Photo By Michel Sauret | Spc. Brandyn Sprague, with the 505th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, headquartered in...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – The pain is infectious.
It started in the soles of his feet, formed by friction and the pure force of his boot stomping against the ground over and over and over.
He felt it in his knees and up his legs, creating a twilight zone between numbness and agony.
Muscle cramps may only be a step away.
It’s almost as if he shouldered the world for Atlas; moments that seem endless.
This pain has been commonplace at the 2014 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition.
It’s a pain that Spc. Brandyn Sprague felt and still remembers. After an 8-mile ruck march with more than 50 pounds on his back, Sprague and fellow competitors were then tasked to carry a 180-pound litter almost a mile.
“This [mile-long litter carry] was the toughest one,” said Sprague, a computer detection systems repairer with the 319th Signal Battalion. “I thought it was going to be hard but ... man.”
Hard.
Grueling.
Demanding.
Exhausting.
All of these words can be used to describe the 2014 USARC BWC, a multi-day event consisting of various Soldier tasks, battle drills, an 8-mile ruck march, an Army Physical Fitness Test, rifle marksmanship, land navigation and several mystery events. In the span of five days, more than 40 competitors were pushed to their limits.
Sprague traveled the continental span of the U.S. to reach the New Jersey countryside near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. He is here to prove his mettle against the best in the Army Reserve.
“I am determined in showing off my keen skills as a Soldier and standing out amongst my peers,” declared Sprague, a Sacramento, California, native. “I have high intentions as far as my military career goes and my success in this competition will reflect on my status as a leader.”
Sprague’s performance in the competition and in the Army has already reflected well in his family. Serving in the Army is almost a tradition in the Sprague family lineage.
His mother retired with 20 years of service. His father was an airborne parachute rigger. His grandfather was the command sergeant major of United States European Command, a drill sergeant, a veteran of the Vietnam war and a purple heart recipient. Sprague has nearly half-a-dozen cousins who have or currently serve in the Army.
Sprague said the Army runs deep in his veins, and pushes him forward to his future goal of becoming a Special Forces Soldier.
“My grandpa was a Ranger,” recalled Sprague. “All the stories he told me have made me want to join [Special Forces]. I’ve always found it interesting.”
For Sprague, the 2014 USARC BWC is a train-up in preparation for the Special Forces Qualification Course.
“It’s always fascinating to see him pursue his path,” said Staff Sgt. Ross Wilbanks, a multichannel transmissions systems operator-maintainer with the 453rd Chemical Battalion. “This is a litmus test for where he’s at, before trying out for SF selection.”
So far, the 2014 USARC BWC is living up to Sprague’s expectations.
“I came out here for the suck,” said Sprague. “I enjoy the Army life and when things suck.”
At the end of the event, Sprague was finally able to drop the weight of the world from his shoulders, prop up his battered knees, and take a rest from the suck.
| Date Taken: | 06.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.26.2014 11:53 |
| Story ID: | 134505 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US |
| Hometown: | SACRAMENTO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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