Photo By Staff Sgt. Rufus Stuckey | Spc. Christopher Irizarry from Middleburg, Fla., is a competitor at the 2014 Army...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - Little brothers are often picked on, beat up and abused by their older brothers. But as they grown up they are toughened and can take most anything life throws at them. Christopher Irizarry has a name for this.
“Ever since we were little, being the younger brother has put what I like to call the “little brother syndrome” in me. I have this competitive nature,” said Irizarry. “I can’t stand to lose.”
Spc. Christopher J. Irizarry has brought his little brother syndrome to the woods of New Jersey.
Irizarry is a licensed practical nurse with Alpha Company, 345th Combat Support Hospital on Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Florida. Representing the 3rd Medical Support Command, he is one of 42 soldiers competing in the 2014 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
Irizarry won two lower-level competitions to be selected to compete in this event.
The U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition tests Soldiers' resiliency and warrior skills in events such as the Army Physical Fitness Test, M4 rifle and 9mm pistol qualification ranges, hand-to-hand combatives, day and night land navigation, eight-mile ruck march, urban operations and several mystery events throughout the week.
When not competing or training for warrior competitions, Irizarry is a full-time student at the University of Florida in Tallahassee, majoring in Biological Sciences. He said he plans to continue on to medical school and become an emergency room doctor.
“I knew I wanted to be in the medical field when I enlisted,” Irizarry said. “Being a doctor is something I always wanted to be, it’s a job that has not only a lot of meaning, but a lot of value. You provide relief as a doctor.”
After almost a year and a half in medical training for the Army, Irizarry plans to use his training in his civilian life.
“I am going to go work as a nurse and stay sharp on my medical skills,” he said. “It is a perishable item, if you don’t use it, you lose it.”
“The Army has helped put me on the right track,” he said. “I have definitely learned a lot so far. I’ve gained some exposure to the medical field. Now I am more focused than ever on reaching my goal.”
With only two years in the Army, Irizarry has proved he is committed to hard work.
“He’s a hard worker. He doesn’t quit. He’s always ready,” said Sgt. David Brooks, his sponsor for the competition.
Brooks from McAlpin, Florida, will be by Irizarry’s side throughout the competition to provide support and encouragement.
Brooks, a former Best Warrior competitor, said, “I first met him after a PT test – a young stud – I said, ‘Man, we’ve got this competition… Do you want to have fun in the Army or do you want to be just a regular Joe?’”
The two have been working together ever since.
Irizarry gets his training from Brooks and he gets his competitiveness from his older brother.
Irizarry said, “I don’t know if he knows how much he instilled that competitive nature in me.”
His older brother, Jeremy, is currently on active duty in the Army stationed at Fort Drum, New York.
Jeremy told his little brother, “If you stay in the Army, the sky is the limit.”
The little brother syndrome clearly has Christopher Irizarry pushing his limits and reaching for the sky.
Only time will tell if his tough upbringing will push him onto the final round of competition at the Department of the Army Best Warrior.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.26.2014 09:28 |
| Story ID: | 134477 |
| Location: | NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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