Goodfellow Volunteers Support Local Fitness Events.

Volunteers from the Goodfellow military community are often on the front lines helping to make

local fitness events successful.

During the recent Run to Remember 10K on the Angelo State University campus, a team of volunteers from Goodfellow Air Force Base worked hard to help make the event a success.

Sgt. 1st Class Alanna Rathkopf, an AIT platoon sergeant assigned to the 344th MI BN at Goodfellow, led the volunteer team at the event.

Although the list of individuals is too long to include here, the volunteers Rathkopf coordinated included personnel from multiple branches of the armed forces.

Instead of “sleeping in” on a day off, they spent their Saturday morning manning aid stations, serving as course marshals, assisting with scoring, taking event pictures and helping with all aspects of setup and tear down of event equipment.

Their actions were typical for what you’ll see at events throughout the year as Goodfellow volunteers show up to help with cycling, running and multisport events and other activities in this area.

Even though they serve our country full time on the front line of conflicts around the world, they also serve our local community by volunteering at all types of events while off duty.

Military personnel are the type of volunteers that every race director dreams of — highly skilled and disciplined individuals who react immediately to situational needs and make sure the “event mission” is accomplished.

“The military community believes in volunteering as often as possible,” Rathkopf said. “I think it is in our nature. Today’s military is in fact made up entirely of volunteers, and I believe that the type of person who volunteers to join an organization actively engaged in combat operations is someone who must enjoy giving back to their local community to an equal extent."

“There is a lot to be said for a city like San Angelo,” she said. “If you go anywhere in uniform, someone stops to thank you for your service. It is a great feeling to know that the military is appreciated for the work we do. The soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines stationed here are some of the hardest-working individuals I have ever had the privilege of working with.”

This commitment by Goodfellow personnel toward volunteering at community events is no accident — it’s a philosophy that originates at the command levels on the base.

Sgt. 1st Class Robyn Moore, the S-1 NCOIC and volunteer coordinator for the 344th Military Intelligence Battalion, said the 344th Battalion does have a formal volunteer program.

“The battalion command team as well as all four of our company command teams definitely support and encourage volunteering in the community,” Moore said. “The installation also has an awards program that all units are able to compete in and two of the categories do involve volunteering at the unit or individual level."

“Volunteer hours set the soldiers apart from their peers but it is not a promotion board requirement. The requirement with the 344th is that the soldiers must complete 100 hours to earn the Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal (MOVSM).”

There’s also another side to this story.

Many of these same military personnel take part in local fitness events. If you look at the results from a typical race you’ll see cyclists, runners and triathletes from Goodfellow at or near the top of finishing order.

One of the things the San Angelo community could do to better to say “thank you” to the military community is to plan and conduct an annual fitness event that’s open only to military personnel.
I’m thinking some type of Warrior Dash that’s open only to warriors.

The roles would be reversed — we (the civilian community) would organize the event, provide all volunteers, cheer the participants, salute the winners and maybe feed everyone after the race.
It would be a token of our appreciation for both their service to our country and their service to our fitness community.

Remember — military volunteers from Goodfellow support our local fitness events.


Upcoming Events
 
Oct 9: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 12: ASU Homecoming Ram Run, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 14: ASU & SAISD Health Fair, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 16: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 23: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 26: Heart Walk, http://heartwalk.kintera.org
Oct. 26: MDA Ride for ALS, www2.mda.org/site/TR?fr_id=7703&pg=entry
Oct. 30: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Nov. 16: West Texas Masochist Run, roadlizards.org
Nov. 23: Turkey Trot 5K, angelo.edu/asufit