PLYMOUTH, MAINE (05/19/2021) (readMedia)-- Soldiers of the 1136th Transportation Company had the chance to back up a little friendly trash talk May 13, 2021, as they finished out their two-week annual training with their traditional truck rodeo competition.

"It's a great opportunity to evaluate everyone's driving skills," said Capt. Lawrence Anderson, commander of the 1136th. "At the same time, it's a speed competition, so it builds camaraderie and helps retention."

The rodeo consists of several events that test soldiers' knowledge and handling of their vehicles, to include a written test, backing and docking, front stop, a serpentine, as well as preventative maintenance checks and services – PMCS, as the Army calls it.

The soldiers compete in two person teams, with the Commander's Cup going to the platoon whose teams amass the most points.

"They're competitive too," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Warren. "They want that trophy."

"Second platoon has won several years in a row," said Anderson, who is a state police detective in his civilian work. "But they're in for some competition this year."

"It's been competitive, there's been some banter back and forth," said Staff Sgt. Clint Lasselle, a squad leader with first platoon. "And it's a great way to test our knowledge and see what we need to work on in the future."

Lasselle is employed full time with the Maine National Guard, currently on active orders as an analyst with the counterdrug program.

Anticipation aside, soldiers will have to wait a little longer for the big announcement. The victor will be announced next drill after the unit completes their field exercise and tactical convoy training lanes.

Headquartered in Bangor with a detachment in Calais, the 1136th has a federal mission to provide transportation for the movement of various cargo – containerized, non-containerized, palletized, dry or refrigerated goods, and bulk water.

The unit consists of approximately 170 soldiers from across Maine and was originally formed in July of 1884 as a light artillery battery. The unit has deployed to Kuwait and Afghanistan where they received the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

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Captions

001: A truck team backs their M1088A1 tactical vehicle and M871A3 trailer during the alley dock event of the 1136th Transporation Company truck rodeo, May 13, 2021 in Plymouth, Maine.

003: A truck team negotiates a serpentine in their M1088A1 tactical vehicle and M871A3 trailer during the 1136th Transportation Company truck rodeo, May 13, 2021 in Plymouth, Maine.

004: A truck team backs their M1088A1 tactical vehicle and M871A3 trailer during the alley dock event of the 1136th Transportation Company truck rodeo, May 13, 2021 in Plymouth, Maine.

006: 1st Sgt. Steve Taggett, the 1136th Transportation Company's senior noncommissioned officer, observes training during the unit's annual truck rodeo competition, May 13, 2021 in Plymouth, Maine.

008: Evaluators measure the distance between the rear end of an M871A3 trailer and the stop line while scoring a truck team's performance on the alley dock portion of the 1136th Transportation Company's annual truck rodeo competition, May 13, 2021 in Plymouth, Maine.

Maine National Guard photos by Maj. Carl Lamb / Released

Posted Wednesday May 19, 2021 at 01:09 pm by Maine National Guard
Last Updated Wednesday May 19, 2021 at 04:22 pm