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Published Monday, November 30, 2009 in Local

Newnan soldier completes 96-hour Warfighter Challenge

By RANDY ROUGHTON

Hometown News Service

As he staggered across the finish line after a 15-mile endurance march with flak vest, helmet, rifle and a nearly 60-pound backpack, the son of a Newnan couple had the feeling of sheer relief.

Bone-weary and exhausted, he had just finished the Army's grueling, 96-hour, 12-event Warfighter Challenge at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. -- an event designed to test the abilities of the best soldiers from the military police corps, commonly known as MPs. Army Spec. Jason A. Owens, son of Robert M. and Cynthia S. Owens, of Newnan, helped make up a three-man team and competed among 34 teams in the 13th annual MP competition.

The Warfighter Challenge tests soldiers in the MP, corrections specialist, and criminal investigation special agent career fields in a variety of MP skill-specific tasks, along with mental and physical fitness. Owens is assigned to the 108th Military Police Company (Air Assault), Fort Bragg, N.C.

"I am here competing against other military police in physical and mental challenges with little sleep to determine who is the best," said Owens.

During four days of competition, with little to no sleep, the soldiers stretched their endurance, strength and skills to the limit. The competitors faced a physical fitness assessment that included push-ups, sit-ups with 25-lb. weights, pull-ups and a six-mile run in uniform. They then were given the added stress of pushing a loaded Humvee vehicle as a team.

"The constant rucksack marches have torn my team's feet up," said Owens.

The second day was filled with military-styled obstacles. The competitors climbed rope netting to the top of a 35-foot tower, then rappelled down the face of the "Warrior Tower" wall. They then crawled through water, sand and mud, dragged a 200-pound dummy under concertina wire, then on to a run using a field stretcher. They fired 9 mm pistols, M-4 rifles and performed vehicle inspections, looking for bombs attached to the undercarriage or under the hood. These soldier competitors never knew what to expect next.

On the final day, soldiers negotiated an 11-mile path that snaked through the woods, stopping at various stations, where they placed claymore mines, assembled weapons, performed battlefield first aid, reacted to simulated media reporters, and also entered a mock urbanized city complete with actors in Arab clothes, some of whom posed as enemy insurgents.

They had a written examination on topics such as military police corps history, leadership and map reading skills. Other tests included reacting to a chemical attack as well as unexploded ordnance. They then topped off the competition with the 15-mile endurance march.

Getting to the competition, however, was often as painful as the Warfighter Challenge itself.

"To prepare, we practiced military police battle drills and worked on weight training," said Owens.

The MP challenge is designed to promote esprit de corps within their ranks, while challenging their physical endurance and teamwork. Each team consisted of a sergeant or corporal team leader and two subordinates.

Owens' experience and military training prepared him for Warfighter Challenge.

"I have been in the Army for three years and my unit is currently preparing for deployment," said Owens.

Although Warfighter Challenge situational tests were not real battlefield events, those who made their way to Ft. Leonard Wood demonstrated the limits an MP soldier could potentially face. The skills tested help make them better at what they do and may ultimately help save lives on the battlefield.

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