Tag: #valorchallenge

Days are just getting easier each day, I think.  The workouts still throw me from time to time because of the new exercises that I’ve never heard of, but I also find myself capable of doing things I didn’t even know existed, and had I known about them I would not have thought myself capable, like Alligator Push-ups!  Have you ever tried to do push-ups and crawl at the same time?  If so, you were doing Alligator Push-ups.  They were part of the Valor Challenge today!

My day started with Arms Day at the gym.  I was able to increase my weight some, using 15 and 20 lbs. for most of my arm work, still using 8 and 12 pounds for some tricep work, but to be honest my arms were the weakest part I had doing into the challenge this time around!  It was good to have the regular routine here at least and I was able to just crank through it all.

Immediately afterword however, was Valor Challenge, which after Arm Day, was quite the challenge.  Because I had increased my weight for Arm Day, my arms were considerably less capable than usual and were having a hard time with the Alligator Push-ups requested.  The overall Valor Challenge set was 4 rounds of:  100 Step-ups, using a weight vest if needed, 100 m Run (I did a 300 meter recumbent bike), and 10 Alligator Push-ups.  Because my Arms were already pretty toast from earlier, it took me a little longer than I expected, with a final time of 31:36 to get it all done.  But I dug in and got it done!  The rest of the Valor Challenge information from Mission Six Zero is as follows:

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Deliberate Discomfort 
VALOR CHALLENGE
SGT James Matthew Treber, U.S. Army (Green Beret)

As you go through the challenge, please think about Sgt James Matthew Treber.  This Valor Challenge was suggested by our teammate, Joe Serna.

21 July 2008:  On Saturday, near Khosrow-E Sofla in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan, Treber’s Humvee rolled into a riverbed on a night patrol. Treber and two other members of his unit drowned.

He died doing exactly what he wanted to do. The military was in James Treber’s blood.  “It’s something he wanted to do when he was in high school,” said his father, Gordon Treber.

Just seven months after his wedding, Treber was deployed to Afghanistan as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Only two months into his deployment, Treber and two other members of his company were killed when their RG-31 mine-protected vehicle rolled.  After recovery efforts performed by the rest of the combat convoy, Sergeant First Class Joseph Serna was found alive but suffering from hypothermia and hypoxia.

An investigation into the events that led to the rollover of their RG-31 MRAP was conducted by the Combined Joint Task Force – 101.

Serna’s sworn statement reveals that, in the immediate aftermath of the rollover, he was trapped in the passenger compartment by ammunition cans and unable to free himself as water began filling the vehicle.

“I was covered in ammo cans so I couldn’t release my seatbelt, at which time the water began to fill up inside the cab (and) I became totally submerged in my seat,” Serna said in his statement, according to the release. “I felt a hand come down and unfasten my seatbelt and release my body armor. Sergeant Treber picked me up and moved me to a small pocket of air.”

That air pocket originally was Treber’s, who had been sitting one seat ahead of Serna during the operation.

However, once Treber freed Serna from where he was trapped, he left that air pocket to Serna after determining that there was not enough air in that particular pocket for both men to breathe as the two struggled in the darkness against frigid and rising water, the release said.

“He knew there was not enough room for both of us to breathe so he went underwater to find another pocket of air,” Serna stated. “Once he re-emerged we attempted to open the door and hatches with no success.”

Serna’s statement indicates that he blacked out shortly thereafter and, before his comrades were able to save them, Treber, Simmons and Rada Morales all died.

“Sergeant Treber’s selfless actions are in keeping with those traditions internalized within the ranks of our regiment,” Brigadier General Michael S. Repass, commander of U.S. Army Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg, said in the release. “Valor and sacrifice were not mere words to Sergeant Treber. Rather, he lost his life living the Warrior Ethos. The great sacrifice and courage which soldiers like Sergeant Treber exhibit each day inspire us to protect the values and ideals of this great country.”

Treber was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group based at Fort Bragg. During his 2-year, 7-month military career, Treber earned the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

Good luck today, guys. May your workout honor his memory. D.O.L. 

-Jason B.A. Van Camp

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From there I was able to get my cardio in at the gym, due to heavy rain, and was able to post 2.27 miles in 45 minutes, which was a pretty decent time, although I’m thinking of increasing my speed soon and seeing how I do.

I’m still behind on some of my reading of my book this week, Start With Why, but it’s been very interesting learning the difference between companies that promote themselves with the What they do or the How they do it, instead of promoting themselves with their Why they do it.  Those companies that promote themselves with their Why statement, end up growing beyond their products into lifestyle brands like Apple and Starbucks.  They are not just a computer and a coffee company, they are a company that thinks differently and a company that is an experience instead of a purchase.

The only other things I’m behind on are my bible studies, which aren’t directly Challenge related and aren’t required, but I’m hoping to get them caught up tonight and tomorrow as well.  I will get them caught up, One Way Or Another!

What a different sort of day!  We were out of town still as of this morning.  I was able to find a gym that had a weekly pass for a decent price, so I could workout while there with 24 hour access, which was nice because I tend to complete my morning workouts early in the morning around 5 am.  This means that going to a gym that requires employees to get in, is usually not going to work!

My morning workout went fairly well, once I located all of the equipment I needed to get it done!  Got it all figured out for Arms Day though!  Really starting to feel the difference in my arms after today!  Chest a little too, as the push-ups are starting to really pay off!  After my initial Arms Day workout, it was time for this weeks Valor Challenge!  This weeks challenge required 2 rounds of exercises after a 1.5 mile bike each round (my version due to my inability to run).  Altogether got it done in 24:43 for Petty Officer Danny Dietz.  Here is the Valor Challenge information from Mission Six Zero:

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Deliberate Discomfort 
VALOR CHALLENGE
Petty Officer Danny Dietz, U.S. Navy

As you go through the challenge, please think about Petty Officer Danny Dietz.  This Valor Challenge was suggested by our teammate, Jon Macaskill.  This Challenge directly hits home for Jon. Danny Dietz was in Jon’s platoon. He identified his body, escorted his body home, and was a pallbearer at his funeral.  

His Navy Cross Citation reads as follows:

For extraordinary heroism in actions against the enemy while serving in a four-man Special Reconnaissance element with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE, Naval Special Warfare Task unit, Afghanistan from 27 to 28 June 2005. Petty Officer Dietz demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan.

Operating in the middle of an enemy-controlled area, in extremely rugged terrain, his Special Reconnaissance element was tasked with locating a high-level Anti-Coalition Militia leader, in support of a follow-on direct action mission to disrupt enemy activity. On 28 June 2005, the element was spotted by Anti-Coalition Militia sympathizers, who immediately revealed their position to the militia fighters. As a result, the element directly encountered the enemy. 

Demonstrating exceptional resolve and fully understanding the gravity of the situation and his responsibility to his teammates, Petty Officer Dietz fought valiantly against the numerically superior and positionally advantaged enemy force.

Remaining behind in a hailstorm of enemy fire, Petty Officer Dietz was wounded by enemy fire. Despite his injuries, he bravely fought on, valiantly defending his teammates and himself in a harrowing gunfight, until he was mortally wounded. 

By his undaunted courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and absolute devotion to his teammates, Petty Officer Dietz will long be remembered for the role he played in the Global War on Terrorism. Petty Officer Dietz’ courageous and selfless heroism, exceptional professional skill, and utmost devotion to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for the cause of freedom.

Good luck today, guys. May your workout honor his memory.

-Jason B.A. Van Camp

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It’s always an honor to do the Valor Challenge, and I’m thankful that my family understands my commitment to doing this part of the Challenge every week!

My afternoon cardio workout wasn’t the typical way of doing things, but it is what it is!  We decided to join a little online Geolocation Event that required walking all over the town we were in looking for clues, solving puzzles and riddles, finding more locations, until we solved the whole game.  I decided that we were walking enough after we did part of it so start tracking my progress to see how much more walking we did.  We completed another 1.06 miles in 70 minutes (there was a LOT of standing in one spot reading clues, then walking to the next spot, etc.).  Altogether I think we completed 2 miles or more, but don’t have an exact count.  It was outside, in a slight drizzle rain, and sometimes required us to hustle to the next location because we were being timed!  On the overall we were playing for 3 hours or more, and the whole family also agreed that this should count for my afternoon walk!

I also need to highlight my Gratitude Journal entry today, which I don’t usually do!  I’m thankful for God looking after us today and putting whoever it was in our path that purchased our entire family’s lunch today!  We don’t know who you were, but it was very kind of you to recognize us praying and paying for our lunch just because we were praying in public.  Humbling, and Kind!  Thank you, and Thank God for sending you!

Because of all the travelling I wasn’t able to get a lot of my other tasks completed until after we got home, but they are all done now!  I have a lot of catching up to do in my reading tomorrow, as I wasn’t able to read as fast as I would like on the trip.  We will have to see how that works out tomorrow!  Either way it was a fun day, with lots of adventure, and I’m glad to be home!  I would hate to still be out and possibly end up Late, For a Very Important Date!

Today, the morning workout was a welcome regular Arms Day workout, lots of dumbbell work!  Got the biceps, triceps, and forearms all in there!  Overhead extensions, curls, and extensions?  Check!  Then came Valor Challenge.  Valor Challenge this week started with 60 burpees, with a loving note that all 60 had to be finished before moving to the next weight and/or set.  They were followed by 60 sit-ups, and a 400 meter run (0.7 mile bike for me).  My time was 20:52.  It may seem slow to some, but 60 burpees after my 34 push-ups for warm up and all the arm work on Arms Day, made me take some time for sure!  Either way, it’s for a good cause.  Here is the Valor Challenge information from Mission Six Zero:

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Deliberate Discomfort 
VALOR CHALLENGE
Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez, U.S. Army SF

As you go through the challenge, please think about Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez and his example.  

MSG Benavidez was born in Texas.  When he was two years old, his father died of tuberculosis and his mother remarried. Five years later, his mother died from tuberculosis as well. Benavidez enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard in 1952 at the age of 17 during the Korean War. In June 1955, he switched from the Army National Guard to Army active duty. In 1959, he completed Airborne training, and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  He qualified as a Green Beret and was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group.

In 1965 he was sent to South Vietnam as an advisor to an Army of the Republic of Vietnam infantry regiment. He stepped on a land mine during a patrol and was evacuated to the United States. Doctors at Fort Sam Houston concluded he would never walk again and began preparing his medical discharge papers.   Getting out of bed at night (against doctors’ orders), Benavidez would crawl using his elbows and chin to a wall near his bedside and (with the encouragement of his fellow patients, many of whom were permanently paralyzed and/or missing limbs) he would prop himself against the wall and attempt to lift himself unaided, starting by wiggling his toes, then his feet, and then eventually (after several months of excruciating practice that, by his own admission, often left him in tears) pushing himself up the wall with his ankles and legs. After over a year of hospitalization, Benavidez walked out of the hospital in July 1966, with his wife at his side, determined to return to combat in Vietnam. Despite continuing pain from his wounds, he returned to South Vietnam in January 1968.

On May 2, 1968, a 12-man Special Forces patrol, which included nine Montagnard tribesmen, was surrounded by a NVA infantry battalion of about 1,000 men and began taking fire. Benavidez heard the radio appeal for help and boarded a helicopter to respond. His Medal of Honor Citation tells the story:

Master Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) Roy P. Benavidez United States Army, distinguished himself by a series of daring and extremely valorous actions on 2 May 1968 while assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam.

On the morning of 2 May 1968, a 12-man Special Forces Reconnaissance Team was inserted by helicopters of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company in a dense jungle area west of Loc Ninh, Vietnam to gather intelligence information about confirmed large-scale enemy activity. This area was controlled and routinely patrolled by the North Vietnamese Army. After a short period of time on the ground, the team met heavy enemy resistance, and requested emergency extraction. Three helicopters attempted extraction, but were unable to land due to intense enemy small arms and anti-aircraft fire.

Sergeant Benavidez was at the Forward Operating Base in Loc Ninh monitoring the operation by radio when these helicopters, of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, returned to off-load wounded crew members and to assess aircraft damage. Sergeant Benavidez voluntarily boarded a returning aircraft to assist in another extraction attempt. Realizing that all the team members were either dead or wounded and unable to move to the pickup zone, he directed the aircraft to a nearby clearing where he jumped from the hovering helicopter, and ran approximately 75 meters under withering small arms fire to the crippled team.

Prior to reaching the team’s position he was wounded in his right leg, face, and head. Despite these painful injuries, he took charge, repositioning the team members and directing their fire to facilitate the landing of an extraction aircraft, and the loading of wounded and dead team members. He then threw smoke canisters to direct the aircraft to the team’s position. Despite his severe wounds and under intense enemy fire, he carried and dragged half of the wounded team members to the awaiting aircraft. He then provided protective fire by running alongside the aircraft as it moved to pick up the remaining team members. As the enemy’s fire intensified, he hurried to recover the body and classified documents on the dead team leader.

When he reached the leader’s body, Sergeant Benavidez was severely wounded by small arms fire in the abdomen and grenade fragments in his back. At nearly the same moment, the aircraft pilot was mortally wounded, and his helicopter crashed. Although in extremely critical condition due to his multiple wounds, Sergeant Benavidez secured the classified documents and made his way back to the wreckage, where he aided the wounded out of the overturned aircraft, and gathered the stunned survivors into a defensive perimeter. Under increasing enemy automatic weapons and grenade fire, he moved around the perimeter distributing water and ammunition to his weary men, reinstilling in them a will to live and fight. Facing a buildup of enemy opposition with a beleaguered team, Sergeant Benavidez mustered his strength, began calling in tactical air strikes and directed the fire from supporting gunships to suppress the enemy’s fire and so permit another extraction attempt.

He was wounded again in his thigh by small arms fire while administering first aid to a wounded team member just before another extraction helicopter was able to land. His indomitable spirit kept him going as he began to ferry his comrades to the craft. On his second trip with the wounded, he was clubbed from behind by an enemy soldier. In the ensuing hand-to-hand combat, he sustained additional wounds to his head and arms before killing his adversary.  (He was stabbed in his stomach with an NVA’s knife, pulled that knife out, and killed him with it.)  He then continued under devastating fire to carry the wounded to the helicopter. Upon reaching the aircraft, he spotted and killed two enemy soldiers who were rushing the craft from an angle that prevented the aircraft door gunner from firing upon them. With little strength remaining, he made one last trip to the perimeter to ensure that all classified material had been collected or destroyed, and to bring in the remaining wounded.

Only then, in extremely serious condition from numerous wounds and loss of blood, did he allow himself to be pulled into the extraction aircraft. After the battle, he was evacuated to the base camp, examined, and thought to be dead. As he was placed in a body bag among the other dead in body bags, he was suddenly recognized by a friend who called for help. A doctor came and examined him but believed Benavidez was dead. The doctor was about to zip up the body bag when Benavidez managed to spit in his face, alerting the doctor that he was alive. Benavidez had a total of 37 separate bullet, bayonet, and shrapnel wounds from the six-hour fight with the enemy. Sergeant Benavidez’ gallant choice to join voluntarily his comrades who were in critical straits, to expose himself constantly to withering enemy fire, and his refusal to be stopped despite numerous severe wounds, saved the lives of at least eight men. His fearless personal leadership, tenacious devotion to duty, and extremely valorous actions in the face of overwhelming odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect the utmost credit on him and the United States Army.

Benavidez was evacuated once again to Fort Sam Houston’s Brooke Army Medical Center, where he eventually recovered. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism and four Purple Hearts. In 1969, he was assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas. In 1972, he was assigned to Fort Sam Houston, Texas where he remained until retirement.  He received the Medal of Honor on February 24, 1981.  He passed away on November 29, 1998, at the age of 63.

Good luck today, guys. May your workout honor his memory.

-Jason B.A. Van Camp

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The rest of my tasks tended to just pile up today! We started the day by trying to get some work in, as we are behind on a few things, but that just wasn’t working at all for either one of us.  Between the littles being persistent in not wanting to play in their rooms, to a million other interruptions through the few hours we were trying, we just weren’t getting anything done.  We eventually moved on and completed a few other tasks in the front room, and moved on from there.  I only recently got some of my reading in, but I think I’m still a little behind and that leaves me a ton of reading to finish up tomorrow.  I’m up for it, and hoping I can get it done, but we’ll have to see how well I sleep and how church goes!

I did get a nice cardio walk in with my eldest, we were able to chat about video games and life in general, which was nice and relaxing.  We haven’t been able to get a ton of time in with each other, so that was a blessing today.  We were able to get to 2.0 miles in 47 minutes.  A slower pace, but we were getting quality father/son time, you know?

Everything else has been squeezed in over the last couple of hours, but I think I’m done and ready!  With all the change up and uncertainty we were experiencing with getting focused time, it was definitely a Day Of Not So Much Rest!

What a weird day today has been!  There are all sorts of little anomalies today, that normally don’t happen, but seem to be setting the day apart.  Some of them are good, some of them aren’t bad or good, but distracting, and a few of them are less desirable.  For example, a cashier asked right out loud if the littles could have stickers, and in a panic we answered a rather loud, “NO!”  Last time we did that the stickers got stuck to the leather seats in the car and it took us two days to get it off.  He ended up with this deer in the headlights look on his face, before we realized how loud we were and explained ourselves.  He was initially surprised and thought he had done something to upset us, which wasn’t the case.  Once the truth was out, everyone was pleased and he quickly asked us if the littles could have a treat instead, to which we were obliged to accept.  So that is the theme today, and we shall get back on track!

Morning workout was Arms Day!  Tons of dumbbell work for the biceps, triceps, and forearms along with a little core work.  Altogether, one of my favorite days in the weekly workout regiment.  After that was the Valor Challenge, which this time consisted of sets of Burpees (I do a modified version) followed by Shuttle Runs.  I substituted .1 miles on the bike for all but the last two rounds which went to .2 and .25 miles to match the increasing quantities and distances.  My overall time for the Valor Challenge was 21:30 exactly.  Some of this was the getting on and off the bike, but it is what it is.  The Valor Challenge information from Mission Six Zero is:

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Deliberate Discomfort 
VALOR CHALLENGE
MAJ Thomas Kennedy, U.S. Army

As you go through the challenge, please think about Major Thomas Kennedy, of New York, New York.  This Valor Challenge also pays respect to our Mission Six Zero teammate, Florent Groberg (MOH).

Major Thomas Kennedy was originally from New City in Rockland County and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy (Class of 2000), where he was on the hockey team, as well as where he’d also worked the past several years.  He was the son of a former NYPD detective. 

Kennedy was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division based at Fort Carson.

He was one of four Americans killed along with an Afghan civilian in a suicide attack on Aug. 8. Also killed were USAID foreign service officer Ragaei Abdelfattah; Air Force Maj. Walter D. Gray, of Conyers, Ga.; and Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, of Laramie, Wyoming.

In August 2012, Mission Six Zero Team member and Medal of Honor recipient, Flo Groberg was leading a personal security detachment with the 4th Infantry Division’s Task Force Mountain Warrior in a mission through the town of Asadabad.

They were in a protective diamond formation around a group of visiting VIPs — two brigade commanders, three battalion commanders, the brigade’s command sergeant major and an Afghan general — who were moving on foot toward a provincial compound for a security conference.

Groberg had gotten fewer servicemembers than he wanted for the mission and was taking every precaution to keep the group safe. At a bridge — a natural choke point along the route – the group encountered Afghans on two motorcycles. It caused no immediate alarm but was likely a diversion.

The situation then took a bizarre and ominous turn.  A man came out of a building along the route and began walking backward. Groberg was tracking him, but thought that the Afghan might have had a mental disability. Suddenly, the man made a 180-degree turn, faced the group and charged.  The Afghan was wearing a suicide vest with a “dead-man’s trigger.” It had been activated and ready to detonate before the bomber approached the security detachment and VIPs.  All the bomber had to do was release his grip and he did.

Kennedy deployed to Afghanistan in July. He had earned three Bronze Stars and is survived by his wife, Kami, and two children, Brody and Margaret.

Good luck today, guys. May your workout honor his memory.

-Jason B.A. Van Camp

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Everything else went rather well, including the reading of Mere Christianity, which is blowing my mind awesome, in my opinion.  I’m almost done, so finishing it up tomorrow should not be a problem.

Afternoon workout was a little strange just because I kept hearing voices from somewhere, but couldn’t figure out where.  I’m thinking there was someone upstairs in the gym or something that I just could not locate, but I’m not really sure.  The cardio itself went well, with a record distance for the short workout of 1.79 miles in 35 minutes.  I cranked the treadmill up a little and worked a little harder today…felt good! 

Getting finished up a little late, but with as busy of a day as we had (did some epic shopping to restock the house), I’m not sure I could have worked it any better. 

It’s just A Weird One!

So not many people celebrate things like getting a third of the way through anything, but today I feel needs celebration.  I’m a full third of the way through Deliberate Discomfort!  YAY! 

This challenge has taxed me in numerous different ways, from physically wearing me out at times, to stressing me out wondering how I’m going to get everything done in a day!  All the research I’ve had to do for new-to-me exercises that I’ve never heard before, some of which have the most ridiculous names, like Mr. Spectacular (not looking forward to those next time).

All in all though, I’m feeling good!  I’m feeling much stronger, much healthier, like I’m more capable somehow because of it all.  Life is looking up because of it all.  My journey has continued health wise form the front page of our blog.  I’ve been officially diagnosed with diabetes and high triglycerides (which I already had).  I’ve got more potential problems coming, but because we were starting this program the Dr. wanted to hold off to see how I did in losing some weight and how my labs came in afterwards.  I’m hoping he says I don’t need any of the medications any more, but that may be wishful thinking on my part.  We shall see!  I know I’m working my butt off physically, and I’ve almost completely cut out carbs and simple starches like potatoes.  I splurge a little bit once a week or so and have a few tater tots or something, so I’m not denying myself anything completely, but I am making sure that I am minimizing how much I have to make sure I’m in the best possible position to not need meds from here on, if I can!

Today’s workout was Arms Day, so lots of weight work with dumbbells, some minimal floor work for the warm up and then some Flat Bench Knees to Elbows and Bench Dips, but honestly I don’t mind Arms Day…it is one of the ways I’m feeling stronger!

Cardio went pretty well, without anywhere near as much coughing as I have been doing due to my allergies, which is a victory for me!  These allergies have been hanging on almost the entire challenge and I’ve had to medicate regularly for both nasal congestion and lung congestion, and even use an inhaler because of how much gets into my lungs.  So, without coughing I was able to pull in 1.74 miles walking on a treadmill in 35 minutes.  A pretty good pace for me, so another win!

Also, completely finished my book 1984 today, so don’t even have to read any of it tomorrow!  Ready to start my next book Monday, which will be Animal Farm also by George Orwell.  After Animal Farm I plan on going back to the self-help books to see what else I can learn to do better, but it’s been a nice break and it is the first novel I’ve read in quite some time!  I’ve missed being able to read regularly.

Today was also the Valor Challenge!  Here is the information from Mission Six Zero:

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Deliberate Discomfort 
VALOR CHALLENGE
SSG Robert Miller, U.S. Army
(Green Beret)

As you go through the challenge, please think about SSG Robert Miller.  This Valor Challenge was recommended by our Mission Six Zero teammate, Rusty Whitt. Rusty and Rob went through basic training, airborne, and the selection phase of the Q course together and they became friends. 

Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of heroism while serving as the weapons sergeant in Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3312, Special Operations Task Force 33, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan, during combat operations against an armed enemy in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on January 25th, 2008.

Devotion to duty.  An abiding sense of honor.  A profound love of country.  These were the virtues that found their ultimate expression when Rob — just 24 years old and on his second tour — met his testing point on January 25, 2008.

Rob and his team were in the remote northwest of Afghanistan.  Their mission:  clear a valley of insurgents who had been attacking Afghan forces and terrorizing villagers.  On foot, in the dark and freezing cold, the team headed over to a destroyed compound, to assess the damage and gather intelligence. 

First, it was just a single insurgent, jumping out from behind a boulder.  Then, the whole valley seemed to explode with gunfire.  Within seconds, Rob and his patrol were pinned down, with almost no cover — bullets and rocket-propelled grenades raining down from every direction.  And when enemy reinforcements poured in, the odds were overwhelming.  Rob’s small patrol of two dozen men was nearly surrounded by almost 150 insurgents.

With the enemy just feet away — some so close he could see their faces — Rob held his ground.  Despite the chaos around him, he radioed back enemy positions.  As the only Pashto speaker on his team, he organized the Afghan soldiers around him.  But the incoming fire, in the words of one soldier, was simply “astounding.”

Rob called for his team to fall back and then he did something extraordinary.  Rob moved in the other direction — toward the enemy, drawing their guns away from his team and bringing the fire of all those insurgents down upon himself.  The fighting was ferocious.  Rob continued to call out the enemy’s position.  And they could hear his weapon still firing as he provided cover for his men.  And then, over the radio, they heard his voice.  He had been hit.  But still, he kept calling out enemy positions.  Still, he kept firing.  Still, he kept throwing his grenades until Rob’s weapon fell silent.

Two of his teammates braved the bullets and rushed to Rob’s aid.  In those final moments, they were there at his side — American soldiers there for each other. The relentless fire forced them back, but they refused to leave their fallen comrade.  When reinforcements arrived, these Americans went in again — risking their lives, taking more casualties — determined to bring Rob Miller out of that valley.  And finally, after fighting that raged for hours, they did.

When the dust settled and the smoke cleared, there was no doubt Rob Miller and his team had struck a major blow against the local insurgency.  Five members of his patrol had been wounded, but his team had survived.  And one of his teammates surely spoke for all of them when he said of Rob, “I would not be alive today if not for his ultimate sacrifice.”

Staff Sgt. Miller’s selfless acts saved the lives of his seven of his ODA members and 15 Afghan soldiers. As a result of his heroic actions, the local Insurgency was dealt a crippling blow, decimating insurgent forces involved in the battle, and shattering their morale and confidence. Staff Sergeant Miller’s heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty and at the cost of his own life are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Good luck today, guys. May your workout honor his memory.

-Jason B.A. Van Camp

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It was a great day and I’ve been having a great time with the Challenge.  Even with the Valor Challenge, which can be tough at times, I’m still in it to win it and I’m…A Third Of The Way There!

So, on the overall, had a decent day.  Got my morning workout done after sleeping in a couple of hours, which was nice.  Did my Valor Challenge (more on that later), then came home and got breakfast done for the family.  Everything went fairly well there.  Morning workout was Arms day, so lots of dumb bell work, upper arms, lower arms, biceps, triceps, etc.  Still have a hard time getting the flat-bench knees to elbows going at the gym as they don’t have a flat bench available upstairs which is where I do the rest of my workout, but I’m figuring it out!

Throughout the day had a little timing issues with trying to get a special project done in the garage, along with getting all of my challenge tasks completed.  Had a great conversation with my son about his schooling and how things have been outside of his video games.  Was a nice little heart to heart.

Got the special projects completed and headed off to the gym for my afternoon cardio.  I decided that I needed to do it indoors today, because I’ve had these nasty allergies going, which is draining into my lungs as I breath, and therefore I’ve had a nasty cough for the last couple of weeks.  Every time I spend too much time in the very cold air like we had today (30s to 40s), I seem to have a much harder time breathing for a while.  It worked out in the end, because after my cardio workout I was coughing a whole lot less than usual, with my walks at the park outdoors. I’m usually a proponent for spending the time outside, and it is only because of this cough that I can’t shake that I’m trying to keep myself from failing, by getting worse and having to bow out.  I can’t have that.

This morning I did do my Valor Challenge in 17:22 this morning, which consisted of Burpees (I do a modified version of them) and 400 meter runs (also, do a modified version on the bike instead.  Our Valor Challenge this week is in honor of SGM James Sartor, U.S. Army (Green Beret).  His information from Mission Six Zero is as follows:

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Deliberate Discomfort

VALOR CHALLENGE
SGM James Sartor, U.S. Army
(Green Beret)

As you go through the challenge, please think about Sergeant Major James Sartor.  This Valor Challenge was recommended by our Mission Six Zero teammate, Jeff Adams.

Sergeant Major James Sartor, a member of the 10th Special Forces Group, died during combat operations in Faryab province, Afghanistan on Saturday, July 13, 2019. He died as a result of injures sustained when the Taliban attacked him with small arms fire during combat operations. Faryab province is located in the north west of Afghanistan. James Sartor was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group which is based at Fort Carson, Colorado.  It was his seventh deployment.

James “Ryan” Sartor, age 40, was from Teague, Texas and was born on Sept. 23, 1978. He loved sports growing up and played football for his high school team. He joined the Army in June 2001 and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division as an infantryman. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course and was assigned to 10th group in 2005.

He deployed to Iraq as an infantryman in 2002, and as a Green Beret assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th SFG (A) in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. He also deployed to Afghanistan with 10th SFG (A) in 2017 and 2019.

“We’re incredibly saddened to learn of Sgt. Maj. James ‘Ryan’ Sartor’s passing in Afghanistan. Ryan was a beloved warrior who epitomized the quiet professional,” said Col. Brian R. Rauen, commander of 10th Group. “He led his soldiers from the front and his presence will be terribly missed.”

Sartor’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Award, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster and National Defense Service Medal, among others. His posthumous awards include the Purple Heart Medal and Bronze Star Medal.

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Rest of my day has come together nicely, although a little later than I would have liked.  Sometimes that just the way the ball bounces though, right?  What I do know, is that Allergies Suck!

Day 6 – Cloudy Weather…

So not only is it blustery with rain today outside, but I’ve had this partly cloudy feeling myself lately.  I’ve finally realized that I’m just not breathing well during my workouts and in between both.  My allergies are kicking into high gear and I’ve got moderate to severe congestion, which is draining into my lungs, which is constantly making me cough.  Not being able to breath is keeping me up at night for coughing fits, and making me pause my workouts for a minute or two here and there.  Not breathing is making everything feel undesirable, which is the blah feeling I’ve been talking about for the last couple of days.

I’m getting through it…with the help of some over-the-counter congestion meds, and cough drops with a cough suppressant in them, but I can’t wait for it to be over with.  I’m hoping I can just get better sleep tonight and cough less!

One of my victories today though is that we got to sleep in for two hours (we decided ahead of time last night we would because we were both so worn out), and still get everything done.  I still had time to spend with my family after brunch for family conversation, and I was able to cook brunch for them as well. 

I was also able to complete my Valor Challenge, which is a required part of the Deliberate Discomfort Challenge.  So I completed the Valor Challenge in 28.5 minutes which is a pretty long time, because I was super tired after my morning workout, and sit-ups are hard when coughing regularly.  But I got through it, and it was all in honor of a fallen soldier.  This is the information I received for the Valor Challenge this week from Jason Van Camp, CEO of Deliberate Discomfort.  The person talking is Jason, not myself in this description:

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Deliberate Discomfort

VALOR CHALLENGE
Staff Sergeant Rob Pirelli, U.S. Army 

As you go through the challenge, please think about Staff Sergeant Rob Pirelli.

Rob and I served together on Operational Detachment – Alpha (ODA) 072. I was his commander and he was my 18C (Engineer Sergeant). During a day-time operation on August 15, 2007, to kill or capture high-value Al-Qaeda targets in the Diyala Province IVO Lake Hamrin (Iraq), Rob gave the ultimate sacrifice and was killed in action.

Pirelli, 29, of Franklin, Mass., enlisted as an infantryman in Dec. 2003. He later attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating in 2005, and was assigned as an engineer sergeant with 10th SFG (A) Fort Carson, Colo. He had recently begun his first tour of duty in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula.

Pirelli’s military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, the Warrior Leaders Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officers’ Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, and the Arabic Basic (Modern Standard Language Course).

His awards and decorations include two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

Pirelli is survived by his parents, Robert and Nancy Pirelli; brother Shawn, and sister Stacey, of Franklin, Mass.

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All in all, I had a pretty decent day for a Saturday.  Outside of challenge tasks and a few basic household duties, it was easy, mildly quiet (as quiet as it can be with 4 children at least), and worked out well.  Let’s hope this provides a little clearer skies for me in the coming days and not so much…Cloudy Weather!

God bless you all today!