Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Lymari Sanchez | Staff Sgt. Victor Ramos, a paralegal noncommissioned officer from the 128th Legal...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - He’s the oldest competitor for the title of Best Warrior in the Army Reserve.
“The unit thought that I was an outstanding choice for this competition, but to be honest, I thought I was too old, but look where I am,” said Staff Sgt. Victor M. Ramos.
At 46, he’s older than all 41 of the other Soldiers living in the barracks with him this week. While some people at that age will spend their time playing golf, Ramos, a paralegal noncommissioned officer, prepared himself for the biggest challenges in his military career.
Ramos, assigned to the 128th Legal Operation Detachment, is competing in the 2014 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition representing the U.S. Army Legal Command.
From a humble farm family in Mexico, Ramos was born and raised in Los Angeles. He enlisted at the age of 18 in the United States Marine Corps and served four years active duty as an ammunition technician.
As a Marine, he participated in Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield in Kuwait. By 1992, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve.
He finished his tour in 1996. He married, had two children and pursued a quiet life as a civilian.
After being away from the military for five years, a friend convinced him to put his boots and uniform back on, and enlist in the U.S. Army Reserve.
From the active duty to Reserve, from the Marines to the Army, and now from a paralegal to the Best Warrior competition, Ramos continues his journey.
“When I joined the U.S. Army Reserve, my plan was to test it out. To my surprise, I liked it. I like the legal command. I like the people. I like the Reserve and everything about it,” mentioned Ramos while getting ready to perform his next task in the competition.
He moved on to the search and seizure event after getting up at midnight to measure his abilities in the swamps of Fort Dix, New Jersey, for the night land navigation course.
“I am really excited to be participating and enjoy this opportunity,” said Ramos.
He added, he never expected the level of mental and physical challenges.
“I am going to do my best, now I feel more confident and more relaxed. If I can do it, anyone can,” he said with a smile on this face.
Ramos participated in the Bataan Memorial Death March the last eight years in a row. The event in New Mexico is one of the top 30 marathons in the United States. He encourages his Soldiers to participate too and draws strength from the preparation for that challenge.
“As a Soldier, a typical day for me is get up early in the morning, get ready physically and mentally, to do my work and do my best in my job. That’s how I do it here,” added Ramos.
With a life full of responsibilities and the support of his wife and five kids, he challenges himself to complete the Best Warrior Competition and bring his experiences back to his soldiers.
“I am promoting this in my lane of soldiers and supporting them to train and practice to participate next year and be their sponsor,” said Ramos.
Staff Sgt. Ramos left his paralegal books aside to gear up and carry a weapon to compete against the finest in the Army Reserve.
He said participating in the competition is something he never imagined he would be a part of prior to his retirement when he enlisted 13 years ago. As the oldest competitor in this year’s competition, he has his work cut out for him.
However, he hasn’t slowed down and his experiences might just propel him to the final round at the Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2014 14:58 |
| Story ID: | 134403 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US |
| Hometown: | ANTHONY, NM, US |
| Hometown: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Hometown: | LOS ANGELES, CA, US |
| Hometown: | MUSTANG, OK, US |
| Hometown: | SANTA TERESA, NM, US |
| Web Views: | 1,354 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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