20th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial "Triple-R Challenge" at Fort Bragg

At 0846 on 11 September 2001, five al-Qaeda hijackers smashed American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, thereby ushering in the Global War on Terror. By noon, 2,977 innocent people had lost their lives, to include 340 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, and 55 military personnel; foreign nationals from over 90 countries were killed in what remains the deadliest terrorist attack in human history.

Since that day of infamy, thousands of servicemembers have perished in the wars that followed—to include members of our very own United States Army JAG Corps.

It was in their memory that at 0846 on 11 September 2021—twenty years to the minute since that first strike at the heart of global democracy—seven participants in Fort Bragg’s memorial “Triple-R Challenge” stepped off in honor of our fallen comrades. Over the course of the next 3.5 hours, they conducted the 4-mile run, rope climb, and 10-mile ruck march in the forested sandhills of Fort Bragg’s notorious Area J.

I’m humbled to report that they all crossed the finish line!

CPT Chris Scribner of the XVIII Airborne Corps OSJA proctored the Challenge. His tenacity in logistically orchestrating the event—to include compiling the CONOP and Risk Assessment and securing the necessary approvals—speaks volumes of his selflessness, perseverance, and dedication.

*The participants gear up for the Challenge’s first event.*

*CPT Ditmore leads from the front in the first event: the 4-mile run!*

In no short supply of esprit de corps, CPT Kirk races to the race finish line; CPT Monea is on his heels! — *In no short supply of esprit de corps*, *CPT Kirk races to the race finish line; CPT Monea is on his heels!*

Moreover, having recently graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne School (at which he was designated the Honor Graduate), CPT Scribner had thereby completed the last of his JAGWAR membership eligibility requirements.

As such, the JAGWAR’s very own MAJ Chris Monti was on hand to formally induct him into the Order.

Photograph at right, above: The Honor Grad at Fort Benning.
At right, below: CPT Scribner is inducted into the JAGWAR.

After serving as Pacer at the JAGWAR’s previous iteration of the Tripe-R Challenge at TJAGLCS, MAJ Monti once again kept everyone motivated through the race and ruck; he joined CPT Scribner in conducting a rope climbing tutorial between those two events.

Undeterred by injury, SGT Vanwert showed off his rope skills. Bonus: Sometimes, even Green Berets succumb to rope burn. — *Undeterred by injury, SGT Vanwert showed off his rope skills.*
***Bonus****: Sometimes, even Green Berets succumb to rope burn.*

Additionally, an esteemed member of the JAGWAR’s Advisory Board capitalized on her home field advantage to attend the Challenge and cheer on its participants: the JAGWAR’s Ms. Stacy Craver (fresh off a 24-hour 84-mile track run) recorded the finishers’ scores, took action shots, and (wo)manned the water station! Her husband—a veteran of the U.S. Army’s 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)—also undertook the Challenge, and absolutely crushed the ruck march!

At the conclusion of the Challenge, MAJ Monti awarded the JAGWAR coin to the finishers; aching and drenched in sweat, they each shook his hand to receive the token of their involvement in this solemn occasion.

Just weeks after America’s final withdrawal from Afghanistan, the ceremony was a reminder that light yet shines through the darkness via the familial bonds of the U.S. Army JAG Corps.

The Fort Bragg Triple-R Challenge course was rich in symbolism, marked by 13 American flags to represent the 13 servicemembers killed at the Kabul Airport on 26 August 2021; they bear tragic distinction as the Global War on Terror’s final casualties.

These heartbreaking fatalities prompted remarks by MAJ Monti, which served as fitting bookends to the 20th anniversary memorial Triple-R Challenge. Just before SP, he led the participants in a moment of silence to acknowledge the more than 7,000 servicemembers (and 8,000 DoD civilians and contractors) who sacrificed their lives in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Then, at the “Finishers’ Luncheon” at the Blue Moon Café in downtown Fayetteville, he commended the finishers for dedicating their Saturday to honor the memories of those lost throughout twenty years of combat.

We will forever keep their brave souls in our hearts and minds.

The JAGWAR congratulates all who participated in this memorial event. You’ve brought great credit upon our Corps, and helped to keep alive the legacies of those no longer with us.