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FORT McCoy, Wis. – It’s early afternoon, but everybody is sweating. Soldiers gather along a tree line in to try to escape some of the heat. Among the blouses, body armor, and hydration backpack is Spc. Austin Okorn. His face is red, and as sweaty as the next soldier’s. His brown T-shirt has rings of salt stains from this morning’s grueling challenges.
Despite the heat and fatigue, Okorn, a petroleum supply specialist assigned to the 377th Troop Support command, is quite pleased to be here.
“I’m very grateful,” he said. “Knowing since I came here thinking I wouldn’t be able to compete in the Best Warrior Competition because of conflicts with school and taking care of my son. It’s amazing to be at this level.”
Okorn, 21, is pursuing a musical education degree at Northwest Missouri University. Okron describe himself as a very energetic, and rambunctious child, who got interested in music at a young age.
“I got into music in the 4th grade playing the recorder,” said Okorn. “ In 5th grade I picked up my first instrument and it went from there.”
He plays three instruments including the piano. Okorn said that he likes all kinds of music. While he has composed music himself, he much prefers to listen to it. He said he often listens to classical and jazz music while studying.
Okorn will soon be studying more than just music. He has recently received an Army ROTC scholarship, which he intends to take.
Though he has decided to become an officer, Okorn still speaks very fondly of non-commissioned officers
“I love an respect NCOs. I love the fact that they train soldiers. They really are the ‘backbone’ of the Army,” he said.
Okron recently attended Warrior Leadership Course at Fort McCoy.
“I really loved learning about being an NCO,” he said. “If I hadn’t it would have affected my ability to be a good leader.”
Okorn has also taken several leadership courses at his college to make him a better leader in his civilian life as well. Though he said the Army has really helped him figure out where he wants to go in life.
Okorn has a lot to balance, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. His sponsor, Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Dunbar, a platoon sergeant assigned to the 842nd Quarter Master Company, 377th Troop Support Command, takes great pride in his soldier.
“He’s a college student, 21, has a son, and balances everything really well,” said Dunbar. “He’s a very disciplined kid.”
Dunbar has been Okorn’s sponsor ever since Okorn got involved in the Best Warrior competition.
“It makes me very proud,” said Dunbar about Okorn’s success in the competition throughout the levels. “Whenever he got his name called at the 103rd [Expeditionary Support Command], it was very exciting.”
The role of a sponsor is quite different than the role of Soldier involved in the competition. Dunbar understands why others wouldn’t see the appeal in it.
“As a sponsor I do his laundry. I go to the PX at the drop of a hat if he needs something, “said Dunbar. “I carry his stuff like his dad at the zoo.”
“I mean, most people would think, ‘ What are you getting out of this?’” continued Dunbar. “It’s the gratification of helping someone succeed in their career,” said Dunbar.
Okorn said that Dunbar is has been a great sponsor.
“We get along really well,” Okorn said. “He comes off as scary and big, but he is a really nice guy. He takes on a lot of responsibility.”
Dunbar is currently sponsoring not only Okorn, but another Soldier from their command as well.
Okron say’s that he has always been competitive and that is what drew him to want to do this competition. Yet, his drive for being here isn’t pride.
“The experiences, the friendships I’ve continued to create and build with my sponsors, and fellow Soldiers are what drive me,” he said.
“It’s been really fun,” Okorn continued. “It makes me want to keep going.”
He has also enjoyed all the new experiences he has gotten in order to prepare for Best Warrior Competition. Okorn said he is now combatives level one and two certified.
“Just that I get to train for so many things is amazing,” said Okorn.
With his unit behind him not only when it comes to training and the competition, Okorn also has the support of his family back home too.
“They were very excited,” said Okorn.
While his son is still much to young to understand the gravity of what his father is a part of, Okorn hopes he will understand.
“I can only hope he is inspired by it or moved in some way,” he said.
In between the soft murmur of small talk, a drill sergeant calls for the competitors to get ready to move to the next event. There’s little sound, but the shuffle of gear getting thrown back on. A layer of sweat covers his forehead as Okorn manages to get his gear on quickly and begins to march on to whatever challenge may await him.
| Date Taken: | 07.18.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2012 10:28 |
| Story ID: | 91745 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 72 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Camaraderie: A soldier’s drive, by SFC Debrah Sanders, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
