Photo By 1st Lt. Brianne Roudebush | Staff Sgt. Francisco Serrato, (sponsor), Staff Sgt. Albert Garcia (competitor), Spc....... read more read more
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FORT CARSON, Colo. - The successes experienced by two California National Guard soldiers at the Region VII Best Warrior Competition in Fort Carson, Colo., in April would not have been possible without the support and hard work of their sponsors.
“My sponsor has been extremely critical,” Spc. Ryan Ziegler said of Sgt. Gary Tourville, a linguist and squad leader for Headquarters and Headquarters Support Company, 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion. “You can’t do this without a team behind you.”
The sponsors handled the majority of the paperwork and logistics that went into preparing for the competition. Additionally, and arguably more importantly, they motivated and encouraged the soldiers as they trained and practiced for the events.
“My sponsor has been there when I needed him, when I needed encouragement,” Staff Sgt. Albert Garcia said of his sponsor, Staff Sgt. Francisco Serrato, a supply noncommissioned officer for the 1106th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group. “When I was not feeling motivated, he motivated me.”
In the months leading up to the competition, the warriors and their sponsors dedicated several weekends to training and studying. During the Competition, the sponsors were at their soldiers’ sides, helping with equipment and cheering them on.
“My role as a sponsor is to make sure my competitor stays focused, motivated, well-fed and keeps point on the mission and task at hand,” Tourville said.
Serrato said that, although Garcia is very self-sufficient, it is important to have the support of a team, because it would be difficult for Garcia to do it all on his own.
It takes trust and solidarity to build the successful team dynamic these soldiers had.
“Sgt. Tourville has been essential (in these competitions),” Ziegler said. “He just seems to know what I need and when I need it.”
Tourville was Ziegler’s sponsor during the Golden State’s Best Warrior Competition, and when Ziegler moved on to the regional competition, the team stayed together. Garcia’s previous sponsor is deployed, so Serrato stepped up to fill that role.
“Being a sponsor has been quite an experience,” Serrato said. “It has taught me a lot, and it’s motivating to see the dedication these guys have.”
Between the two of them, Garcia and Ziegler took home seven awards.
“It makes me proud, knowing they did so well,” Tourville said. “I’m so glad I was able to help them achieve this.”
| Date Taken: | 04.07.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.10.2013 16:14 |
| Story ID: | 104959 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 182 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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