Fort Eustis obstacle course sparks competitive spirit, but itâs about teamwork
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Sgt. Patricia Martinez hefts one of five full, 40-plus pound jerrycans as part of Fort Eustis battle challenge competition on May 24, 2021. (Dave Ress, Daily Press/TNS)
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Tribune News Service) â It was the ninth event â dragging a 200-pound dummy some 33 yards to the finish line â that was the toughest at Fort Monroeâs âbattle challengeâ obstacle course contest.
A minute and a half earlier, Sgt. Patricia Martinez had sailed through the jerrycan lift and shift â carrying five full, 40-plus pounds to a shelf â and she nailed the next two shooting events, hitting a target with a laser-fitted rifle from a kneeling and then prone position. At that point, she was pretty much neck and neck with the soldier she was racing against.