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Oct

12

Final day of AUSA!

Posted by : Linda Dennis | On : October 12, 2011

Category: AUSA, Day 6, Ms. D's Notes, Quick Updates

We are all exhausted, but it is a good tired.  We have walked the aisles of the AUSA Expo, and we have seen firsthand drones, helmets, robots, guns, and also met some of the neatest uniformed people.  From the SSGT’s to the Generals, they have all welcomed us in! We have traveled from TRADOC, to First Army, to Korea, then Europe and back here to the United States.  We have seen patches that have told us where a soldier is from and where they might’ve served and all the while we keep seeing our glorious Flag on the shoulder.

Now it is time to wrap up.  We are told to get working now, all of us sitting down and writing up all of our notes, and preparing our content for this wonderful blog.  It’s easy to find a cushioned floor, and off we go with our laptops and cameras.  We have our reporter’s pads and pens.  Zia and Kat lead us to get organized.  Hammond makes sure we have the alphabet covered.

Soon, you will find on our blog the alphabet from A to Z, with each letter covering some element, company, or person at the AUSA Meeting!  You will find photos and captions, and the interviews – Q & A’s.  The Backpack Journalist Editors will work to continue to upload and add content, so check back often.  Visit our photo gallery also to take a peek at our portraits and a short bio about ourselves.

Ms. D and Scotty had told us about a special reception on Wednesday night.  So after we wrapped up our notes, off we went to walk the floor for one last time.  WOW.  Just about every exhibitor had something special to give away.  So we collected ball caps, backpacks, pens, pads, water bottles, heck even socks!  It was like one after the other filled with special little gifts to hand you.  I think some of us had to have another suitcase to get all the goodies home.  And, for sure – we will not need pens or pads for a while.

Perhaps the best little “swag” (that’s what someone called this stuff) was the little dolls that allow a deployed service member to put their photo inside for their little toddler to hold while they were away.  They come in the typical Army green, and also in blue.  And the spot on the head was just right to hold the Mom or Dad photo.  So adorable!

That evening, we all gathered for dinner, a quiet one we thought.  By the time we left the hall it was late, but not too late for good food.  And, did we mention that Pedro and Marynell had run to bring back a nice bag of cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes!  We each chose one (or maybe even two), said good night and went to our sleeping rooms to marvel over our bags of “swag”, and to figure out a way to get it all home, all this time thinking about AUSA and how it was truly an inspirational and informational event for us all!

Oct

12

Scorpion inside my helmet

Posted by : Quincy Winder | On : October 12, 2011

Category: AUSA, Day 6, General, Interviews, Man on the Street, News, Sights and Sounds

Raytheon (Technical Services Division), Indianapolis, Indiana

Eric K. Moore, Raytheon – RTC Systems Engineer

 

One of the neatest experiences I have
at AUSA is flying an F-16 combat aircraft to test out the new Raytheon Scorpion insert for a Helmet.

Did I say flying?

I’m actually in the demo area in the Raytheon Booth in its 4D simulator in the “situational awareness” suite.  As I’m fitted into the Scorpion Helmet, Ms. D asks if we can record my experience – she knows I won’t be able to take notes and “fly” at the same time!

She’s right.

The simulator includes a Down Display, the eye piece and the Helmet non-display with 3-d audio.

I sit in the cockpit where combat pilots sit, helmet on and Eric asks me if I can see the horizon?  The green line?

“Is it level?” Eric asks me.  And I answer, “Well, I don’t think so, but I‘ve never done this before!”

So Eric adjusts the helmet and rotated it a little, and then I can see all the symbols on the down display. As he rotates the helmet, he asks, “Better or worse?  See all these type of symbols on the down display.  Whenever you look at the up display, look at the horizon.  We’re on the ground.”

This is way cool. I’m in the cockpit and I’m the pilot with the Scorpion helmet and we’re getting ready to take off!   I see the horizon.

Eric continues:  “Once you get up in the air, when you actually need to see, ‘we’ (and he means the Scorpion) display more symbols. Let’s take off!  Here’s the throttle, push it forward and leave it there.  Hold onto the stick here. This is your air speed: 110 – 130.   Pull back really fast.  It’s sensitive!”

We’re lifting off!

Eric tells me I’m “doing it like a pro!”

I’m taking off – pushing the throttle – and then – a mass of birds!

Geez, I’m not quick enough!   “BIRD STRIKE!”  I’m the first guy to hit a flock of birds!  “BIRD STRIKE!”

It seems about that time a lot of people start standing around the simulator, watching my Bird Strike. They tell me I’m the first one to have a Bird Strike.  The windshield? “Broken.”

Back to the Scorpion Helmet and what my simulator experience is really about. The Scorpion’s completely digital and high tech. It’s modern technology equipment that connects to the aircraft’s computer system using sound and symbology (Eric used that word a lot!) and a lot more.

The helmet makes the pilot’s response time quicker.   It seems I’ve seen it before in a movie! “Today, the Scorpion’s modernizing the cockpit of the combat airplane,” Eric says.

The 3D system hears the missile as the pilot (me) does. And the 3D system sends a message to the plane’s computer weapons systems.

I’m able to quickly lock down on the missile just by using the direction of my head in the helmet!  So in combat, the Scorpion lets me quickly take care of that missile.

And I don’t even look down at the control panel in the cockpit.

I also learn that pilots can have multiple conversations coming into their ear pieces at once.  The Scorpion allows each conversation to have its own channel, so the pilot can clearly hear each separately.  And the helmet has so much more night vision and lots of digital technology flying support.

Eric decides I should get back to ground and start over!

This time I’m instructed to avoid the birds!

As I take off, I hear Eric tell me, “Full throttle again, avoid the birds.  Get the air speed to 160-170 and then roll back.  Nice, there you go! Nicely done, you’ve avoided the birds! So keep those hills in site.  You should be able to see the symbology on the Scorpion.”

I do, and next I hear the sounds of a helicopter flying around me. I jerk the helmet toward the sound and see it coming. The sound is crisp in front of me, dull from behind.

And it’s only 9:20 a.m. on Day 3 at AUSA!

Do I want to be a pilot now?

Not certain.

But if I could master this “math” that seems to try and conquer me, yes, I’d love to fly…if I could have a Scorpion inside my helmet!

 

Article by Quincy Winder, Edited by Zia Johnson

Oct

11

Day 2 – the adventure continues at AUSA!

Posted by : Linda Dennis | On : October 11, 2011

Category: AUSA, Day 5, Ms. D's Notes, Sights and Sounds

Working the metro when you are not familiar with it can be challenging. Then when you add in rush hour, Boy oh boy does it get tough! Most of the backpack journalist reporters have backpacks filled with their computers and cameras, and though they have all this technology, the notepads are always kept handy!

Today, we are to present at the AUSA Family Forum. We are showing, and perhaps you’ve already seen it, a DAY BY DAY overview of what we have been up to.  From the operations room to the Health and Running Expo to the Opening Day of AUSA – it’s all going to be there!

In addition to the video, we were also tasked to present and speak directly to the attendees of the forum.  Ms. D told us just the night before that she does not want us to be nervous!  She says, “So what’s it like to be a military youth?  If you could share something about your life what would you like to say?  And, finally what do you think about your experience here with A Backpack Journalist?”

Zia tells us that she has helped choreograph our skit.  And, we practice some.  Stand up all together and then sit down.  Keep the jacket zipped and the hood up.  Turn around and sit down.  We all agree we hope we remember what to do, and when.  The words should be easy.  They will come naturally.  It’s who we are.

It’s 10:30 Tuesday morning.  We have just sat through Gen. Jones’ dynamic presentation.  He spoke about a few of IMCOM’s programs.  Of course the word “resilency” kept coming up, and he even spoke about A Backpack Journalist. It’s very impressive and yet touching, after all, he knows about our program.

Then, Hal spoke.  Hal started a group called Screamfree Institute. They do a lot for couples and for parenting. He was great fun to listen to, especially when he helped us understand what our parents are really about.  So they are the parents, and we are the children?  So they need to take care of themselves, and then “us”.

After Hal, it’s our turn.  Ms. D is to speak only for a “few minutes” (Let me just say it’s a miracle if it’s only a few minutes, she can talk and talk about A Backpack Journalist for hours).  She then introduces the Ft. Campbell Film which should help explain it all.  And, it did.  We were next and as each of us stood, we presented our short speech using a hand held mic.  Only one of us was a “civilian” and that was Zia.  She grew up in a home that never faced deployment!  She spoke out brave and strong on how she had come to learn about us – military kids and our families and the sacrifices that we make!   She got us off to a great start.  Only one of us cried speaking, and then the audience clapped when she finished.   Next, one made a comment about “big girl panties”,  like how we have to put them on when her Dad gets deployed.  And, then the two Youth Challenge guys spoke about their experiences, and even one had to pause to collect himself as he shared his experience as he “finally passed his math”.  He mentioned also his recent interview with MG Lynn, and how much that meant to him.  Then, finally Pedro wrapped it up.  And when he did – he offered to all of the audience the following:

Rick Kiernan shared with us two key words about AUSA and our experience to come:

l.  There will be lots of information. It will be very informational.

2. With all that information, don’t forget the emotional side. It will be inspirational.

Pedro then gave it back to Ms. D and then the audience got to see our first 4 days!  Kyle did an amazing job of editing and assembling our experience, and when it closed, Ms. D announced to the entire room what was next!

The trip to Europe and then the other neat interviews and people that we met on Monday afternoon.  To come is the remainder of the AUSA.

What happened next will remain with us for a very long time!  The audience stood and clapped a lot, and we looked out to see many crying!  And, then when they were dismissed, we were greeted and hugged by so many!  (Ms. D and Scotty told us this would happen!  And AUSA staff also were sure that this would be the case.  They told us that we were the first to come forward, and that we did a good job.

A Backpack Journalists – off to booth duty now!

Written by Linda Dennis,

Additional commentary provided by Pedro Rampolla  

Oct

11

More than just airplanes – a quick look at Boeing!

Posted by : Emarah Cousar | On : October 11, 2011

Category: AUSA, Day 5, General, News, Sights and Sounds

When one thinks of Boeing, the images of big commercial jetliners flying through the air and sitting around an airport come to mind. While it is true that Boeing, America’s leading aircraft manufacturer, designs aircraft for the U.S. Army to use in combat, Boeing does a lot of work in the general defense industry. They certainly are known for their aircraft like the 747 and 787, but they also build military aircraft like the KC-135 and the Apache helicopter. If you ask around though, you’ll find out that they make a lot of weapons too.

Missiles, rotorcrafts, unmanned drones, ammunitions are just a few of the armaments that Boeing manufacturers and sells to the military. Boeing doesn’t just make aircraft and weaponry. Boeing is one of the leading companies for energy and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) technology too. A quick walk around the massive exhibit area shows that Boeing has many technologies that work to provide our soldiers and airmen the information they need in the combat zone to get the job done.

While the money’s good, they don’t just do it for profit. Frank Hull, an executive from Boeing, said, “We support soldiers by providing intelligence.” Boeing does the work they do because they want to make the lives of our nation’s men and women in the armed forces easier when they are in combat.

Story by Emarah Cousar, Additional Reporting and Editing by Pedro Rampolla

Oct

10

“If I can do it, you can too. So what’s your excuse?”

Posted by : Zia Johnson | On : October 10, 2011

Category: AUSA, Day 3, Interviews, Interviews, News, Sights and Sounds

David Swaim is the self-proclaimed oldest man running the race. He is 65 years old and started running the Army 10 Miler in 1980 after he broke his back. He broke his back in a weight lifting accident.

Q: When did you break your back?

A: Broke it in ’79. Went to the VA Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, and a young man named Ike Cook got a lot of the veterans started in racing. He lost his legs in Vietnam. Double amputee. He got quiet a few of us involved in racing.

Q: What is your message to other military service men and women that have been injured?

A: We try to show other veterans yeah you’re hurt or you’re paralyzed, or you’re legless, but you can get out and get involved in something. Don’t be sedentary. And especially a lot of times I talk to the younger guys and they find out I’m 65 years old. “Look, I’m an old codger. If I can do it, you can too. So what’s your excuse?

Q: What type of things do you do to prepare mentally, physically for a race like this?

A: I try to explain to a lot of young racers, I tell them you have to put the mileage in. You don’t do 3 miles a day if you’re going to run a marathon that’s 26 miles. You look at your leg muscles compared to your arm muscles. [Legs] are so much stronger. What we have to do is train for endurance.

Personally I run 26 to 28 miles a day. I do that because I don’t like the younger guys out running me, but I’m also realistic. I’m no longer 29-30 years old. And I just go out and do the best I can, but I tell the young guys to do your best you’ve got to put in the mileage.

Q: One last question, sir. How are you going to celebrate today?

A: What I’m doing now. We just all get together and have a good time. And after it, it’s just comradery. During the race it’s dog eat dog, “You move over! Get out of my way! I’m trying to run!” It’s dog eat dog. But that’s part of the racing. But the comradery no matter if you’re in the Army, in my case the Marine Corps., the Navy; we all served. And there’s a closeness we all face. Some of us are pars, quads, legless but we’re all in the same boat. We’ve served our country and did what our country asked us to do. Now we’re just doing the best we can.

 

Story by Zia Johnson, Photo by Alexus Packwood

Oct

10

AUSA – First day!

Posted by : Linda Dennis | On : October 10, 2011

Category: AUSA, Day 4, Ms. D's Notes, Quick Updates, Sights and Sounds

First days are always a test. A test of knowledge. A test of how to find the location of your booth. Where the bathroom is. Where the refreshments are.  The Washington Convention Center is absolutely huge!  Our booth is in the AUSA Family Programs Area, and it has to be filled with 27” iMacs from Apple, our banner and lights for our recording area.  It was crowded, but a good kind of crowded.  It was all digital stuff, and our movies playing on each monitor.  Best of all was the table skirt that Diana, our creative designer, worked up for us – it spelled out – A Backpack Journalist – building resiliency through creative expression.  In other words, finding one’s voice!

Our team of youth – all 11 of them were divided into two groups.  With each group went a writing and photo teacher, and then we had our two film makers.

Early in the morning, Ms. Dennis checked into the US Army Public Affairs Room to get the schedule of the day.  While there, she learned that the Defense News was interviewing lots of the top brass at the top of the stairs!  Even better, CNN was coming over! Needless to say, lots and lots to do!  However there was a rule, only exhibitors allowed into hall, and we only had press badges.  So we had to go secure another badge!  It took some time, but we did end up with two badges – as we were exhibiting in addition to our press badges!  What an experience with these youth- their first time at the AUSA Conference, and they ended up credentialed with not one, but two badges!
One group went off to the opening ceremony, and the other over to the National Guard booth, or should I say castle? That thing was huge!  They all agreed after talking that watching the opening ceremony and the presentation of the colors by the the Washington Guard was most memorable, and then the different athletic related displays and simulators at the National Guard Booth and meeting some of the Olympian athletes were also pretty cool.

While in the National Guard booth, we were privileged to meet up with LTC Doneas and then Chief of Staff for the Army Guard.  He asked a lot about A Backpack Journalist, and we were eager to share!  They welcomed all the Backpackers in for a tour and then another tour, and then another tour!! Needless to say, I think you know that we took just a couple tours.  It was hard to leave with all those neat simulators and machines just waiting for us to test out.

As we continued on, one of our afternoon assignments was to tour and report on the US Army Warrior Corner booth.  The social media corner was the first stop, and seeing as most of the youth are all pretty familiar with the technologies used, the Virtual Leadership Soldier display was ranked as another one of their favorite and was really something new and different for them, and yet it still was very familiar. Thanks to Erika for sharing www.army.mil and how they derive their content. It was neat because they even got to see how they upload it!

As we made our way back to our booth though, a group of backpackers wandered into the Army European Command booth where there were little kiosks with information and touch screen interactive challenges or “games”.  LTG Mark Hertling, CG happened to be around his booth and began interacting with our Backpackers, playing the kiosk games with them! Our Backpackers, realizing what was happening, began to interview LTG Hertling. After Mama Lynch came back to the booth to let us know what was going on, we all got up to go on a trip to Europe! LTG Hertling was so kind and eager to share his knowledge of journalism and history with us all.  As we all came back, each Backpacker was taking turns interviewing him, each asking different questions. It really was such a cool sight, seeing all of these teens interacting with this three star General!

But it didn’t stop there, no it did not! LTG Hertling invited all of the Backpackers to sit down with him and a reporter from Politico, Charles Hoskinson, who had an interviewed lined up with the General.  The General thought it would be a good experience for the backpackers to view an interview by a professional journalist and it certainly was! After the Mr. Hoskinson’s interview was complete, the General added that it came with a catch! Mr. Hoskinson was to now be interviewed by the Backpackers with LTG Hertling running the press conference!  What an experience, one of the best real world ones yet!

So on Monday – the first day of AUSA – our backpackers experienced the finest in military tradition – got educated on how recruiting is done – went Virtual in the US Army Booth – then to Europe in the Army European Command – and lastly – took a trip up the hill and spoke with Politico.

All in all – a very exciting day here at AUSA! More to come!

Oct

10

“America still supports you.”

Posted by : Zia Johnson | On : October 10, 2011

Category: AUSA, Day 3, Interviews, Interviews, Sights and Sounds

On Valentine’s Day 2003, love was not on the minds of many Americans. The great debate of our nation was about going to war in Iraq. In the midst of the debate, Deb Rickert wanted to send a simple message of support and love. Rickert is the founder and president of Operation Support Our Troops – America, a military support non-profit organization.

 

Q: What is the mission of your organization?

A: Our mission is to support and improve the morale and wellbeing of our troops serving in harms way, their families, and the returning veterans. We do that through several different programs [such as] a comfort package program; we send 25 lbs packages to our troops all filled with items donated from the community. So a lot of the mission is to keep the community involved under the premise that they are all of our loved ones. You know these aren’t just my sons. These are the sons and daughters of all America, husbands and wives of all Americans.”

 

A mom’s support organization for deported troops. A proud military mom Deb Rickert (left) and son , Lieutenant David Rickert (right) work on their booth at the D.C. National Guard to gain awareness of Operation Support Our Troops - America .

Q: Are there any other programs Operation Support Our Troops – America has?

A: On Veterans Day, Operation Support Our Troops – America launched “America Has Not Forgotten.” This program was created in reaction to research findings that 70% of American asked responded that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan had no affect on them. “We believe that Americans do care about our troops. I truly believe that, but they need to be reminded. They need to be made aware, and when they are made aware they respond appropriately.”

Operation Support Our Troops – America also has partnered up with the U.S. Army Golden Knights to do a program called “Leap of Faith”. The two day seminar starts with a workshop on how families can deal with the grief after losing a service member. The last day participants can take a leap of faith in the form of skydiving with the tandem team of the US Army Golden Knights.

 

Q: Are you currently military? Do you have a husband or a son or a daughter serving?

A:  Two Sons. Here’s one of them, Lieutenant David Rickert currently serving at Fort Benning, well he’s currently standing right here. And I have an older son Captain Dan Ricket currently serving at Fort Bragg.

 

Q: How can Civilians get involved with your organization?

A: The very simple things. Find out who at your job, who in your neighborhood has someone serving. And ask them, “How are you today? How are you doing with this?” You can, through our organization, you can write letters. Mail them to us and well put them [in the care packages]. These are the care packages that we send. Every care package comes with a packet of letters from community members. So remembered that when our troops are gone if they feel like they are forgotten it’s going to make it that much harder for them to come back and reintegrate successfully. But if they’re over there, and they are getting letters of support from average citizens, not just from their mom and dad, but from average citizens then when they come home this is still their America. It’s their community.

 

Reported by Zia Johnson, Photo by Alexus Packwood

Oct

10

“Lots of hills. Lots and lots of hills.”

Posted by : Zia Johnson | On : October 10, 2011

Category: AUSA, Day 3, Interviews, Quick Updates, Sights and Sounds

When runner Sheila Van Kuren arrives at a hill a smile forms on her face. She likes hills. They are a welcomed challenged.

Van Kuren describes the Army 10 miler course as having a lot of hills. This is her second time running the 10 Miler.  “When I ran this last year it was more of an emotional experience. And I am inspired when I run with the military and the wounded warriors.” Sheila can’t help but to feel honored when running with them.

She is a runner who is dedicated to training for the Army 10 miler. She starts her training at the beginning of the year with 3-4 miles and then this increases each weekend. By May, she is running 10 miles every Saturday or Sunday.  The weekend before the Army Ten Mile race Sheila Van Kuren ran those 10 miles in the pouring rain.

Report by Zia Johnson, Picture by Alexus Packwood

Oct

10

Interview with MG Lynn, CG of Fort Gordon

Posted by : Quincy Winder | On : October 10, 2011

Category: Day 4, Interviews, Interviews, News, Sights and Sounds

Recently, Quincy Winder, Youth Challenge Graduate and Backpack Journalist, had an opportunity to sit and interview MG Alan Lynn, Commanding General of Fort Gordon, Georgia. What you are about to read is the transcript of the interview.

Enjoy!

Winder: So your father served in Vietnam, what were some things you learned from him being deployed?

Lynn: He was just my father, and he had this job that I really didn’t understand. What I really learned is when I did my first deployment to Desert Storm, my father who had multiple deployments, told me that this was the hardest thing ever for him!

 

Q: Today’s military use of technology is a lot different. We have many different ways to communicate such as cell phones and Internet. What ways did you stay in contact with your father?

Lynn:  During my father’s deployment, we didn’t even have Internet back then. We would talk “live” to him using a type of “ham radio network” (High Frequency radios).  It was phone to radio and then transmitted. I would talk to my father using all signs of radio speaking; so we would say “I LOVE YOU OVER” just like a walkie talkie. So that’s how we communicated with my father. If I didn’t have time to talk to my father, I would write letters to him. We would also send packages.

Q: What was your favorite package you received when you were deployed?

Lynn: My favorite package was home made cookies! Because we were eating M.R.E’s, so just anything different! They were chocolate chip cookies and my mom made them.

 

Q: I understand that you earned your bachelor’s degree in English. Backpack Journalist are training military youth, and we are helping them by expressing their feelings through writing.  How has your English degree aided you in your military career?

Lynn: Your ability to communicate in written form is critical in any career. What they teach you in journalism is to be succinct in your writing. Writing less has a big impact. If you can tell leadership and soldiers in a much shorter space, you will have a much bigger impact as a leader. We brought in English instructors to teach soldiers and junior leaders how to write.

 

Q: Is there any particular message you would like to send out to the audience at the AUSA meeting?

Lynn: For the Army Family Covenant, we need to put a spotlight on sacrifices of the family and make sure that we take care of our families as they are the strength of the Army!

 

Q: Can you explain a little bit about the Signal Corp?

Lynn: The Signal Corp is the communications company, worldwide for the US Army.  We are responsible for all communications. Fort Gordon is the home of the Signal Corp. We actually did movies about communications and won three Oscars in the 1940s. They were all documentaries.

 

Q: Have you had any special training for maintaining multiple projects? How did you organize yourself to be able to maintain multiple projects?

Lynn: As soon as you come into the Army you become responsible, whether it’s for a whole bunch of vehicles or even systems for example. You have to make them all work together to support your team.  In the Signal Corp the skills of juggling multiple projects starts from the beginning. That’s definitely one skill that the Army gives you – how to handle multiple projects at once!

 

Q: How did you sharpen your organization skills?

Lynn: I grew up in the military family. Organization was built into our DNA. We had to be on time, we had to travel a lot. We kind of had a leg up, being an army brat made me organized.

 

Q: We are curious about your fluency in Italian.

Lynn:  Yes, I was deployed to Italy in my career, and I had to learn to speak the language in order to perform my job requirements.

 

Q: Well thanks Sir for your time today.

Lynn:  Quincy, this is just for you.  Keep moving forward.  Never give up!  You have graduated now from Youth Challenge here at Fort Gordon, and we are proud of you!

 

Report by Quincy Winder, Questions and Additional Reporting by Zia Johnson

Editor’s note:  special thanks to MG Lynn.  Following this interview, he quietly “coined” Quincy.  As he “coined” him, he also shared with him the tradition of the “giving of the coin”.  We’d also like to remember the days of George Washington, and the rumor that we heard also about coining – i.e. he gave a coin to each soldier as they exited the boat at the landing.  Not certain which of accounts are correct, but both sound believable.  We love traditions and especially to pay them forward!

 

 

 

 

 

 


Oct

10

“You don’t know what you are capable of until you have your mind set.”

Posted by : Kat Boynton | On : October 10, 2011

Category: AUSA, Day 4, Interviews, Interviews, Sights and Sounds

Fifty people crowded close around CPT Ivan Castro and his interviewer as Castro told the story that changed his life, his face, and his understanding of what he was capable of.

Castro was deployed to Iraq when his fateful accident occurred. This accident, in September of 2006, would permanently blind him by taking away completely one of his eyes, and losing sight in the other. While home, Castro lay in bed – and that was all he did. He lost so much muscle, and gained so much fat during this time that he had forgotten how to walk. So why then, was he registering for the Army Ten Miler?
CPT Castro - Kat Boynton

Castro had no idea what he was capable of while lying in bed, but he decided to find out. He had to relearn how to walk, but he turned his life around through cardiovascular exercising. He gained back his muscle and lost his fat. But, he would not just stop at learning how to walk; he made two goals, short term, and long term:

to run the Army 10 Miler, and to run a marathon.

Castro continued his training to achieve his goals with the support of his wife and children. Proving to be successful, Castro has overcome all obstacles that were in his way by running five Army 10 Milers, 19 marathons, two 50 Milers, and two triathlons.

“You never know what you are capable of until you have your mind set,” Castro says.