Since 1919
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archive
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Blog
    • Command Columns
    • The Family Corner
    • Tech Talk
    • 50th Anniversary of USAREC
  • More
    • Safety
    • ProTalk
    • Items of Interest >
      • Education Guide
      • Family Resource Guide
      • Pocket Guide
      • PaYS Website
  • November 2014
  • January 2015
  • Store
  • New Page
  • Virtual Education Fair
  • Reserve Recruiter Teaches ROTC
PictureFuture Soldiers participate in the mile team run portion of the Warrior Challenge Championship.
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, 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. 


Picture
Future Soldiers take the Written Exam Challenge.
Picture
Capt. Micah Ray tries to get four more push-ups from Pvt. Henry Sieck.