Page 8 - The Dispatch May 2019

TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT

FIGHT TO BE THE BEST

Story By: Senior Airman Bryan Swink “When people decide to separate from active-duty ser-
136th Airlift Wing Public Affairs vice, they usually don’t expect to be competing a year
later in marksmanship challenges, conducting nighttime
BASTROP – Cold pounding rain continued to make condi- land navigation in total darkness, running miles in combat
tions worse. Tech Sgt. Joshua Porter had been briefed to boots with 35-pound ruck sack and racing through obsta-
expect a long day of grueling military exercises but now as cle courses,” said Porter.
he forced himself to crawl arm over arm under razor-sharp
wire, the wet sand clinging to his face and squishing be- After 10 years of active-duty, Porter moved closer to his
tween his fingers made the added another obstacle to the hometown, Mineral Wells, Texas but he still had a need to
low crawl. serve. After meeting a member of the 136th Airlift Wing
Porter was introduced to Chief Master Sgt. Mike Lowe,
Hearing his support team’s motivation from the sidelines, 136th Airlift Wing logistics and readiness squadron super-
Porter pushed himself to continue through mud and move intendent.
to the next event in the Texas Military Department's 2019
Best Warrior Competition. “I knew after speaking with Porter the first time, I want-
ed him on board and to be a part of the LRS,” said Lowe.
The Best Warrior Competition is designed to put the com- "Little did I know what type of impact he would have on
petitors through demanding physical and mental tests our shop. He’s the one who sets the example as the stan-
which include a modified Army Physical Fitness Test, an dard of physical fitness in our squadron. He’s an incredible
obstacle course, marksmanship drills, land navigation, for- motivator who inspires our Airmen to constantly work out
mal board interviews, written exams and a mystery event. and stay physically fit.”

Porter, a 136th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle main- Porter says he has always loved competition, especially
tainer, joined the wing in May 2018 after separating from when it comes to endurance-based sports like running.
active duty Air Force. Now the noncommissioned officer While on active duty he participated in three consecutive
representing the 136th Airlift Wing against the best war- Air Force Marathons representing Whiteman Air Force
riors in Texas National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. Base, Missouri.

Tech. Sgt. Joshua Porter, 136th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintainer, leaps over one of the final obstacle course events during the
Texas Military Department's 2019 Best Warrior Competition at Camp Swift, in Bastrop Texas, February 28, 2019.
(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Bryan Swink)

8 TheDISPATCH May 2019