Another win for Pioneer Battalion

Could a dynasty be forming in Warren County? First Sergeant Tim Howard sure hopes so.

The Pioneer Battalion JROTC Raiders repeated as champs over the weekend, taking the top spot in the ‘Bring the Sting’ tournament held in Fairview. The local Raiders were first in the male division, topping 20 teams in the field. The co-ed team placed fourth overall.

Following a win in Clarkrange just two weeks prior, the Pioneer Battalion had some confidence entering Saturday’s event. Work was still left to be done though and the Raiders went to work – using all their combined training and excellent teamwork to pull off another victory.

“(We felt) Strong and confident. Not cocky but confident. We were well organized with good student leadership,” said Howard, the longtime leader of the local JROTC program, on his team’s mindset for Saturday

In the male division, the Pioneer Battalion was the team to beat in almost every event – and no teams could come close most times. The Raiders won the gauntlet, the cross country rescue, a physical fitness event and the Highlander. In the rope bridge and rope climb, the Raiders finished second.

The events were a test of teamwork, endurance and critical thinking, all things the Pioneer Battalion has come to excel at after working as a unit since June. The Highlander, in particular, was a major workout.

Limited to 10 minutes, the Raiders had to have one person come up and throw a shot put as far as they could. The remaining nine members would jump into action, moving heavy equipment to the spot. The Raiders had to move two railroad ties, a weighted sled, five heavy ammo cans, big chains, wooden blocks and more to the shot put.

When everything was moved to the spot, another member of the team would take a throw and the process was repeated.

No team was able to keep up with the Raiders, who moved over 270 feet in the event. The co-ed team finished third in the same event on its way to a high team finish.

First Sergeant Howard had all kinds of praise for his teams after another day of collecting trophies.

“Words can't explain (how proud I am), considering how hard I see them wanting this,’ said Howard.

The group will get a chance to continue its winning streak soon. The Pioneer Battalion is set to compete in the upcoming Ft. Knox Raider Challenge, where it can make it three wins in a row.