Army North employee carries more than mission

By Sgt. 1st Class Manuel Torres, U.S. Army North PAOAugust 9, 2011

Bench press.
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – ATLANTA — Ennis White, telecommunications officer, Army North, readies himself as he prepares to clear more than 500 pounds during the bench press competition during the USA Powerlifting Master Nationals Competition held earlier this year in Atlanta.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Deadlift.
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – ATLANTA — Ennis White, telecommunications officer, Army North, lifts more than 600 pounds during the dead lift event at the USA Powerlifting Master Nationals Competition held earlier this year in Atlanta. White earned a bronze medal in the overall co... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Squat.
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – ATLANTA — Ennis White, telecommunications officer, Army North, readies himself as he prepares to squat more than 600 pounds during the USA Powerlifting Master Nationals Competition held earlier this year in Atlanta. White earned an bronze medal in th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas " Army North’s mission is a great, and perhaps heavy, burden honorably carried by all who serve in the command; one Civilian team member, however, carries a tremendous load on his shoulders " and much, much more.

Lifting close to 530 pounds is an unthinkable task for many people; but for Ennis White, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., who serves as a telecommunications officer with Army North, that is exactly what he did with his bare hands and brute strength during the USA Powerlifting Master Nationals Competition held earlier this year in Atlanta, earning him a bronze medal during the competition.

Not bad for a lifter at the ripe age of 47, but he says that feat doesn’t compare to the magnitude of the importance of his duties with Army North. As a spectrum manager in his section, he is responsible for all the wireless communications for Army North’s Defense Coordinating Elements, which are located in each of the 10 Federal Emergency Management Agency regions throughout the United States, the Contingency Command Post, Joint Task Force " Civil Support, Joint Task Force " North, and the various organizations that fall under the command.

“Mr. White regularly anticipates the spectrum (wireless frequencies) requirements for this command and meets them ahead of when they are needed. Despite being a ‘one-man-show,’ he is able to juggle the spectrum needs of the command,” said Lt. Col. Travis Robinette, chief of operations, G6. “He forward deploys during major exercises, ensuring all spectrum needs are met in a timely fashion, trains and explains requirements of support for assigned missions.”

Working in that position requires a lot of dedication " as does his weight-lifting hobby. However, White said he is able to dedicate his attention to his passions, his work and his hobby.

“Powerlifting is my hobby,” said White, “and I never let it affect my job performance. The lines are never crossed, but I've been lucky in that; my supervisors and this organization have always been supportive of my accomplishments.”

White, a self-admitted Buffalo Bills fan, has a career-best dead-lift of 683 lbs. He’s squatted 650 lbs. and bench pressed 546 lbs during his 16 year lifting career. Altogether, it adds up to close to a ton. He’s done all this while serving 24 years in the Air Force, with numerous deployments throughout the world, to include Afghanistan and Iraq.

He said working at Army North has allowed him to continue serving his country in a civilian capacity and working hard to promote strength, health and determination in his off-duty hobbies.

“White is not only an asset to our Army North’s G6 (communication) mission, but he supports and promotes Army North’s Civilian physical fitness program and goals by competing at the Powerlifting championships,” said Robinette.

White’s motivation is a testament to what can be accomplished regardless of when and where you are in your life. His weight lifting accomplishments are just one example of numerous medals and achievements throughout his career, only overshadowed by his performance as a valued team member of Army North’s communications section.