New Mexico Minuteman - Fall 2011

B Co., 1st Bn. races away with TAG Challenge trophy
By Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Mallary, 111th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and Spc. Eric Martinez, 200th Public Affairs Detachment
The New Mexico Army National Guard
held its fi nal TAG Challenge of the year
at the Onate Training Complex Sept. 11,
2010.
This Challenge saw the largest turnout
yet with 18 10-member teams competing,
six more teams than last year. Also in
attendance at this year’s competition was
Gov. Susana Martinez and fi rst gentleman
Chuck Franco. Martinez took in the opening
ceremonies, observed the APFT and
spent time speaking with the Soldiers and
Airmen.
“The events and the competition from
the other teams was tough,” said 1st Lt.
12 NEW MEXICO Minuteman / Fall 2011
Tommy Truex, executive offi cer, Company
B, 1st Battalion 200th Infantry. “Our team
and the two Air Guard teams were neck
and neck the whole time.”
The two-time defending champs from
Company B, 1-200th Infantry once again
bested their competitors by winning three
of the fi ve events to take home the TAG
Challenge’s traveling cup.
“The 2nd and 3rd place teams were
really close, but 1st was a run away—Bravo
Company. 1-200th earned 400 points, Alpha
Company 1-200th earned 290 and Air 2
earned 250 points,” said 1st Lt. Michael
Roybal, Company B, 1-200th Infantry.
“This one was extremely important
because we wanted the traveling cup. You
can only win it once a year,” said Truex.
“That’s why we pushed ourselves so hard.”
The biggest hurdle for most of the competitors
was the Challenge’s four-and-ahalf-mile
ruck march with a 35-pound ruck.
“The ruck is the toughest event for most
teams because it’s not just you. The time
recorded is the time it takes for the last
man on your team to cross the fi nish line,”
said Roybal. “So you’re pushing yourself
to keep up with the rest of the team, and
everyone else is taking care of the last man
by pulling him along. It’s pretty brutal.”