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USTRANSCOM staff members compete in Checkpoint Challenge 2012

Release #120913-1 posted on Sep 13, 2012
By USTRANSCOM Public Affairs
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Navy Capt. Barbara Holdener, USTRANSCOM inspector general, strategizes with her team before they set out on the “Checkpoint Challenge” course. Photo by Davey Richerson, USTRANSCOM/PA

Navy Capt. Barbara Holdener, USTRANSCOM inspector general, strategizes with her team before they set out on the “Checkpoint Challenge” course. Photo by Davey Richerson, USTRANSCOM/PA

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Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marty Klukas, USTRANSCOM senior enlisted leader, explains the rules of the “Checkpoint Challenge” to the command staff participating in the training challenge.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marty Klukas, USTRANSCOM senior enlisted leader, explains the rules of the “Checkpoint Challenge” to the command staff participating in the training challenge.

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A team consisting of members of U.S. Transportation Command tries to decipher clues to finish one of their mental tasks during the “Checkpoint Challenge.”

A team consisting of members of U.S. Transportation Command tries to decipher clues to finish one of their mental tasks during the “Checkpoint Challenge.”

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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Warrior Park pavilion was filled with the sounds of workout activity and excited conversation during the race to the finish of Checkpoint Challenge on Sept. 6. So concluded the last physical training event led by Chief Master Sgt. Marty Klukas, U.S. Transportation Command senior enlisted leader, as part of the command’s "empowerment" quarter.

The challenge, planned by a team of junior non-commissioned officers and civilian personnel, drew approximately 75 TRANSCOM staff member participants. During the challenge teams earned points by deciphering clues that identified various checkpoints and answering command-related trivia questions. Checkpoints were scattered around the base and teams had to complete both physical and mental exercises at each.

"I really enjoyed the Checkpoint Challenge, because I was able to compete with people from directorates outside of my own,” said challenge participant Erin Strausbaugh, TRANSCOM manpower and personnel directorate.

Added Jesika Wilhelm, TRANSCOM operations and plans directorate and winning team participant, “The Checkpoint Challenge was more than just a standard PT session. It was a team challenge, which made it more interesting and more fun, which in turn made the hour of running go by fast.”

A tie between two teams was broken based on completion time, with one team pulling ahead by nearly five minutes. The ten members of the winning team were: Staff Sgt. Christian Bennett; Tech. Sgt. Naomi Lewis; Master Sgt. Mark DeArmond; Senior Master Sgt. Greg Miller; Sgt. Christopher Green; Sgt. Jason Holmes; 2nd Lt. John Lira; Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabriela Moreno; Tech. Sgt. Michael Gilkeson; Ms. Jesika Wilhelm and Sgt. 1st Class Michael Aaron.

                                                             - USTRANSCOM –