599th Transportation Group soldier-athlete earns spot on All-Army rugby team.Following a grueling gru·el·ing also gru·el·ling adj. Physically or mentally demanding to the point of exhaustion: a grueling campaign. gru two-week trial camp at Fort Leonard Wood Fort Leonard Wood, U.S. army post, 71,000 acres (28,700 hectares), S central Mo.; est. 1940. It is one of the largest basic-training centers in the United States and also provides training for army engineers. , Mo., in October, one of 40 soldier-athletes became Military Traffic Management Command's first All-Army rugby team player. When Staff Sgt. Sisi Fuluvaka, a marine cargo specialist with the 599th Transportation Group, visited the local gym for his regular physical training workout Workout Informal repayment or loan forgiveness arrangement between a borrower and creditors. workout 1. The process of a debtor's meeting a loan commitment by satisfying altered repayment terms. , he spotted an application for the elite team, and the rest is history. Fuluvaka's commanding stature leaves no doubt that this soldier-athlete is fit for the rough-and-tumble sport that was added to the Army and Armed Forces Sports calendars two years ago. Competition for selection to the All-Army team was tough. Active-duty soldiers from the Department of Army worldwide vied for the 30 coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. positions as they touted their skills and mastery of the sport before the chief of the All-Army Sports office and coaching staff in Virginia. "Fuluvaka's 15 years of past playing experience gave him the cutting edge," said Peter Burke Peter Burke (born 1937) is a British historian. He was educated by the Jesuits and at St John's College, Oxford, where he obtained his doctorate. From 1962 to 1979 he was part of the School of European Studies at Sussex University, before moving to the University of Cambridge where , the varsity sports coordinator for the Army in Hawaii. "You have to be one of the best to even be considered for acceptance to the trial camp--we're not talking about those guys who have only high school playing experience," said Burke. Burke took one look at Fuluvaka's qualifications and without hesitation sent the application on to the Virginia sports office for consideration. Fuluvaka and select team members went on to participate in the Armed Forces rugby tournament, Oct. 7-12, when U.S. military rugby players Rugby player can refer to a participant in one of two different sports rugby union and rugby league.
For Fuluvaka, rugby has always been his favored sport and he plays it with a passion. "The game demands a lot of rough physical contact and competition is fierce, but through it all there is a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie ca·ma·ra·der·ie n. Goodwill and lighthearted rapport between or among friends; comradeship. [French, from camarade, comrade, from Old French, roommate; see comrade. ," said Fuluvaka. When asked about his thoughts on his recent sports adventure, Fuluvaka was quick to give praise and appreciation to his command. "Without the full support of my commander and fellow soldiers at the 599th, I could never have achieved this," said Fuluvaka. The leadership at the 599th fully supported Fuluvaka's initiative. "The extensive physical training and discipline developed through competitive sports enhances our soldiers strength and stamina Stamina Staying power, endurance. Mentioned in: Tai Chi to perform in real-world contingencies," said Col. Peter J. Gitto, commander of the 599th Transportation Group at Wheeler Army Air Field, Hawaii. Fuluvaka is benefiting from that training now, as a soldier deployed to support the War on Terrorism Terrorist acts and the threat of Terrorism have occupied the various law enforcement agencies in the U.S. government for many years. The Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, as amended by the usa patriot act . On Nov. 3, a 599th Transportation Group deployment support team embarked on its fourth rotation to an operating location in support of the U.S. Central Command execution of Operation Enduring Freedom. Fuluvaka is a member of that deployed team--a trained and ready professional on the playing field and on the fighting front. Terri Kojima Command Affairs Officer 599th Transportation Group |
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