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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - An advertisement for a free pair of socks 17 years ago started the unexpected journey of Staff Sgt. Antoni Bukowski of Montgomery, Illinois.
His father saw a television commercial advertising free socks and called the number to leave his information.
When the people called back looking for his father, he spoke with the caller and found out that she was an Army recruiter.
“Before I knew it, she was at my house and I was signing a contract” he said.
It was the sound of a challenge that ultimately swayed the young Bukowski to take the first steps on his Army adventure. Representing the 1150th Transportation Company, he is a Train Crew Member who has served in the Army Reserve his entire career.
His participation in the 2014 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition was as unexpected as his entrance into military service. As the runner up in his unit, the original winner was injured during combatives training and Bukowski was called to fill in just a week and a half before the first day of events. “My sergeant major called me up and said 'you're the one to go'” he said.
While he knows that his career is one of the longest amongst the competitors, he doesn't let that intimidate him.
“I'm in it to win it,” he said. He also hopes to take more home than just the win.
“I want to train noncommissioned officers and a Soldiers in our company to compete in the next competition.”
As he was trained by an NCO from his company to be in this competition, he wishes to pay that forward to the rest of his unit to watch them excel and succeed.
“I would like to pay that forward and hopefully get all of our Soldiers to where I am today,” he said.
Much like the events of the Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition, Bukowski's Army career has been a series of facing each and every challenge presented to him.
At a moment's notice he will be there giving his best to any task he is given with motivation, dedication, and a comfortable pair of socks.
| Date Taken: | 06.24.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.26.2014 23:42 |
| Story ID: | 134601 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 125 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Staff Sgt. Antoni Bukowski competes in the 2014 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition, by SGT William Battle, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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