Photo By Staff Sgt. Hector Corea | Sgt. Adalberto Reyes, a military policeman with the 301st Military Police Company,...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --The air is damp and still in the early morning twilight. Before the first rays of light shine through the dense forests and heavy brush, Soldiers shine lights on their gear.
“Hurry up, get on line!”
U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Adalberto Reyes-Ortiz breathes heavy and adjusts his gear.
Urgency is paramount. The stirring, shifting, and low murmur of troops throwing rucksacks onto their backs echoes down the long, seemingly endless blacktop cutting through the vegetation.
“I’m ready for this, I’m pumped,” says Reyes-Ortiz, a Cayey, Puerto Rico, native.
Reyes-Ortiz, a military policeman and team leader with the 301st Military Police Company, is competing in the 2014 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. 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.
“Get ready!”
Anticipation leads to respiration, respiration to perspiration, and all three together ensure this dawn will be like no other.
“Go!”
The quiet murmur turns into a thunderous rumble as combat boots stomp forward on the blacktop.
It took blood, sweat, and tears to bring Reyes-Ortiz to the New Jersey countryside just east of JBMDL. He said he has wanted to compete in the USARC BWC for years.
“When I came from Basic I saw an article in Warrior-Citizen about Best Warrior in 2012,” said Reyes-Ortiz. “And I said, ‘I want that. I want to go there. I want to do that.’”
To his surprise, however, Reyes-Ortiz was deployed soon after his initial entry training and was unable to compete in the 2013 competition. That didn’t stop him from preparing.
“I remember when Reyes-Ortiz started studying in 2012 in Afghanistan,” recalled Jose Diaz-Luquis, a military policeman with the 301st MP Co. Diaz-Luquis is Reyes-Ortiz’ sponsor, who provides moral support, encouragement, and training throughout the competition. “He would study all the time in his room and for future training schools.”
After Reyes-Ortiz returned from his deployment, he set his sights on competing for the 2014 USARC BWC.
It was not an easy task. Reyes-Ortiz had to compete in two previous competitions within his command. From ruck marches to land navigation courses that stretched for miles, Reyes-Ortiz had his hands full while preparing for Best Warrior.
He also had to balance his civilian life. Reyes-Ortiz is a full-time student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Management at Turabo University. More importantly, he is a full-time husband and father. His wife, Keishla M. Lebron-Ortiz and his two children, are a great source of moral support. He relies on this support to persevere through hard times.
“She supports me in everything that I do,” said Reyes-Ortiz.
With an eye toward the first hill, Reyes-Ortiz begins his ruck march with high spirits. Approaching the first of many steep grades, Reyes-Ortiz grits his teeth and bends under the weight to lessen the pull of the heavy rucksack.
Some might find it hard to understand why anyone would put themselves through the anguish and pain.
“I decided to compete because I love to do this kind of training and I want to show that I am one of the best Soldiers in the Army Reserve,” said Reyes-Ortiz. “I like the physical challenge- its about challenges [that require you] to always step up and be better.”
As the sun rises and the pace fades, the end is finally in sight. With renewed vigor, Reyes-Ortiz shuffles his feet faster and faster, intent on finishing strong.
Soldiers who have worked with Reyes-Ortiz are accustomed to his driven mentality.
“He has an aura about him,” said Diaz-Luquis. “…Of a thirst to win.”
Reyes-Ortiz said he believes this competition will be an integral stepping stone for his future goals. He is already set on a promotion to staff sergeant after his recent promotion to sergeant.
Reyes-Ortiz also plans to become a drill sergeant and seek a direct commission as an Army officer in the future.
“I’m going to do my full career in the Army for 20, 30, 40 years – or whenever I get too old for this,” declared Reyes-Ortiz.
His desire to serve stems from his selfless nature.
“I am a leader, and I like to project that and help people,” said Reyes-Ortiz. “That’s what the Army does – we help people.”
He also wants to continue his civilian education, eventually planning to finish his bachelor’s degree and earn a master’s degree in Business Administration. For Reyes-Ortiz, the Army Reserve fits perfectly into his life vision.
“I joined [the Army Reserve] because I like it and I can accomplish my personal and educational goals through the Army,” said Reyes-Ortiz. “Being a Citizen-Soldier means everything to me. I can do it every day of my life because I love it… and [can] do something good for my country in the military.”
While the ruck march ends at the line, the competition will continue until the 27th of June. And even after the competition is finished, Reyes-Ortiz will continue to move forward.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2014 14:13 |
| Story ID: | 134397 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Hometown: | CAYEY, PR |
| Web Views: | 136 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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