CrossFit WOD, September 5, 2022

Background: This workout is dedicated to Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis who died on August 28, 2013, while saving the life of a fellow soldier during an attack on Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan involving grenades, mortars, rockets, and a 3,000-pound bomb.

SSG Ollis was a Non-Commissioned Officer in B Company 2-22 IN. He lost his life after heroically shielding Polish Army Lieutenant Karol Cierpica from a suicide bomber, which took place after the two soldiers stood side-by-side and defended the base armed with only their rifles. SSG Ollis incapacitated the insurgent, but the vest detonated and mortally wounded him.

According to a write-up from Morning Chalk Up, SSG Ollis posthumously received the Silver Star, which was upgraded in 2019 to the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military honor that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army. SSG Ollis also posthumously received the Polish Armed Forces Gold Medal.

The workout was designed by SFC Joshua Coronado and CPT Brian Quinn. They wanted the number two to represent the 22nd Infantry Regiment in which SSG. Ollis served. Additionally, they wanted to focus on effort level among the participants instead of skill or experience in higher technical movements.

"This string of movements is going to keep an individual at a high heart rate throughout the workout. It can only scratch the surface of what it feels like to be in a combat situation like Michael found himself in. Adrenaline rushing, pushing through the fear, making hard choices, and pushing yourself beyond the normal threshold. Michael Ollis was in great shape during his time in service, always leading from the front. A 22-minute AMRAP was chosen so that individuals would have a number of rounds or repetitions to which they can strive to beat each time they do this, moving further, faster, and fighting harder each time in memoriam of Michael’s efforts that day." – SFC Coronado explained.

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