316 TRS wins Col. Grunwalds final drill competition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Caelynn Ferguson
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 17th Training Group hosted a drill competition on the flight line June 22, pitting squadrons against each other at Col. Michael Grunwald Jr.’s last competition as their commander.

This is the 17th TRG's second quarter drill competition and the judges scored the students in four different categories; individual drills, regulation drills, exhibition drills, and the spirit of the squadron.

"The main goal for our team was to come out here and do our best whatever we were doing, whether it’s exhibition or regulation," said Airman 1st Class Charles Harris, 316th Training Squadron student. "We wanted to represent the 316th Training Squadron the best that we could and show them that we mean business."

To reach their goals, the select drill students practiced during off-duty hours to prepare for the competition.

"Hundreds and hundreds of hours to prep for one hour out here on the drill pad and man it showed today," said Col. Michael Grunwald Jr., 17th Training Group Commander. "As I get ready to head out of here, you never walk out of command happy, but I will walk out of here knowing that the future of our Air Force is in great hands."

After Grunwald finished his speech, he presented awards. The 315th Training Squadron won the individual drill competition and spirit award. The 316th Training Squadron won regulation drill, exhibition drill and the overall award.

Once Grunwald handed out the awards, Chief Master Sgt. Joanne Bass, 17th Training Wing Command Chief, talked about Grunwald’s last drill competition and gave a short life lesson for the students.

"One thing I learned from all this is that mistakes are going to be made," said Bass. "But the real deal is how you recover from those mistakes and every one of these airmen recovered remarkably. You guys are all champions. I could not leave without making sure we honored Col. Grunwald who, I see it every day, gives you guys huge kudos. "

Grunwald then thanked the training squadrons for their hard work and effort in the drill competition and training as he concluded his speech by releasing the students to go back to their dorms. This act ended the last 17th TRG drill competition with Grunwald as commander.