Each day of Spartan Week presented a new athletic challenge for all the soldiers assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team.
July 14 kicked off with a brigade run. The July 15 challenge was an obstacle course called Spartan Forge. On July 16, troops took part in a Battle-Focused Triathlon.
Each battalion put forth their toughest, strongest competitors July 17 for the Spartan 1,000 challenge.
“This (week’s) athletic battle is the last time the Spartan Brigade warriors will compete together in (their) entirety before the unit reorganizes later this year,” 2nd ABCT Commander Col. Scott Jackson said. “Today is one of my favorite events — the Spartan 1,000. It is a challenging competition that tests the strength and endurance of each battalion’s most-fit soldiers. The timed event is inspired by the ancient Spartan warriors, who were known for their fierce competitions.”
Jackson said the nine events for Spartan 1,000 included 100 pull-ups, 100 tosses of a 20-pound wall ball over the pull-up bar, flipping a truck tire 100 yards, pulling a 180-pound sled 100 yards, dragging a truck tire 100 yards, 100 pile drivers (with a 6-inch-by-6-inch post), a 200-yard sandbag throw, a 100-yard water-jug carry and, finally, pushing an up-armored Humvee 100 yards.
“It is designed to challenge even the strongest individual,” Jackson said. “Even when you are tired, you cannot quit. You must find your inner strength. You always find you have a little more fuel in the tank.”
The first three teams to compete in Thursday’s competition consisted of first lieutenants Jonathan Corns and Terry Hoover; Sgt. Adrian Perez and Pfc. Jerald Magnifico; and Sgt. Marvin Wright and Spc. Tilon Peyton. Corns and Hoover jumped out to an early lead, finishing the pull-ups and wall-ball throw before the other two teams finished the pull-ups.
Eventually, though, the team consisting of Capt. Marcus Brooks and Sgt. Alexander Houser, 2-3 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, emerged victorious.
“Today, every battalion came out support the competitors,” Jackson said. “It was a fun, challenging competition that highlights the pride and unit camaraderie among our battalions. ... I am very proud of the unbelievable effort put out by our Spartan competitors. Today, Capt. Brooks and Sgt. Houser shattered the Spartan 1,000 record by posting an unbelievable time of 25 minutes and change.”