Lisle National Guardsman is Brigade's ‘Soldier of the Year’

Illinois National Guard Spc. Zachary Lange of Lisle, a combat medic for the 708th Medical Company of North Riverside, has been named the 108th Sustainment Brigade’s Soldier of the Year at their August 2013 Best Warrior Competition, the Suburban Life reports. 

According to the paper, Lange qualified for the contest by winning at the company and brigade levels, before outdistancing all other competitors at a series of physical, survival, military and mental challenges held over two days. He will next compete against four other winners for the chance to represent Illinois at the national level, the paper said. 

“Two-and-a-half years ago when I first joined [the National Guard], I didn’t see myself competing in something like this,” Lange told the paper. “It’s exciting and means a lot to me to be able to be a part of this. I’m very excited and very proud.

“It will be challenging for sure, but it’s a challenge that I’m willing to go up against… The pressure is definitely there, but I think it will be fun.” 

Read the full story at the Suburban Life website.