Army education drives Reserve soldier

Photo By Timothy Hale | Army Reserve Sgt. Brian Sunderman, a combat medic representing the 807th Medical Deployment Support Command and a native of Temple, Texas, competes in the 10-kilometer ruck march event at the 2013 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy, Wis., June 26. The warriors had two-and-a-half hours to complete the course. This year's Best Warrior Competition will determine the top noncommissioned officer and junior enlisted soldier who will represent the Army Reserve in the Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition in October at Fort Lee, Va.  

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

06.26.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. andrew guffey 

U.S. Army Reserve Command

FORT MCCOY, Wis. – Sgt. Brian Sunderman, Army Reserve medic, 807th Medical Command, Temple, Texas, has reached the final phase of the 2013 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The competition began June 23 and continues through the June 28.

“I wanted to participate in the 2013 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition to bring the best out in myself,” said Sunderman.

Sunderman joined the Army Reserve four years ago to help pay the expenses of going to college. He is currently enrolled at Southwestern University, where he is studying psychology and kinesiology and an associate in sociology from Temple College. After college Sunderman would like to teach high school and coach track and field. One day he hopes to coach at the collegiate level.

“Being a citizen-Soldier means that I must not only know my civilian job and perform as a student, but that I must also know my role as a Soldier and fulfill those roles,” said Sunderman.

With his Army Reserve experience, Sunderman obtained his civilian employment as an Emergency Medical Technician with Scott and White Emergency Medical Services Inc., and has been with them for two years.

“My role in the Army Reserve contributes greatly to my civilian career by cross training and maintaining my certification,” said Sunderman.

Sunderman enjoys outdoor activities and running, he also is on a collegiate track team and will be running for them this fall.

The training that Sunderman has been going through will help him one day reach his goal of becoming an Army Ranger. He heard that they were the best of the best and they had a lot of opportunities for him to expand his career.

“This competition brings not only strengths of a soldier out but their weaknesses as well,” said Sunderman.

Sunderman plans to take everything he has learned back with him to assist in the training of soldiers and to finish his degrees to go on to be an educator.

• Date Taken: 06.26.2013
• Date Posted: 06.26.2013 18:47
• Story ID: 109314
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US
• Hometown: TEMPLE, TX, US