FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — The United States Army Installation Management Command recognized Sgt. Corbin Tidwell, 664th Modular Ammunition Company, 61st Quartermaster Battalion, 13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command, as this year’s military firefighter of the year.
He was selected out of thousands of firefighters within IMCOM.
When Tidwell began his career, he knew he wanted to do work that served others. Though he was interested in being a firefighter he had a strong desire to serve in the military because his parents served and there is a long history of service in his family.
“I chose the Army because I just felt like it had the most opportunity out of all the branches of service to do what I wanted to do.”
He decided he wanted to become an Army medic. The day he was supposed to fill out his paperwork to join, Tidwell said his recruiter informed him that the medic position had been filled by someone else, but there was another option.
“I had expressed interest, at one point, in being a firefighter when I got out of the Army,” he shared. “I didn’t even know the Army had firefighters. He called me back, probably an hour after he told me the medic position was gone, and told me that there’s a firefighter spot and I need to come down right now.”
After serving as a reservist for a couple of years, Tidwell decided he wanted to be a Soldier full-time. He became active duty in 2021 and was stationed at Fort Cavazos.
There are many reasons why Tidwell loves being a part of the Fort Cavazos Fire Department for many reasons.
“I love that it’s like a family,” he said. “We take care of each other. We look after each other. We live with each other for almost half the year, so we get to know each other really well. I know that I can count on any one of these guys. If we were ever in a dangerous situation, like a fire, I know I can count on them to keep me safe and at the end of the day everybody will get to come home.”
Capt. Keith Firmin, Fort Cavazos Fire Department, nominated Tidwell for military firefighter of the year because of his leadership skills and his desire to go above and beyond in service.
“He’s one of the ones that leads the guys out there,” Firmin said. “He helps train the military guys. He helps out the department tremendously. He’s got a great attitude.”
Tidwell was humble, saying that he was appreciative that Firmin felt confident that he could win military firefighter of the year, but there is no “I” in team.
“When he told me (that I won), to be completely honest, I kind of felt like I didn’t deserve it,” he admitted. “There’s so many great firefighters in the Army. I know that I work hard, but I wouldn’t be able to do this by myself. There’s so many people around me that support me. I have a bunch of great Soldiers who absolutely love this job and are passionate about it. They are guys that make me look good.
“I’m very thankful that I was selected and I definitely feel like this is something that I didn’t earn by myself,” he added. “It was the work of all of the people that have trained me and all of the Soldiers who are subordinate to me and the other two NCO’s that we have in our unit. Those guys are some of the best people I could have ever worked with.”
Tidwell expressed his gratitude to those who have supported him throughout his career and helped him become who he is today.
“I want to thank all of the people here who have trained me and helped me become who I am, and all of my Soldiers for just being outstanding guys,” he said. “I would do anything for those guys. They’re incredible people and I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”
Looking back, Tidwell recalled applying to the Fort Worth Fire Department before joining the Army Reserves. After he had completed basic training, he discovered an email from the FWFD, sent the day he shipped off, letting him know that he could come in and test to work for their department. The timing hadn’t worked out, but if it had, he may never have found himself in the unique position to serve as both a Soldier and a firefighter.
He stated, “It was pretty clear that this is where I was meant to be and what I was meant to do.”
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