Ruck march builds team cohesion between Airmen

Ellsworth Airmen participate in a team cohesion challenge as part of a ruck march at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Sept. 18, 2015. The team traveled approximately 8.5 miles from the Bellamy Fitness Center to Douglas High School, Box Elder, S.D. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Sadie Colbert/Released)

Ruck march builds team cohesion between Airmen

Second Lt. Corey Hayes, 28th Force Support Squadron readiness officer in charge (left), Capt. Benjamin Quintanilla, 28th Bomb Wing chaplain (center), and Senior Airman Lucile Perkinswagle, 28th FSS fitness center journeyman (right), perform pushups as a part of a ruck march at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Sept. 18, 2015. Approximately 10 Airmen participated in the challenge aimed at encouraging unit cohesion and critical thinking. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Sadie Colbert/Released)

Ruck march builds team cohesion between Airmen

Published Sept. 22, 2015
By Airman Sadie Colbert
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- The 28th Force Support Squadron hosted a team cohesion ruck march challenge Sept. 18 designed to encourage effective communication and test participant's problem solving skills.

Approximately 10 Airmen participated in the event that included traveling on foot a distance of 8.5 miles while alternate carrying three, 40-pound bags, two cartons of eggs, a 12 kilogram kettlebell and an American flag.

"There's a need [for] team cohesion in our Air Force," said Airman 1st Class Jordan McCollum, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintainer, adding events like this help people hone those skills.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Larry Reeves, GORUCK cadre, who assisted with setting up and conducting the event, said each facet of the event required team cohesion.

"No one is going to win any battle and fight alone," Reeves said. "It teaches them to work together as a team and pushes their limits by challenging them [mentally and physically]."

Tech. Sgt. Jessica Pinner, 28th FSS Bellamy Fitness Center director and event planner, added that Ellsworth Airmen can look forward to another rucksack team cohesion event next year.

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