FORT McCOY, Wis. - Sgt. Charles A. “Chad” Bielitz, a combat engineer for the 396th Engineer Company, arrived at La Crosse airfield early this afternoon for the 2012 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition.
Chad, who has been in the Army Reserves for three and a half years now, said, “I don’t see leaving any time soon.”
“I’ve always had an interest in the Army,” he said. “I have a skill set for it. I mean, if you’re willing and able why not go for it. It’s your freedom.”
He said he doesn’t believe that everyone should join, but if you can contribute and make a difference why just sit at home?
Chad didn’t sit at home. He got his bachelor’s degree in mining and engineering before he joined the Army to become an engineer. Did the Army Reserve make Chad a better employee?
“Definitely, you learn to take the lead and get stuff done, and military bearing goes a long way to getting you respect from the older employees being so young,” said Chad.
He said the fact that he is such a young non-commissioned officer in the Army Reserve hasn’t slowed him down a bit.
“You take the oath when you sign up, and I’m committed to it. I love what I do,” he said.
Chad said he enjoyed his battalions Best Warrior Competition, “it was really fun.”
He said that his company won both the soldier and non-commissioned officer portions of that competition and it brought a lot of pride to his unit.
“My goal is to prove that I belong.”
Now, he’s ready for the 2012 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition.
“I came here to have fun, and maybe learn something new; I want to be able to go back and teach my soldiers something new and exciting,” Chad said. He said he hopes to one day be able to help train his own soldiers and sponsor them in a future BWC.