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FORT McCoy, Wis.– Rain-filled clouds roll over a firing range. Competitors being are bused in and out. A few in the shelter relax and discussing the day’s challenges.
This is where Staff Sgt. Kevin Sharper is.
Sharper speaks quickly, and from time to time his closes his eyes and rolls them. A sign of fatigue from the morning ruck march.
“It’s the hardest thing I’ve been through so far,” says Sharper, in regards to the 2012 U.S. Army Reserve Competition at Fort McCoy, Wis.
Sharper is a chaplain’s assistant assigned to the Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 9th Medical Support Command. Sharper enjoys his work as a chaplain’s assistant.
“I like the fact that religion and government can come together,” said Sharper.
He feels that his job is made easier by being an enlisted soldier.
“It’s easier for soldiers to come to a chaplain’s assistant and talk about what’s bothering them,” he said. “ Chaplains often only talk to soldier’s of their own faith. As an assistant, I can talk to anyone regardless of that.”
He also has great enthusiasm for being a soldier as well.
“I love being an American soldier. It brings together so many dynamics and we can come together to make something better,” he said.
He has 11 years in the service. He has deployed three times, once to Kuwait and twice to Iraq.
“Soldiers are focused on mission, mission, mission overseas,” said Sharper. “Part of my job is to help them take care of the spiritual aspect they might ignore and provide some support system for them if they need it.”
Sharper completed air assault school shortly before coming to the competition and said his girlfriend is still very supportive.
“She encourages me,” he said. “She’s always telling me to focus on the mission and go to the different schools.”
Sharper also attends college at Ashford University. He’s pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and only has two class left until his degree has been completed.
With so much going on, Sharper finds relaxation in art.
“Everyone needs an outlet,” he said. “It’s peaceful and lets me put my emotions into it.”
During the competition there is little down time. Even so, Sharper enjoys all of it.
“I like the camaraderie,” he said. “ Though we’re competing, we’re still fellow soldiers.”
The bus arrives. It’s full of competitors ready for the next challenge. Drill sergeants and sponsors gather up the soldiers. Weighed down by heavy gear, Sharper lumbers over to the bus. There’s another range over the next hill. Another unknown challenge too.
| Date Taken: | 07.19.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.19.2012 14:02 |
| Story ID: | 91829 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 40 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NCO shares in rain, and camaraderie, by SFC Debrah Sanders, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
