With water containers, Skedco litters and gas masks on hand, seven platoons from the 2nd Battalion “Lethal Warriors,” 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, wait for the command “go” to begin their 3.2-mile course Aug. 16, 2019.
During the course, platoons completed 200 collective pullups; a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear lane, where they donned gas masks; as well as a medical lane. The entire course required Soldiers to wear the Improved Outer Tactical Vests (IOTV), which can weigh as much as 30 pounds.
By the end, the fastest platoon was named the best “lethal” platoon in the battalion.
“The main point for this competition was not only to identify the most lethal platoon in the battalion, but also to build esprit de corps and maintain physical readiness for future training,” said 2nd Lt. Samuel J. Wendte, the coordination officer for the competition with 2nd Bn., 12th Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT.
The battalion spent last year deployed to Afghanistan and this year, it has supported cadet summer training in Kentucky — all while preparing to send assets from the battalion to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in the fall with the brigade.
“It was an opportunity to bring the Soldiers all back together in one location and get back into the swing of things with a little added fun,” Wendte said. “Soldiers were motivating and helping each other throughout the entire competition and that’s how you come together as a team (or) unit, by going through difficult and challenging situations.”
At the end of the competition, points were compared and a winner was announced. The Soldiers of Headquarters Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Bn., 12th Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT, earned the “lethal” title.
“Our motivation was initially just to beat the other platoon in our company …, but we ended up winning, which is great,” said Sgt. Wesley Brand, an infantryman with the winning platoon. “It’s a pretty cool feeling to know that we are the best platoon in the entire battalion, so everyone has to catch up to us now.”
Brand said teamwork was key to winning the competition. He and his teammates rely on each other for motivation to accomplish any mission, he said.
