Research on hold

Photo By Timothy Hale | Sgt. 1st Class Daniel C. Alexander, a 94W/Electronic Maintenance Chief with Headquarters, and Headquarters Company, 96th Sustainment Brigade, scans his map during the night land navigation event at the 2012 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy, Wis., July 17. Alexander, from Salt Lake City, Utah, is representing the 79th Sustainment Support Command at the competition. This year's Best Warrior competition will determine the top non-commissioned officer and junior enlisted soldier who will Department of the Army Best Warrior competition in October at Fort Lee, Va.  

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

07.17.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. Jacob Boyer 

U.S. Army Reserve Command

FORT McCOY, Wis. - Soldiers in the Army Reserve are accustomed to the sacrifices they have to make, whether they are for two weeks of annual training or yearlong deployments.

One non-commissioned officer competing in the 2012 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition gave up the job that funds his education as he progressed through three levels of competition to arrive at Fort McCoy, Wis.

Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Alexander, a support operations platoon sergeant with the 96th Sustainment Brigade in Salt Lake City, said his professors at the University of Utah have been extremely supportive of his Army Reserve career and his efforts to advance to the competition, which runs July 15-20.

But the commitment required for multiple competitions made it necessary for Alexander to give up his position as a research assistant because his work required a more regular presence.

“I had to give up my research position to someone else, which is unfortunate because it funds my school,” said the 29-year-old Salt Lake City native. “Hopefully when I get done with this, we'll look and try to get me another funded position. They've been supportive, but at the same time I definitely had to sacrifice on that side.”

Alexander, who is here representing the 79th Sustainment Support Command, is working toward a doctorate in mechanical engineering. The research assistant job goes hand-in-hand with his academic work, but he said the temporary sacrifice is worth it.

“It was definitely worth it. I've learned so much coming to these competitions,” said the 11-year veteran, who has deployed twice, to Iraq and Afghanistan, and served one stateside mobilization.

“There is a ton of stuff I can't wait to take back to my platoon. As a platoon sergeant, it's opened my eyes to more stuff. In the last four months, I've probably learned more about the Army than I did in the previous 10 years,” he said.

Learning those basic skills is important as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq wind down and Army leaders focus on the importance of basic Soldier skills. Alexander said this renewed emphasis is necessary because of the way the Army operates today.

“As modular as the Army is becoming, we take a lot of little pieces that can connect anywhere,” he said. “Every soldier in every unit needs a basic language or set of skills, so that when we put two units together, they can work together to accomplish the mission.”

Although he's made it to this competition, Alexander feels the sacrifice has been worthwhile, because he comes to Fort McCoy representing more than just himself.

“The most important thing is so many people in my support commands … have bent over backwards to help me train, support me and give me what I need for this,” he said. “I'm not here as an individual competing; I'm here as a representative of a combined effort of my command. We have worked very hard for this.”

• Date Taken: 07.17.2012
• Date Posted: 07.17.2012 18:50
• Story ID: 91706
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US
• Hometown: SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US