Finding his Army Family

By Pfc. Chung Il KimJune 5, 2015

Finding his Army Family
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Finding his Army Family
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Finding his Army Family
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Finding his Army Family
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Finding his Army Family
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CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea -- The United States Army is about being a team member, leading Soldiers to complete the mission and at the end of the day being there for another. One can find a family inside their unit that can help push them and motivate them to become better and provide the support and resiliency that a Soldier needs.

The Toughest Talon is a competition that Soldiers in the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade participate in each year. It is the ultimate physical and military-skill challenge. The event includes an Army Physical Fitness Test, rope climbing, cross fit, tire flipping, litter carrying, road marching, stress shooting, and a nine-line medevac radio transmission. Only a handful of selected Soldiers participate in the competition from each battalion.

Sgt. Timothy K. Han, a command group driver with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division participated in three Toughest Talon competitions and two Best Warrior Competitions, which is held by the 2nd Infantry Division, during his assignment to South Korea.

The question is why would he participate in all of these competitions?

"I want to set an example to other Soldiers that you can do competitions even after the daily tasks that we all have to do," Han said.

Sgt. Ken Chambers, a senior signal support specialist, who have been working with Sgt. Han the past 7 months said, "He is competent and motivates his fellow Soldiers to work harder."

As a matter of fact, Han is also the remedial PT instructor for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company. Every evening, he wears an Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) and instructs PT for the Soldiers who need help with their physical fitness.

"I wear an IOTV to understand the difficulty that the overweight Soldiers faces when they do pushups and other exercises," said Sgt. Han.

Han has a passion for a physical challenge, but he does find that competition is extremely stressful. Every time he wants to quit, Han thinks of his friend, Kevin Tran, which helps him find his motivation.

"I met Kevin when I was in the 7th grade, and we hung out all the time until he passed away my junior year in high school," Han said.

Han grew up without support and care from his parents so the loss of his best friend crushed his heart.

"When Kevin passed away and my brother joined the Air Force, there was nobody around for me," Han said.

He said he thought he could get over the sorrow of losing his friend by joining the Army.

"I have never done any competition before, never won awards, and never had meals three times a day before joining the Army," Han said. "I love the Army, and I have such a large amount support from my chain of command."

Sgt. Han said that he plans to go to the next board to join the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club, a private U.S. Army organization for enlisted non-commissioned officers while he is in Korea. For his long term plans, Han said he wishes to have a family and become a good dad because he never had that growing up.