Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Charlotte Reavis | U.S. Army Spc. Devin Singer, right, and Pfc. Edward Davila complete their medical...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT MCCOY, WIS – Spc. Devin J. Singer, food service specialist, 79th Service Sustainment Command, native of Morris, Ill., competes in the 2013 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition, Fort McCoy, Wis., June 23–28, to test his knowledge and to gain new experiences.
Singer joined the Army Reserve when he was only 17 and needed his parent’s permission. His dad stated to him that he was his own man and if that’s the direction he wanted to go then his dad would support him. However, his mother had a different opinion. She was a little more reluctant to allow him to join but ultimately give her permission.
“I kind of felt it was my sense of duty, since both of my grandparents had been in when I decided that the military was the route for me, I knew it had to be the Army,” said Singer.
Singer has now been serving for three years and has put his Army Reserve service to good use by participating in the U.S. Army Connelly Awards Program, a cooking competition that tests Army food service specialists' skills in the culinary field. The Connelly Awards has helped bring Singer a bit closer with his father who is a private chef on a ranch in Texas.
There’s some things you can tweak with your meal so I always come to him and say, “hey, I’m cooking this”, or “we’re working on this, you got any pointers,” he’s always there to help out, said Singer.
With all of the benefits that the Army Reserve was offering, Singer used the GI Bill, to attend Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where he is set to graduate this fall with a bachelor’s in kinesiology and associates in mathematics and biology. Singer wants to become a teacher and coach and he also is a certified automotive technician and a certified personal trainer.
“It’s about what you want to do, you can’t do things for the money because your heart won’t be in it,” said Singer.
While going to school Singer, became passionate for helping people. He went to the local Big Brothers and Big Sisters program and Boys and Girls Club to volunteer as mentor for young men. After going through background checks and meeting the parents and their child he would be mentoring, he would be able to start changing lives.
Singer has now mentored four young men and plans to keep being a volunteer for the organizations. “Their parents are just glad to have some positive role model for their kids,” said Singer.
When not in school or volunteering his time in the community, Singer likes to work out in mixed martial arts and Jiu Jitsu. After participating in several national competitions in mixed martial arts, Singer decided to take the Army Combative Course Level 1.
“They teach you to be and instructor. Now I’m able to instruct the Army way for Level 1 combatives.”
Though not qualified to certify Level 1 combatives, Singer can take this training back and pass on his knowledge to the rest of his unit.
With more than half of his obligation to the Army Reserve completed, Singer will be facing a big decision to continue serving. Singer has submitted his packet to the promotion board to be considered for sergeant but his first decision was to become an officer.
“Having my degree is always good, having my civilian education now opens the doors to be a warrant or commissioned officer,” said Singer, “I’m just going to be the best noncommissioned officer I can be.”
Singer plans are to complete his degree, become a high school teacher and coach and to stay active in his community. Although he is still young in the Army Reserve, he strives to be the best.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2013 21:29 |
| Story ID: | 109256 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US |
| Hometown: | MORRIS, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 187 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Doing what you love, by SFC andrew guffey, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
