First Lt. James Appel (right), the executive officer

First Lt. James Appel (right), the executive officer for Company C, 702nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and the company's first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Kristopher Rick, engage in a little light-hearted conversation, May 8, during a 12-mile bike ride on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., in preparation for JBLM's 20th annual Triple Threat Triathlon in July. The event will serve as Appel's first triathlon, while Rick is well versed in sport and has even completed an Iron Man race.