Travis Airmen participate in Alpha Warrior Games

TRAVIS AFB, CA, UNITED STATES

02.05.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Christian Conrad 

60th Air Mobility Wing

Only to the extent that we
Expose ourselves over and over to annihilation
Can that which is indestructible in us
Be found.
-Pema Chodron

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On October 6, 2017, in the arid, unforgiving climate of Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada’s Las Vegas Valley, 18 U.S. Air Force representatives gathered to compete in the 2017 military iteration of the Alpha Warrior Competition.
The competition, a grueling obstacle course aimed at motivating fitness and encouraging friendly competition between service members, boasted a top-tier roster of military athletes from Edwards Air Force Base, California; Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; Vandenburg Air Force Base, California and Travis Air Force Base, California.
To qualify, Travis Airmen were subjected to a full fitness test including push-ups, pull-ups, air squats and knee-to-chests. The fastest Airmen who were able to complete the test were reserved a spot to compete at Nellis AFB on the Battle Rig, a maze of metal pipes and obstacles designed to test a competitor’s grip and upper body strength.
One of the qualifiers, 2nd Lt. Stephanie Woolman, 60th Inpatient Squadron clinical nurse, was excited to learn of the competition and the nature of the fitness test meant to simulate its rigors.
“I didn't even know [the Alpha Warrior Competition] existed until about three days before I went to try out for it,” said Woolman. “Needless to say, I was stoked when I found out what the tryouts entailed because I knew that I would be able to do what they wanted us to do to compete.”
Woolman said working at David Grant USAF Medical Center has helped motivate her to not only stay fit to accomplish her specific mission, but to also strive for an excellence beyond what her job in the military requires and to represent Travis on a national stage.
“Too many times, I have been reminded of patients who would like nothing more than to go for a run, swim, bike, simply lift weights or go for a walk, but whatever is going on in his or her life, many times, things that none of them asked for and happened out of the blue, whether that be health issues or a physical ailment, they are unable to do the things my very capable body can do,” said Woolman. “Also, just knowing that literally I could wake up one day and no longer be able to do the things that I love. I never want to live with regrets. Much of the time, my motivation is them.”

• Date Taken: 02.05.2018
• Date Posted: 02.05.2018 17:35
• Story ID: 264797
• Location: TRAVIS AFB, CA, US