Photo By Sgt. William Battle | Spc. Zacharay Nickles, operating room specialist for the 807th Medical Command...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - With a competitive spirit forged by sibling rivalry, Spc. Zachary Nickels is determined to be the best of his brothers and sisters in uniform at the 2014 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition.
Hailing from Montgomery, Illinois, he represents the 801st Combat Support Hospital Fort Sheridan, Illinois.
The youngest of four children, all of whom serve in the military, Nickels comes from a family with a deep military connection. Both of his brothers serve as staff sergeants, his sister is a captain in the Air Force, his brother-in-law is retired from the Navy, and he has multiple aunts and uncles that have all served in the Marines.
“In addition to being an Army Reserve Soldier and a very competitive person, that also makes me a competitive athlete,” he said.
While he loves to play every sport, his dream is to one day play in the U.S. Open. His fascination with golf started when he worked as a caddy at the age of 13 and he can be found at the golf course once or twice a week with various family members.
“It's a game that is much more enjoyable when you are spending that time with your family” he said.
While he does not feel that he is at the level he needs to be to compete as a professional, he feels that he is getting very close.
“I've got a few things to work on,” said Nickles.
His love of sports, combined with his dedication to serving his community, has led him to coaching eighth grade boys basketball at Annunciation Grade School in Aurora, Illinois.
While the children he coaches do not know about his participation in this competition, there are things that he has learned from this experience that he can carry over to help the children excel, not only in sports but in their every day lives.
“I know there will be things that I can carry on and teach,” he said.
While he does enjoy competition and rising above his opponents, Nickles states that his biggest competition is always himself.
“There's only one person that I have to compete against and that's myself” he said.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2014 10:47 |
| Story ID: | 134346 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 429 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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