live by, The Mountaineer is an unofficial do not look alike nor sound alike. 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