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81 TRG students compete in drill down

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Duncan McElroy
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Drill teams from the 81st Training Group competed in a drill down at the Triangle Drill Pad here Aug. 15.

Students from the 81st TRG were in attendance along with other members from Team Keesler.

The 338th Training Squadron Dark Knights took the first place overall title, with the 336th TRS taking second place and the 335th taking the third spot.

Drill down competitions are important because they allow the Airmen to not only work on and understand the importance of our drill heritage, but also let the Airmen be the best Airmen they can be through competiveness, said Chief Master Sgt. Robert Winters, 81st TRG superintendent.

Through friendly competition, the different squadrons of the 81st TRG are able to come together to cheer on and support their fellow Airmen, he added.

"These drill downs are a huge morale boost," said Winters. "It's squadron versus squadron, but at the end of the day we're all part of the 81st TRG. We are the world's greatest Air Force, and it's nice to show that in friendly competition."

In addition to boosting morale for the competitors and spectators alike, being a part of these drill teams offers something else-- a chance to become part of a special family.

"It's more than just a team, you're part of an elite group of people," said Staff Sgt. Jovanni Owens, 336th TRS military training instructor and 336th TRS drill team NCOIC of the. "You're close-knit, and you're family. You learn to work with different personalities. It molds everyone into one, and it's amazing when they can come together and work together."

For some Airmen, joining the drill team is something they have looked forward to since basic training. Airman Basic Mark Bynog Jr., a member of the 336 TRS freestyle drill team, set out to join the drill team the first chance he got when he entered tech school for Client Systems.

His favorite part of the competitions is spending time with everybody and establishing a family bond, Bynog said.

"I love the turnout of the whole squadron. Everyone comes together as a big happy family," he said. "We do it for them. We give them energy and they give it right back."

As NCOIC of the drill team, it's Owens' responsibility to ensure his Airmen maintain at least an 80 percent GPA in school at all times, keep accountability during every competition and weekly practices and keep his Airmen on point for performing retreat ceremonies.

Team members often practice on their own in the evenings, in addition to the practices led by him. Owens said that his Airmen were up until after midnight the night before the competition ironing their uniforms and ensuring they were completely squared away for the next day.

It takes around a month to create a routine, and then comes constant practice to perfect it, Owens added.

"I'm extremely proud of them, they sacrifice so much personal time," said Owens. "It's amazing to see them come together in one unit and perform. At the end of the day, 334th, 336, 335th, 338th, we're all winners and we're all going to get the job done."

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