Sustainers unwind with paintball

Spc. Nestor Reyes, a supply specialist with the 3d ESC, gears up in preparation for paintball at the Paintball Asylum in Louisville, Ky, March 6 2013. The Soldiers were participating as part of the Warrior Adventure Quest program, which is considered a training tool for Soldiers who recently redeployed. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Justin A. Silvers)
You may remember that last week, the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) returned from their tour of Afghanistan. This week they send us the story of how some are unwinding from their deployment;

Louisville, Kentucky (Mar. 11, 2013)
Photos and Story by : U.S. Army Sgt. Justin A. Silvers

Soldiers from the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) participated in paintball activities March 11 at Paintball Asylum in Louisville, Ky.

The paintballing was part of the Warrior Adventure Quest program. The program was available to all Soldiers in the 3d ESC and was free for those who participated. The WAQ program was designed for Soldiers returning from a recent deployment.

The program is considered a training tool and helps provide Soldiers ways to cope after deployment and serves to provide alternative activities to express abnormal behavior.

Spc. Cory Malone, an information technology specialist with the 3d ESC, enjoyed his time during paintball and said he felt the paintball helps recently deployed Soldiers.

“You come back from deployment, a lot of people kind of get closed in,” said Malone. “It’s teambuilding, morale building, helps relieve all that stress and tension you have built up.”

Sergeant 1st class Arrick Jones, the noncommissioned officer in charge
of mobility at the 3d ESC, also felt the paintball helped Soldiers returning from deployment

“They had juniors and seniors out there and having a good time, teamed up against each other, teamed with each other,” said Jones.
“When you actually have something besides work to talk about it makes people a little more comfortable around you.”

While paintballing may not be for everyone, Jones recommends it and plans to go again.

“I would recommend it to everybody,” said Jones. “It’s not to be taken lightly, but I would definitely recommend it.”

Spc. Kayla Olson, cable system installer and maintainer with the 3d ESC, takes cover behind an inflatable during paintball at the Paintball Asylum, Louisville, Ky, March 6, 2013. The Soldiers were participating as part of the Warrior Adventure Quest program, which is considered a training tool for Soldiers who recently redeployed. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Justin A. Silvers)

CW2 Steven Ervin, the senior food advisor with the 3d ESC, returns fire while maintaining cover during paintball at the Paintball Asylum in Louisville, Ky, March 6, 2013. The Soldiers were participating as part of the Warrior Adventure Quest program, which is considered a training tool for Soldiers who recently redeployed. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Justin A. Silvers)

Category: Politics