Next week, for the first time, 1st Cavalry Division will hold a best squad competition on Fort Hood, Texas. From May 9-11, four teams made up of 5 CAV Troopers will compete against each other for the title of “Best Squad.”
Events will consist of the Army Combat Fitness Test, day and night land navigation courses, an obstacle course, lanes with Warrior tasks and a culminating 12-mile ruck much.
The most influential level of leadership is at the Squad – where the majority of our Troopers reside. “Squad” extends beyond a traditional infantry squad to any small-unit group of Troopers, connected by a squad leader, who has the most direct impact on their lives. Soldiers never fight alone, the unbreakable bonds forged through shared hardship and unending support for one another are the hallmark of our most successful small units.
Traditionally, best squad competitions were not offered to non-infantry units and were 9-man squads. That means squads can form from parts of a traditional infantry squad or vehicle platform crews such as tanks or Strykers. Leaders could also choose a squad from across a headquarters.
The small unit skills testing also parallels recent experimentation in running more frequent individual soldier training standards, such as the Expert Soldier Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge and the Expert Field Medical Badge. Which the Division will also host later this month.
The winners of the 1st Cavalry Division Best Squad will compete in the III Corps best Squad competition.
1st CAV Division Public Affairs will host media representatives who want to cover the competition on Tuesday, May 10 and Wednesday, May 11.
Media desiring to cover this event must RSVP to Staff Sgt. Ashley Dotson at [email protected] or 254-371-5166 than 5 p.m. on May 6.
A public affairs representative will meet the media at the south parking lot of Marvin Leath Visitors Center located on T. J. Mills Blvd. at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday for an escort to cover the scheduled events for the day.
The 1st CAV Division Public Affairs office will provide additional information on the timeline for Wednesday, May 11, once it becomes available.