Photo By Staff Sgt. Hector Corea | Staff Sgt. Anthony Diaz, a chemical operator specialist and platoon sergeant with the...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. –It’s dusk and the sun slowly lowers in humid air over the woods of New Jersey. Brushing the sweat from his eyes, Staff Sgt. Anthony Diaz looks down his sights, trying to ignore the buzz of cicadas in the woodline. In the prone position, Diaz attentively waits for the command.
“Place your selector switch on fire and watch your lanes,” says a mechanical voice through loudspeakers.
As his grip tightens, eyes squint, and breath slows, the first of many shots rings out in the twilight.
Diaz, a chemical operator specialist and platoon sergeant with the 374th Chemical Company, traveled more than a thousand miles before finding himself on a weapons range in Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The Corona, California native traveled from his unit station for a reason – the chance compete among the best in the Army Reserve.
“I’m eager to compete and I want to put on a good show for the command,” said Diaz, an 11-year veteran of the Army. “The Best Warrior Competition is a way to stay as sharp as possible and continue to grow as a Soldier.”
Diaz is one of 42 competitors vying to win the 2014 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition. The multi-day event consists of various Soldier tasks and battle drills, including an 8-mile ruck march, Army Physical Fitness Test, rifle marksmanship, land navigation, and several mystery events.
“When it comes to [these competitions,] it’s like a fire comes to life inside Diaz,” said Staff Sgt. Ross Wilbanks, a multichannel transmissions systems operator-maintainer with the 453rd Chemical Battalion. Wilbanks is sponsoring Diaz during the competition by mentoring and coaching him.
“It’s interesting to see how other competitors boast, while Diaz is quiet and reserved,” said Wilbanks. “That’s because his actions speak for themselves.”
His actions have spoken volumes, both on and off-duty. He is an 11-year veteran with three combat deployments under his belt. From dismounted patrols to warrior tasks, Diaz brought his skills to the previous Best Warrior Competitions hosted by the 505th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade and won. He plans to use that knowledge base to win at the USARC-level and advance to the 2014 Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition.
“I’ve learned a great deal from my deployments,” said Diaz. “I want to represent the Chemical Corps with an airtight, exciting performance – perfection,” said Diaz.
“Target down!” says the mechanical voice.
Diaz has many targets off the range as well. Diaz is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business at California State University, San Bernardino. He is also a candidate for an officer commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. After that, he plans to devote at least 20 years of his life to service in the Army. Diaz feels the Army has been and will continue to be a focal point in his life.
“After high school I was faced with three decisions: school, work, or military,” said Diaz. “I chose the Army – one of the best decisions of my life.”
“Target up!” dictates the mechanical voice.
Diaz shifts in his fighting position. Pop. Pop. Pop. Targets go down in a cloud of dust.
“In all my time in two different [military] branches, [Diaz] is one of the most focused and disciplined people I’ve ever met,” said Wilbanks. “I’m sure he’ll come out on top.”
Hit or miss, Diaz said his experience at the 2014 USARC BWC will serve both his unit and himself in a myriad of ways. “I enjoy these competitions, they give me ideas to help me train my Soldiers,” said Diaz. “Even more, it’s a way for me to lead from the front and set the example for my Soldiers.”
“Ceasefire! Ceasefire! Ceasefire!” announces the loud, mechanical voice.
Diaz wipes the sweat from his eyes, dusts off his gear, and heads off the range, ready to confront the many challenging events ahead of him.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2014 14:04 |
| Story ID: | 134390 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Hometown: | CORONA, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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