FORT McCOY, Wis. - Spc. Nicholas Peterson, Combat Medic assigned to the 5502nd U.S. Army Hospital, Army Reserve Medical Command, Aurora, Colo., Native of Lakewood, Colo., is competing in the 2013 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition June, 24-28.
Peterson felt inspired to join the Army after he saw the positive impact the Army made on a friend of his who had joined the military.
“I had a buddy who was in the military previous to me and he was kind of a bad character,” said Peterson, “After he returned home I could tell he was different and that kind of inspired me to join. I thought I could get some direction and build some character in the Army."
In addition, Peterson, a native of Lakewood, Colo., who is attending University of Northern Colorado, said that he joined because GI Bill is a great way to pay for school, and is currently majoring in Athletic Training. He will graduate next year.
“The GI Bill pays for almost all my school, and that frees me up to concentrate on school because I don’t have to work.,” said Peterson.
After his graduation from CSU, Peterson will be pursuing his dream job with the National Football League.
“My dream job is to work as an athletic trainer for the NFL,” said Peterson. I will apply for an internship with all 32 NFL teams after the competition.”
One of the reasons Peterson chose his career field is because he loves treating and helping injured people. He was previously assigned to Walter Reed Medical Center were he was worked in the Military Advanced Training Center providing rehab for the poly-traumatic amputee wounded warriors coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Peterson said that working at Walter Reed made him realize that he has nothing to complain about and with enough will power a person can overcome anything.
Throughout his five-year Army career, Peterson has helped wounded warriors, nearly graduated college with a bachelor’s degree and is now focused on the challenge of competing in the 2013 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition.