Last weekend was Sapper Selection here at West Point. A day of physical exertion unparalleled by the other 364 days in the year…

106 Sapling Candidates came to the start line to compete for 30 slots to the Sapper Leader Course this summer. At the end of the day, only 57 of those original 106 even made it to the finish line.

The try-out consisted of 5 scored events – APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test: 2 minutes of push-ups, 2 minutes of sit-ups, 2-mile run), dead-hang pull-ups, rope climb, 5-mile run between 35 and 40 minutes, and a 12-mile ruck march/run.

There was also a gut-check of a smoke session that lasted about an hour. Fun times.

Zodiac PT... Get some.

I was the rabbit for the 5-mile run. I was supposed to finish in 35 minutes on the nose, but I got a little excited, and even the Garmin couldn’t keep me from finishing in 34:10. However, I am happy to report that 15 Saplings hung with me and received full credit for the run.

I took off pretty fast. You can see in the mirror that the Saplings had yet to catch me.

Here we are approaching the turn-around point of the 5-miles with only 3 Saplings in tow. More would join us as we slowed the blistering pace.

Then my Sapper Buddy – Jack Wittkamper – and I were the 3-hour pace-men for the 12 mile ruck. Anyone who finished behind our pace was a NO GO for the event.

The 3-hour standard bearer

Forever Sapper Buddies - Jack and Dave

I was impressed with the many courageous performances by the Sapling Candidates. I have no doubt that we will be sending a crop of GFD’s to the Sapper Leader Course this summer.

Essayons.

Never quit.