Photo By John Pennell | Pfc. Giovanni Aleman poses with the peak of Mount McKinley looming in the background....... read more read more
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FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - Pfc. Giovanni Aleman, an infantryman serving with 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division said he joined the Army because he wasn’t sure of what he wanted to do after graduating high school and the Army infantry looked like something he might enjoy.
“It’s like in the movies, you see all the cool guys running in the house breaking doors down, I wanted to be like them,” Aleman said. “If I’m going to be in the Army I’m going to be infantry - it’s the way to go.”
The Riverside, Calif., native was one of the few soldiers from the 1/25th SBCT handpicked to join the team of six Northern Warfare Training Center instructors.
Being physically fit and his “never quit” mentality is what he said got the attention of his sergeant major, who told Aleman about the McKinley summit climb and offered him the opportunity to join the team.
Aleman did not have a lot of cold weather or mountain training prior to joining the team but picked up the skills quite quickly, according to NWTC instructor, Staff Sgt. Zachery McGee.
Mount McKinley is the highest mountain peak in North America, with a summit elevation of 20,320 feet above sea level.
Aleman said that climbing McKinley is “the opportunity of a lifetime,” and with the Army’s support, it’s now a goal he can reach.
“Not only would this be the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Aleman said. “It’s something to be proud of.”
The soldiers began their adventure May 20, when they flew aboard U.S. Army Alaska Aviation Task Force CH-47 Chinook helicopters to the National Park Service base camp on Kahiltna Glacier at 6,800 feet.
Aleman said even though the training was difficult at times, he learned a lot from the stories his teammate shared with him.
“You build a bond with them and push each other to the finish,” Aleman said.
Aleman said even though he was already in good shape he knew there would be challenges, but he was determined to never give up.
“Probably the biggest [challenge is that I] will be physically and mentally tired,” Aleman said. [I have to] just keep going until I reach the top.”
There’s no quitting,” Aleman said. “Not only am I going up there – but I am representing my unit.”
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2013 16:12 |
| Story ID: | 108623 |
| Location: | FORT WAINWRIGHT, ALASKA, US |
| Hometown: | RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 141 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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