Soldiers Earn Commander’s Cup Honors

Local soldiers participating in the Missouri Army National Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program recently competed for the Commander’s Cup Trophy. Company A soldiers based out of St. Joseph proudly took home the prize.

“Eight companies competed for the Commander’s Cup,” stated Staff Sgt. Michael Thomas, the RSP Coordinator for Company A. “I am extremely pleased with all of my soldiers. Our main goal for the weekend was to take all of our RSP soldiers to Fort Leonard Wood and let them experience a taste of basic training. All the events that are graded and used to determine the trophy winner are tasks that the soldiers must successfully complete while they are at basic training.”
Thomas stated that he encouraged his soldiers to work as a team and to ensure their safety.
“Also, we wanted to win the Commander’s Cup, of course,” Thomas said.
Staff Sgt. Barry W. Adwell of the recruiting office in Maryville and Staff Sgt. Jordan Bennett of the recruiting office in Trenton were among several National Guard recruiters present for the event at Fort Leonard Wood.
“We provided assistance to the soldiers during the obstacle courses, and we were all assigned specific responsibilities to complete,” Adwell said.
Both recruiters ssaid the competition held at Fort Leonard Wood gives each soldier a sense of belonging and accomplishment.
“The soldiers were given the experience to complete various obstacles in addition to the land navigation and physical training tests,” Bennett said. “It gives them great hands-on training and helps them get over any nervousness they might have for basic training.”
Pvt. Megan George of Kansas City competed in the event with Company A.
“This has helped me gain more skills,” he said. “And now I feel much more confident with all the drill and ceremony procedures.”
Attending the competition as a guest, Kristin Lavely of Spickard said, “This is my first time doing something like this. It is very empowering. I was terrified at first but now I am glad I decided to do it.”
After attending the RSP weekend, Lavely completed her enlistment for six years of service with the National Guard.
Other soldiers from Company A were more seasoned with past trips to Fort Leonard Wood under their belts.
“I think I’ve been here three or four times,” said Pvt. Rashel Hall, now of St. Joseph.
Because of school, Hall has not been able to attend basic training yet.
“I still find challenges each time,” she stated. “There’s always one obstacle that still frustrates you, but it’s great to finally get past the fear.”
The obstacles require balance, strength management, flexibility, endurance and many of the obstacles require performing these abilities while several feet in the air.
“A lot of the soldiers coming in the military are afraid of heights,” Thomas said. “Many obstacles are easy when performed on the ground, but move those obstacles to 15-plus feet, and it makes them much more challenging.”
Each obstacle had recruiters or experienced soldiers assisting with technique and to provide security and safety for the soldiers. There was also great emphasis on the land navigation competition and the physical training tests which required push-ups, sit-ups, and a one mile run.
“Our soldiers displayed a high morale and did a good job on the physical training test, and that really gave them an edge,” Adwell said.
Though the soldiers gave it their all during the two-day competition, much of their success is due to the time and dedication of the recruiters and instructors.
“We did our best to make sure all of our soldiers knew the required information,” Bennett said.
“We don’t really do anything special,” Bennett said. “We conduct every drill the same without going to special measures.”
Thomas added that he and the fellow recruiters do what they can to keep the soldiers prepared for success.
“A lot of times these young soldiers just need confidence to overcome their fears and confidence to stretch their abilities,” Thomas said. “We just let them know that we expect the very best from them.”