Boots, Bonds, and Battle Buddies: Military Spouses Go All-In at Combat Spouses Day

By Jetta Allen

Photography by Jetta Allen and Anton Giese, courtesy of 4-2 Attack Battalion

Combat Spouses Day 2025 USAG Humphreys

Ready to Test Your Grit?

Think you’ve got what it takes? 4‑2 Attack Battalion invited military spouses from across the USAG Humphreys community to step into the action and experience a glimpse of what their service members face in the field.

This time, the battlefield belonged to the spouses. Teams geared up and took on a timed, ten-event course filled with physical challenges and military trivia. From grenade tosses to 200-pound LMTV tire flips, participants pushed their limits, testing strength, strategy, and determination under pressure. To add even more spirit to the competition, organizers threw in a bonus challenge: come up with a creative team name and rock a coordinated costume. The best-dressed squad walked away with extra points and plenty of bragging rights, and the team to place first walked away with four gift certificates for a one-night stay at the Dragon Hill Lodge at USAG Yongsan in Seoul. The stakes were high, to say the least. 

1st Lt. Preston Kerlegrand, the visionary behind Combat Spouses Day, welcomed all competitors with a smile.

What Is Combat Spouses Day

Combat Spouses Day mirrors challenges like the Army’s famed Best Warrior Competition and Murph Challenge. Instead of service members, Combat Spouses Day is open to spouses of every branch, an  intentional move that turns the USAG Humphreys garrison into one cohesive military community. Timed events, performance‑based deductions, and penalty seconds for rule violations keep the competition tight.

Spouses Sound Off: Pre-Event Reactions and Expectations

Before stepping onto the course, competitors were full of energy, nerves, and team pride.

“This event is a great way to challenge ourselves and see what our spouses go through, just challenge ourselves, have fun, and it’s probably only half of what they actually go through.” 

— Special Ops Spouses

“Super pumped and excited.” — Choppers and Chalk

“Going to kill this!” — Death Dealers Attack Squad

“Looks like a lot of fun.” — Duck and Cover

Obstacle Course Highlights: Strength, Strategy, and Spouse Power

At Collier Gym’s Soldier Field, spectators filled the stands. Children were cheering for their parents, friends were capturing every stumble and victory, and service members were rooting for their spouses. Each event was more than just a competition; it was a personal challenge for these military spouses, designed to reflect real-life Army training scenarios. This was a chance for spouses to prove to themselves that they had what it takes and to have fun while they tried!

Gas Mask Challenge: A Glimpse into Basic Training

In a nod to one of the most dreaded parts of Basic Training, the gas chamber, spouses took on the Gas-Mask Familiarization Challenge. For many soldiers, the gas mask portion of training is unforgettable, with burning eyes, coughing fits, and the difficulty of staying calm in a cloud of CS gas.

While this event was far less intense, it captured the urgency, discomfort, and skill required to wear the Army’s M50 protective mask properly. Competitors raced to open, wear, and seal their masks, offering a fun yet eye-opening glimpse into the challenges soldiers face during military training.

Combat Gear Relay: Speed, Strength, and Teamwork Under Pressure

Spouses went head-to-head in a high-energy relay, racing to gear up in an Advanced Combat Helmet, an Improved Outer Tactical Vest, a leg-mounted gas mask carrier, and a rubber M4 rifle.

Once fully suited, each participant sprinted down the lane and back before shedding their gear and grabbing a kettlebell for a final down-and-back run. The clock stopped when the last teammate crossed the finish line. Team members were encouraged to work together, helping each other carry kettlebells or remove gear to get across the line faster.

Grenade Toss Challenge: Aim, Accuracy, and Adrenaline

In this precision-based event, competitors aimed to toss dummy grenades into a designated target zone or, better yet, directly into the crate. Accuracy was key: each successful toss into the crate earned valuable time deductions to lower the team’s overall score. The clock stopped once all four team members had each thrown two dummy grenades into the target area.

Combat First Aid Drill: Medical Skills in Action

This event put competitors' medical training to work as they tended to simulated wounds. Teams worked to properly pack, wrap, and treat injuries, demonstrating knowledge and care under time constraints. 

Litter Carry Challenge: Teamwork Meets Physical Grit

Mixing comedy and cardio, this event was a favorite of both competitors and spectators. Here, teams worked together to take care of "Rescue Randy," a 180-pound dummy representing a wounded soldier. First, secured him to the litter, then raced down the field and back, trying not to drop poor Randy. It was a true test of teamwork, strength, communication, and endurance.

Slip-and-Slide Crawl: Mud, Momentum, and Military Spirit

Who doesn’t love a slip-“n”-slide! Competitors dove headfirst into a slippery challenge where water, mud, and speed combined to create a punishing low crawl. It was a messy, fast-paced scramble that demanded both determination and agility.

Obstacle Gauntlet: Tire Flips, Sled Drags, and Total Grit

Named the gauntlet for its boldness, this obstacle course was a series of tough physical trials, including weighted sled drags, flipping massive 200-pound LMTV tires, clearing hurdles, and heaving medicine balls over their heads, all designed to push every muscle and test your grit.

Combat Supply Relay: Strength and Coordination in Action

In this strength and teamwork-driven event, teams of four tackled a supply mission in a relay-style format. At the starting line, two teammates geared up with fully packed rucks and each carried two 5-gallon water jugs approximately 75 feet to a designated drop zone. There, they swapped the jugs for 30mm ammo cans and hauled them back to the start. The second pair then took over, carrying the ammo cans down and returning with the water jugs. Once both pairs completed the circuit, they finished the relay, testing their endurance, coordination, and giving them a small taste of what supply runs look like in the field.

Military Trivia Challenge: Brainpower Under Pressure

Military trivia events were scattered throughout the course, giving competitors breaks between daunting events. This event proved to be one of the biggest time traps, as these quizzes challenged teams on their knowledge of U.S. and Korean military facts, ranging from ranks and equipment to branch-specific details.

Command Perspective: Honoring Military Families Behind the Scenes

During the awards ceremony, Lt. Col. William Carrion, Commander of the 4‑2 Attack Battalion, emphasized the importance of honoring families alongside service members. “Soldiers always get thanked, but families need to be appreciated and celebrated just as much as us,” he told the crowd.

He extended his gratitude to the volunteers who helped set up, test, and run the event and gave special recognition to Collier Gym. Their flexibility in allowing multi-day access to the field played a critical role in the event’s success, supporting setup, course testing, and ensuring a smooth execution on game day. "The Collier Gym staff were a central force behind the logistics that made Combat Spouses Day at USAG Humphreys possible," he noted.

Lt. Col. Carrion also acknowledged support from the USAG Humphreys Department of Public Works, which provided essential course supplies like cones and hurdles. He gave special thanks to Dragon Hill Lodge at USAG Yongsan for sponsoring the grand prize for the first-place team.

Best of all, he confirmed plans to bring Combat Spouses Day back next year, promising more mud, memories, and meaningful moments for the military community.

Why Combat Spouses Day Strengthens the Military Community

With frequent relocations, unpredictable duty hours, and the challenges of living overseas, many military spouses face isolation. Events like this help bridge the gap where shared sweat builds instant friendships turning months of small talk into moments of camaraderie on a single obstacle course lane. 

Army veteran Autumn McGuffey shared she “signed up looking to meet other spouses and put myself outside of my usual comfort zone. I’m pretty introverted, so connecting with other people can be difficult. I knew that taking the leap to be put on a team would help me meet other amazing people, and it truly did! I had an incredible team and made friends in the process.”

One spectator shared a touching moment: a young boy running along the fence, cheering for his mom.

“As military spouses, we don’t often get to be in the spotlight where our kids see us accomplish greatness, but today, that boy was beaming with pride seeing his mom’s perseverance and strength.”

Combat Spouses Reflect: Real Reactions After the Race

When the last obstacle was cleared, and the clock stopped ticking, the stories didn’t end at the finish line. Here’s what some participants had to say about the experience—from the hilarious to the heartfelt:

“Harder than we thought but fun, especially with our group of friends.” — Courtney Cintron, Duck and Cover

“I feel accomplished and proud of our team—and of every spouse who powered through.” — Erin Thompson, Spousal Forces

“The litter carry was the best and most hilarious to watch.” — Rachel Couchey

“It also made me feel like a kid back in BCT again.” — Autumn McGuffey

The event “helps understand and experience what they (service members) do.” — Team Hooah Honeys

“Great way to challenge ourselves and see what our spouses go through.” — Special Ops Spouses

Combat Spouses Day Results: Winners and Top Teams: Who Crushed the Competition?

Best-Dressed Squad: Duck and Cover

First Place: Spousal Forces with a time of 13:21

Second Place: Hooah Honeys with a time of 19:08   

Third Place: Death Dealers Attack Squad with a time of 19:41   

Fourth Place: Duck and Cover with a time of 21:28   

Fifth Place: Seoul Survivor with a time of 22:07    

Other Fierce Contenders

TOOtooDependas

Battle Baddies

M&Ms

Special Ops Spouses

Choppers and Chalk

Every top‑three finisher claimed a 30 mm Apache shell engraved with the event date and the 4-2 Attack Battalion’s insignia.

Get Ready for Next Year’s Combat Spouses Day: Team Spirit & Tradition

Combat Spouses Day is more than a challenge; it’s a celebration of boots, bonds, and battle buddies, where military spouses go all in. They put trust in their team and and face each military-style challenge with the courage and resilience that only a military spouse can bring. Whether you're part of “Chopper and Chalk” and ready to board an aircraft or planning to show up as “Duck and Cover” in neon feathers, the event proves that when spouses stand together, the entire installation becomes stronger, prouder, and a little muddier at times too. Think you’ve got what it takes? Start training, get creative with those costumes, and we’ll see you on the field.

For more updates on events and activities from the 4-2 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, follow them at 4-2 Attack Battalion on Facebook.

For more stories about military life in South Korea, follow us on social media and visit our website for full magazine downloads, exclusive editorial articles, and special blog content you won’t find anywhere else!

Stay Connected with USAG Humphreys and Community Resources

Whether you're stationed at USAG Humphreys or planning to participate in the next Combat Spouses Day, staying informed is key to getting the most out of military life in Korea. Explore these helpful resources to stay updated on events, support services, and community news:

• USAG Humphreys Official Website – Find base updates, services, and resources for military families living in Korea.

• USAG Humphreys Facebook Page – Stay current with local events, announcements, and community programs.

• Dragon Hill Lodge – Learn more about this popular Armed Forces Recreation Center in Seoul, including lodging, dining, and special offers.

• 4-2 Attack Battalion Facebook Page – Follow the unit behind Combat Spouses Day for updates, highlights, and community engagement.

These links are valuable for service members, spouses, and families navigating military life on the Korean peninsula.

More Stories About Military Life in Korea

Want to explore more of what military life in Korea has to offer? From community events and cultural exchange to service member support and morale-boosting adventures, United on the RoK highlights the resilience and connection that define life on the peninsula. Check out these stories to dive deeper into the experiences shaping our military communities:

• Osan Air Base Air Power Days 2025: A Community Celebration of Joint Airpower

• Empowering Soldiers, Strengthening Communities: The Impact of the BOSS Program at USAG Daegu

• Celebrating Unity: KATUSA Friendship Week on Korean Installations

• Reeling in Memories: A BOSS Korea Deep-Sea Fishing Adventure Off the Coast of Korea

• From Blossoms to Beaches: Life on the ROK with BOSS Korea

• The King of Battle: The Legacy of the United States Field Artillery

• Service Member Support: Positive Attitude in the Military

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Each article offers a unique window into the strength, spirit, and service that make our military communities thrive across Korea.