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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – The transition from active duty to the Army Reserve was not an easy decision for Staff Sgt. Robert Jones.
While on active duty, he served as an infantryman, a drill instructor and deployed twice to Afghanistan. During his deployments, his duties included an M249 assault rifle operator, a rifle squad leader and a fire team leader.
“On active duty, you hear a lot of rumors about the Reserve,” said Jones. “They say these guys are lazy, they're not tough.”
Jones, now a member of the Army Reserve and a participant in the 2014 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition, no longer believes the hype.
“When you go to these competitions and meet these guys, you're like, 'Wow,'” he said. “These guys are outstanding.”
Best Warrior began June 23 and runs through June 27. The winner will move on to compete at the U.S. Army Best Warrior this year at Fort Lee, Virginia. The competition consists of enlisted Soldiers in the ranks of private to sergeant first class who have won at their local command levels.
A native of Somerst, Kentucky, Jones has served in the Army 11 years. Eight years active duty and three years in the Reserve. During his career, he has completed numerous schools to include; Airborne, Combat lifesaver, Air Assault and Rappel Master school. He is currently a Warrior Leader Course instructor at the Noncommissioned Officer Academy here and is also pursuing a degree in information technology management.
As a WLC instructor, Jones stays in shape, and his normal activities served as his training for Best Warrior. He said he was looking forward to many of the events.
“I love land nav (navigation), it's kind of my thing,” he said. “I also like the 9 mm and M16 stuff as well.”
Jones said he decided to participate in the competition because he likes a challenge.
“I challenge myself just to stay proficient,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2014 12:54 |
| Story ID: | 134376 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US |
| Hometown: | SOMERSET, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 138 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Dont believe the hype, by SGT Amber Sanders, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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