Photo By Jeremy Todd | Spc. Chad Reed, a New Orleans native, assigned to Company A, 94th Brigade Support...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Jeremy Todd
4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq – The holiday season offers people the opportunity to show appreciation for what they have achieved throughout the past year – and deployed, fighting Soldiers are no exception.
Spc. Chad Reed, a Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldier serving with the 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in southern Baghdad, is thankful for the opportunity to fight – in the ring that is.
Reed is an amateur boxer. He is somewhat of a superstar on his home base of Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah, especially after recently having defeated a Golden Gloves boxer on nearby FOB Loyalty.
"When I'm not on mission, I'm in the gym or in the ring practicing," expressed Reed, whose time in the ring just about equals the length of his deployment, a little more than a year.
He said he wants to prove that he is a boxer now and no longer a street fighter.
"A boxer is patient," said Reed. He's not just going for the knockout hit, and that's where the difference lies between the two."
The New Orleans native grew up in the rougher part of town and made the life-changing decision to join the Army not only to improve himself but also to provide a better life for his wife at Fort Polk, La. The 24-year-old fighter weighs in at 148 lbs and stands 5 feet, 7 inches tall. Reed said all his punching power comes from his heart and that his love for his mother, wife and stepson keep him on the straight and narrow path of always doing what is right – no matter what the circumstance.
A handful of people have helped Reed strive for success in the squared circle. One such supporter is Sempa Wilson, a security guard on FOB Rustamiyah from Kampala, Uganda, who works with Reed on his footwork and speed.
"He doesn't like to be hit in the face, but who does? My job is to make sure he is not hit unnecessarily," commented Wilson. "We often spar to keep him aware of the unpredictability of this sport. This is not a nice sport, but it is a team sport [and] many others helped Reed win this fight," he said, referring to the bout with the Golden Gloves opponent at FOB Loyalty.
The task of ensuring Reed is in the best fighting shape possible goes to Staff Sgt. Anthony Nelson, a medical supply Soldier with 94th BSB. Nelson's responsibility is building Reed's stamina and muscle strength. Nelson works with Reed for three hours a day, six days a week.
Nelson said Reed is one of the most dedicated Soldiers he has worked with during his deployment, both on the clock and off.
"Boxing has motivated him to be a better Soldier, just as being a better Soldier has motivated his command to ensure he becomes a better boxer," expressed Wilson, a Jacksonville, Fla., native.
Reed said he has received tremendous support from his peers and his leaders. When he fought the Golden Gloves boxer, his command arranged to convoy 34 Co. A, 94th BSB Soldiers to FOB Loyalty to root for him.
"It is gestures like those that really make me want to be a better Soldier," said Reed. "My command has faith in me both on the battlefield and in the ring, and that means a lot to me."
First Sgt. Dan Donald III, a Fort Polk, La. resident, who is the senior enlisted leader for Co. A, said he wanted Reed to know his fellow Soldiers supported him.
"Spc. Reed is one of my hard-charging Soldiers," said Donald. "He totally out-classed his opponent at FOB Loyalty. It was the least I could do for him. He does a lot for his platoon, the battalion and the brigade. In the end, it provided positive motivation for the Soldiers who attended as well as Reed."
"Mike Tyson's Greatest Hits" and "Ali" are Reed's favorite movies. He said he models his fighting style after the two. He compared stepping in the ring to driving out the gate on to the streets of Baghdad.
"When it's time to maneuver, it's time to maneuver no matter what the case may be," explained Reed. "When it's time to go, it's time to go; and that's what I do as a Soldier and a fighter."
Reed added that he hopes someone will notice his drive to succeed, his dedication to be a better fighter, and he hopes to fight professionally some day. For now, however, he just wants to make it safely home to his family. This holiday season, the promising pugilist is thankful for all those who have supported him, both fighting in the ring and on the streets of Baghdad.
| Date Taken: | 12.03.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.03.2008 08:28 |
| Story ID: | 27117 |
| Location: | RUSTAMIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 493 |
| Downloads: | 299 |
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