Tough as Nails Attitude Is Key for Future Soldiers, Airmen
U.S. Military Recruiters Enjoy Interacting With Event Competitors
WHEELING - Military recruiters once again had a presence at the Tough as Nails Urban Challenge during Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend, connecting with competitors whose participation in the challenging event demonstrated the kind of toughness and determination that makes a good soldier.
U.S. Army recruiter Staff Sgt. Brandon Zapotoczny on Sunday said it’s always great get out into the community and take part in a popular annual event like the Tough as Nails.
"I think it represents the Army a little bit, and we love to represent the Army out here," Zapotoczny said. "People are out being active, and it’s great to see. Getting our future soldiers out here gives them a little taste of what it will be like when they get to the Army."
Zapotoczny and some of the other recruiters not only manned the booth near the starting line, they also joined future soldiers and participated in the Tough as Nails.
"Three enlistees getting ready to leave this summer, they all ran it with us," he said. "They crushed it. They’re getting ready to ship off for basic. They’re all ready to go, and I think they’re going to be great soldiers."
Sunday’s event was Zapotoczny’s first Tough as Nails experience, although he said he has participated in half marathons and other obstacle courses in the past.
"But nothing like this," he said. "Representing the Army with my brothers who I recruit with and doing it with the future soldiers - doing it with a no-man-left-behind attitude and finishing together - is just awesome. It sets the example and shows them that we can do it."
Future soldiers Xavior Robbins of Wheeling, Parker Seagrave of Middlebourne and Bethanie Kimble of Glen Dale all took on the Tough as Nails, along with Zapotoczny and fellow recruiter Staff Sgt. Daniel Woodlief.
Aside from the opportunity to tackle the course with future soldiers, the Tough as Nails also gave the Army recruiters a chance to meet with people from all walks of life.
"Even without the activity, just putting ourselves in the community, getting to know everybody and them getting to know us I think just sets a great example of showing who we are," Zapotoczny said. "We just want to be a part of the community and do whatever we can for them."
The U.S. Air Force also had a booth set up once again at the Tough as Nails. The Air Force station offered plenty of swag and information, and they also brought back the popular pull up bar to challenge some of the competitors.
Photo by Eric Ayres
John Roset of Delaware, originally of Wheeling, takes on the pull-up challenge at the U.S. Air Force recruitment booth at the start of the Tough as Nails Urban Challenge in downtown Wheeling Sunday as part of Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend as Technical Sergeant Ashton Mingee cheers him on.
"It’s mostly to engage with the community and to let them know what sorts of opportunities the Air Force has to offer, and also just to promote a little friendly competition with the pull-up bar," said Technical Sergeant Ashton Mingee of the U.S. Air Force office serving the Wheeling area. "A lot of people don’t realize that the Air Force has their own special forces. Everybody knows the Army Rangers, the Green Berets, the Navy SEALs - but a lot of those people don’t know that we have those same types of jobs, as well."
The U.S. Air Force again sponsored one of the obstacles on this year’s Tough as Nails - the dreaded Walls of Fort Henry - a climbing wall that truly challenges many of the participants.
Recruiters noted that the weekend’s events not only stressed fitness and wellness, but also highlighted American pride for Memorial Day, honoring those U.S. military members who gave their lives in service to the country.