Courtesy photos It is not easy to transport someone in a litter for over 1/2 mile. That's exactly what these Soldiers did on the litter carries relay in the Patriot Challenge games at Fort Gordon recently. Each Soldier had a turn on a litter for about 1/8 of a mile. Soldiers from the 551st Signal Battalion underwent Patriot Challenge III as part of the Battalion's effort to build esprit de corps and unit cohesion amongst members of its organization. Every quarter during Holiday weekends, the Battalion gathers to participate in these challenges. Events included litter carries, four Soldier Army Physical Fitness Tests, ultimate football and basketball, volleyball, tug-o-war, crawling derby, and Drill and Ceremony competitions. Not only are Soldiers tested on their physical fitness endurance but also on their combat skills. Patriot Challenge IV will be conducted during the Memorial Day weekend. Everywhere you look in most activities you find noncommissioned officers in the midst of activities--encouraging, counseling, leading and making events happen. It is easy to understand why the Army leadership has designated 2009 the Year of the NCO. Patriots, watch and warn.

(Above) Soldiers from companies A, B, C, and D set out on the two mile run event after completing the push-ups and situps. Each Soldier is required to run two laps. Pictured ( left to right) are Staff Sgt. John Oriol (6), Pvt. Black Erik (4), Pvt. Erik Mims (11) and Pvt. David Arismendi (10). (Right) In the ultimate basketball competition are Pfc. Antwan Thorogood (8), and Pvt. Joshua Bready (10) going head to head. During this competition, Soldiers are not allowed to dribble or run with the ball. It is a pass and shoot game that depends on teamwork. (Above) Sgt. Jon Schein, B Company 551st Signal Battalion, motivates his Soldier, Pvt. Keoni Esteban, to ensure Esteban is pushed to the limit during the Army Physical Fitness Test sit-ups event. On the right, Sgt. 1st Class Hector Fontanez, Battalion S-3, ensures standards are met. (Below) Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Medina, 551st Signal Battalion command sergeant major grades Company B 551st Sig. Bn. Soldiers on their performance during the drill and ceremony competition. ( Above) Lt. Col. Charles Schrader, 551st Signal Battalion commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Medina, 551st Battalion command sergeant major, place streamers on B Co., 551st Sig. Bn. as 1st Sgt. John Schein, noncommissioned officer and Soldier of the quarter for the second quarter, accepts the streamers. During the crawling derby, 1st Sgt. Peter Robles, Company D 551st Signal Battalion, makes sure his team member does not come in last place. He encourages Pvt. Robert Venable, D-551 to a second place finish. Pvt. James Hayes, Company B-551, puts his all into ensuring his team gets first place. During this event Soldiers are competing in a test of endurance and ability to perform combat skills in the high crawl, back crawl, and prisoner of war crawl.