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"Iron Dragon" Keeps Soldiers Focused and Fit

By Spc. Shantelle J. Campbell

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs, 1st Infantry Division

TIKRIT, Iraq - Before 6 a.m., servicemembers throughout Contingency Operating Base Speicher gathered inside the headquarters building of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kan., to participate in the Iron Dragon Fitness Test, Nov. 19.

This is the first Iron Dragon given since the brigade deployed to Iraq this year.

It was created by the "Dragon" brigade's commander, Col. Henry A. Arnold, III, to "demonstrate the physical excellence within the brigade."

"[Physical training] is a part of our culture, and it's a significant part of our organization," said Col. Arnold. "It's a part of greatness, [and] it's a part of being able to survive on the battlefield ... it's something that should be done every day, because it's important for you."

Servicemembers throughout Contingency Operating Base Speicher participate in the Iron Dragon Fitness Test. This was the first Iron Dragon since the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, out of Fort Riley, Kan., deployed to Iraq this year. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Shantelle J. Campbell, 4IBCT PAO)

The Iron Dragon is composed of five events: push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, dips and a 3-mile run.

"What I've told all of my commanders and leaders to focus on, while we're here in Iraq is to be mindful that we don't forget to do routine things routinely like physical training and cleaning our weapon," said Col. Arnold. "This includes something as important as the Iron Dragon."

For Col. Arnold, the best part of the Iron Dragon was the end.

"Regardless of how well people did or did not do, everybody's pumped up [and] excited, because all the people who met all of the standards are excited by what they achieved," he said. "The people who didn't quite make it missed it by a narrow margin, [so] they know what they need to do. They're excited, and you can tell by their body language ... that they want to push themselves harder for the next month."

Spc. Kody Wynne, an Oklahoma City, Okla., native and truck driver with Company A, 701st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, out of Fort Riley, Kan., performs the dip portion of the Iron Dragon Fitness Test. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Shantelle J. Campbell, 4IBCT PAO)

After completing his first Iron Dragon Fitness Test, Staff Sgt. Roderick Reeves, the communications noncommissioned officer in charge with 3rd Signal Company, 3rd Division Special Troops Battalion out of Fort Stewart, Ga., said that the Iron Dragon is something he plans to participate in in the future and describes it as being "a perfect opportunity" for people to see how far they can push themselves.

"You have to lead by example," said the Savannah, Ga., native. "I strongly believe in the old mentality of, 'If you push the limits to the max, then your Soldiers are going to be right behind you, trying to push themselves too.'"

Eleven servicemembers passed the Iron Dragon Fitness Test and were given Certificates of Achievement for their accomplishment.

First Sergeant Brian Starns, the top noncommissioned officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, out of Fort Riley, Kan., executes the sit-up portion of the Iron Dragon Fitness Test at the brigade's headquarters. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Shantelle J. Campbell, 4IBCT PAO)

"Regardless of your rank, by the fact that you showed up here early this morning and by the fact you pushed yourself to do something you [didn't] have to do ... takes discipline and dedication to come out here and execute," said Col. Arnold, as he spoke to the participants after the last event of the fitness test. "For that, you are a leader."

The Iron Dragon Fitness Test is a monthly event open to anyone who would like to participate, and starting in January the fitness test will "hit the road," as it will be conducted with the other 4th Infantry Brigade units located on various forward operating and patrol bases throughout the Salah ad-Din province.