
Warrior Challenge
Championship
Retains Future Soldiers, Increases Referrals
By Capt. Micah Ray, USAREC, Minneapolis Battalion
Dec. 17, 2014
Facing limited funding and resources, Des Moines Company recruiters have developed a cost-saving event to retain Future Soldiers and increase referrals: The quarterly Warrior Challenge Championship.
Teams of FSes from several centers compete in a range of competitions. FSes affiliated with the center accumulating the most points win the Company Championship Belt.
The event starts with a weight and height measurement. Overweight FSes get a fresh 5500 filled out - which is maintained at the company level - and are counseled on how to get in shape.
The events incorporate measurable criteria and training that is of interest and worthwhile to FSes. Attendees are graded on:
Attendance is more heavily weighed since it allows the company to gauge FS commitment. If they’re not attending, it’s an indicator of a potential loss.
The written exam gauges commitment by demonstrating how well the FS studied basic training material.
The APFT push-up competition is set to loud motivational music with participants cheering on their teammates.
The warrior gauntlet is a mile team run with five check points of physical training and knowledge based events.
The intent is sending FSes home tired with the reassurance they made the right choice in becoming a Soldier.
Inviting parents to the challenge gives recruiters a chance to share their Army stories and reassure parents as well.
The price tag for each event is $200 to feed participants hotdogs, chips and drinks.
FSes earn certificates of achievement for providing referrals who enlist.
Retains Future Soldiers, Increases Referrals
By Capt. Micah Ray, USAREC, Minneapolis Battalion
Dec. 17, 2014
Facing limited funding and resources, Des Moines Company recruiters have developed a cost-saving event to retain Future Soldiers and increase referrals: The quarterly Warrior Challenge Championship.
Teams of FSes from several centers compete in a range of competitions. FSes affiliated with the center accumulating the most points win the Company Championship Belt.
The event starts with a weight and height measurement. Overweight FSes get a fresh 5500 filled out - which is maintained at the company level - and are counseled on how to get in shape.
The events incorporate measurable criteria and training that is of interest and worthwhile to FSes. Attendees are graded on:
- Attendance, worth (40%)
- Completion of the Basic Training Task List (BTTL), (10%)
- Written knowledge exam, (20%)
- APFT push-up competition, (10%)
- Warrior gauntlet, (20%)
- Referrals per center, 2.5 points per referral
Attendance is more heavily weighed since it allows the company to gauge FS commitment. If they’re not attending, it’s an indicator of a potential loss.
The written exam gauges commitment by demonstrating how well the FS studied basic training material.
The APFT push-up competition is set to loud motivational music with participants cheering on their teammates.
The warrior gauntlet is a mile team run with five check points of physical training and knowledge based events.
The intent is sending FSes home tired with the reassurance they made the right choice in becoming a Soldier.
Inviting parents to the challenge gives recruiters a chance to share their Army stories and reassure parents as well.
The price tag for each event is $200 to feed participants hotdogs, chips and drinks.
FSes earn certificates of achievement for providing referrals who enlist.