FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Sometimes you have to complete a task one step at a time.
For Pfc. Abraham Jarvis’ task, it was more like 21,120 steps, when he laced up his
running shoes and stepped up to the starting line at Fort Campbell’s Army 10-Miler
qualifier on June 8, 2024.
The junior Soldier lined up amongst a field of former Division I athletes, experienced
officers, and senior NCO’s in hopes of earning a coveted slot on the Fort Campbell’s
Army 10-Miler Team. Jarvis completed the qualifier ranking 6th overall, earning his spot
after taking part in his first-ever road race.
“Throughout the 10-mile course, I had moments of self-doubt on my capability of
completion,” said Jarvis. “Being that I have never ran more than 5 miles, the next 5
miles felt like a whole new spectrum. But I chose to use the same thing I used for the Air
Assault 12-mile ruck: heart.”
Jarvis joined the Army in July 2023. Upon completion of Basic Training and Advanced
Individual Training as an information technology specialist, he arrived to Fort Campbell
and not only graduated Air Assault School, but was crowned the Foot March Champion
for Class 21-24 with a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes.
Jarvis is assigned to Charlie Company, 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101 CAB. After
Air Assault school and earning a spot on the installation’s Army 10-Miler Team, Jarvis
along with seven other Soldiers were flown to Washington D.C. to represent Fort
Campbell in the Active-Duty Mixed category.
“It was a feeling of pressure arriving the morning of the race,” said Jarvis. “It was
mixture of excitement…I was nervous to know that a lot of people were counting on me
to perform.”
Making his way up to the first corral through the sea of thousands, Jarvis noticed the
vast age groups and Wounded Warrior cyclists preparing for their time to race.
Helicopters flew overhead with the sunrise as Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer
made the opening remarks for the event on the chilly October morning, leaving Jarvis
with a rush of excitement to run in the world’s second largest 10-mile race.
“My emotions of self-doubt were quickly leaving my body as I took one last breath
before crossing the starting line,” said Jarvis. “When the cannons went off that was
when I realized my time to race was about to start.”
Jarvis clocked in with a time of 1 hour, 5 minutes for an average pace of 6 minutes, 33
seconds per mile, placing him in the top 2% of runners that raced that morning. The
team placed sixth overall in the Active-Duty Mixed Team Category.
“My experience at the race was amazing, especially for it being my first race,” said
Jarvis. “I loved the motivated high energy there – the atmosphere, and the people there
all made it such a great first chapter for me.”
That chapter continues as Jarvis looks to further his education with a cybersecurity
degree and gain more technology certifications.
“When I first joined, I had no in-depth experience with computers or running,” said
Jarvis. “I stepped into a position which seemed foreign to my civilian experiences but
ended up coming in and enjoying it and expanding my pallet of skills.”
Along with certifications, he is looking into options to challenge himself to include
Special Forces Assessment and Selection or Special Operations Force.
“If you are on the fence about a life decision, I would tell you to just send it,” said Jarvis.
“The world is going to keep on spinning whether you take risks or not, and I am living
proof that taking risks puts you in a much better position than not taking them at all."
Date Taken: | 11.15.2024 |
Date Posted: | 11.18.2024 10:15 |
Story ID: | 485343 |
Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY, US |
Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
Web Views: | 297 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Pfc. Sets New Paces and Standards for Junior Enlisted Soldiers, by 1LT Courtney Huhta, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.