The Soldier

Josh enlisted in the US Army in 2008 as an Airborne Infantryman. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 where he was severely injured in a vehicular rollover and redeployed back to Fort Bragg, NC. He was also stationed in Anchorage, Alaska at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson as a Reconnaissance Scout Team Leader (2012 – 2015). Josh recently was posted in Vicenza, Italy where he served as a Senior Jumpmaster, Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant (2015 – 2018). Prior to leaving Italy, he was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice for “above and beyond service within the Infantry while representing the highest standards of integrity, moral character, professional competence, and dedication to duty”. Josh is now stationed in Fort Drum, NY as a Basic Leaders Course Instructor to mentor junior enlisted Soldiers to become Sergeants and leaders within their ranks.

The Athlete

Through trial and error, Josh discovered that endurance athletics is the best way for him to deal with his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to emerge in a state of peace in a healthy manner. First rock climbing and long distance running were what helped while being stationed in Alaska. Once stationed in Italy, cycling became his passion due to the zero impact stress it had on the body and falling in love with the cycling culture.
 
​Through cycling, Josh found mental and emotional healing in a manner that works best for him. Thanks to Project Echelon’s Mentorship Program with one of their Elite Athletes mentoring him with workouts, equipment advice and nutrition planning, he recently completed his first race and looks forward to preparing and competing more in the 2019 season.

The Man

Josh has been constantly working on his PTSD since coming back from Afghanistan in 2011. PTSD is something we can manage in our daily lives, but we can never fully recover from. Though it has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, he has come to find peace with the fact that this is not a barrier but a bond for those with similar situations. Josh feels a very strong calling to serve within the ranks of Project Echelon because of how positively it has impacted his life in a physical, mental and emotional manner.
 
​​Josh has an amazing support system surrounding him of both family and friends. His wife Madison recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2018. They share a daughter, Sutton, that lives with her mother in Washington.