Ohio National Guard News

1-145th Armored Regiment hosts
inaugural Minuteman Ironman competition

Story and Photos by Capt. Phillip Patti, 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment

Ohio Army National Guard Spc. Steven J. Vondriska (center) prepares to be tagged in by teammate Sgt. Paul D. Bralek (left), who just completed the 500-yard swim as part of the inaugural Minuteman Ironman competition. READ STORY

Ohio Army National Guard Spc. Matthew T. Richardson completes the M2A1 clear-disassemble-functions check station before moving out to the six-mile ruck march.

Lt. Col. Perry M. Carper (center), commander of 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, stands with Pvt. Joseph A. Dokes (from left), Spc. Warren T. Conover, 1st Lt. Michael R. Crow and Sgt. Rashun Lawrence, members of the winning team at the 2014 Minuteman Ironman competition.

Ohio Army National Guard Sgt. Daniel J. Brautigam completes the M4 carbine clear-disassemble-assemble station before moving out to the six-mile ruck march.

STOW, Ohio (08-10-14) — Members of the Ohio Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, known as the “Panther Battalion,” hosted the first Minuteman Ironman competition Aug. 10, 2014.

The competition consisted of four-man teams and individual participants in multiple events — 500-yard swim, three-mile run, various calisthenics, several weapons tasks and ended in a six-mile road march with participants carrying packs weighing 50 pounds.

The Stow Police Department provided logistical support while friends and Families of the Panther Battalion cheered on participants.

Four companies from the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment participated in the competition. Tank Companies C and D, Headquarters and Headquarters Company and the 737th Support Company (Forward) all fielded teams.

The team heat was a closely contested event with the lead changing four times during the course of the more than two-hour race. Company D, known as “Destroyer Company,” was able to overcome finishing last in the swim event to win the overall team competition.

Five Soldiers competed in the individual heat, and it was Sgt. Daniel J. Brautigam who finished with the fastest time of 2 hours, 10 minutes becoming the individual 2014 Minuteman Ironman.

Each of the competitors reached deep inside themselves — exhibiting stamina and courage that invoked the Army's Warrior Ethos — to complete the physically challenging course. These Soldiers represented the Panther Battalion and of the Ohio Army National Guard well.