Spc. Sarah Bailey
703 BSB
JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. – Ten Vanguard Brigade Soldiers joined more than 250 athletes, May 19, to take part in Jekyll Island’s annual Turtle Crawl Triathlon.
The sprint triathlon consisted of a 400-meter ocean swim, a 14-mile bike ride and culminated with a 5-kilometer run.
“The race was pretty intense,” said 1st Lt. David Shedd, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, “but we all did really well and we definitely enjoyed ourselves.”
Shedd, a current operations officer, finished first in the 25 through 28-year-old age bracket, and finished 16th overall.
He said the team, better known as the 703rd BSB Multisport Club, prepared for the event by incorporating challenging fitness exercises into their daily Army physical training routine.
Other members of the Multisport Club—Lt. Col. Nathan Swartz, 703rd BSB commander; Lt. Col. Eddie Gillon; Chief Warrant Officer (4) Bruce Tingler; 1st Lt. Scott Curtis; Sgt. Luis Mata; Spc. Sarah Bailey; 1st Lt. Megan Riley and Chief Warrant Officer (3) Jason Wilson, 4-3 Brigade Special Troops Battalion; and 4th IBCT Commander Col. Kimo Gallahue helped the crew walk away with 8 medals, three of which were first place.
The team plans to tackle the Tybee Island Sprint Triathlon next, slated for June 10.
Spc. Sarah Bailey
703 BSB
As yet another school year comes to an end, Liberty County Elementary knows just how to send their students off in style with their annual End of the Year Field Day. The Soldiers of 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division have been working with the school throughout the year and offered to lend a helping hand during the event that took place, May 11.
Forty-five Soldiers of the Maintain Battalion spent their day helping with set up procedures and operations of the event booths. Many of the 703rd BSB Soldiers helped distribute refreshments. Spc. Brittany Wallace, Company C, 703rd BSB, was one of the Soldiers who operated the refreshment stands and she knew her contributions were worth it when a young girl thanked her with a hug.
“It was very rewarding to see how much these children actually appreciate the military in their community, and I am happy to have helped make a positive impact,” she said.
Another main job for the Soldiers was to help grade the competitions and races that took place throughout the day. Spc. Thomas Frato, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 703rd BSB, was one of the judges and stated the most enjoyable aspect of the day was, “Having an opportunity to interact with the students and getting to see firsthand how much their presence impacts the students.”
The partnership between Liberty County Elementary and the 703rd BSB is one that not only allows the Soldiers and opportunity to spend time with students in their community, it also allows for the children to get a chance to meet their local Soldiers and get a better understanding of who they truly are underneath their Army uniform.
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