Fort Riley

The 1st Infantry Division is hosting the “Year of the Warrior” kickoff event March 14, celebrating resilience, teamwork, and exceptional leadership within its ranks. The Big Red One’s “Year of the Warrior” is the annual campaign of 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley to recognize and honor the Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division, their relentless pursuit of excellence, and their commitment to warfighting mastery.

The day’s activities will begin at 6:30 a.m. with a Division Run around Custer Hill, featuring an Apache flyover, followed by an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding participants. At 9:00 a.m., the celebration will continue with an exhilarating Warrior Competition at the Fort Riley obstacle course, where squads from each brigade will showcase their skills, determination, and camaraderie.

The morning will culminate in a Warrior Lunch at 11:30 a.m., honoring the competition winners with a ceremonial cake cutting featuring former 1st Infantry Division Soldier, retired Col. Greg Gadson, who served as a battalion commander in Iraq and lost both his legs in an IED attack in 2007.

The day’s activities will conclude at 1:30 p.m. with a Division Leader Professional Development conversation on perseverance, led by Col. Gadson. This event aims to highlight and celebrate the efforts of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley to ensure the readiness and lethality of our service members, civilian workforce, and families.