Anthony Radetic Iron Warrant Award - Amazing Story Behind The Man - Anthony Radetic

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 5313

Posted by: RStokes
Date: Mar 03 2017 9:38 AM

FORT RUCKER:    On Thursday Anthony Radetic was a part of the United States Army Warrant Office Candidate School aging!

Anthony sends congratulations to WO1 Nathan T. JaJo for being the first recipient of the Anthony Radetic Iron Warrant award. 

From this day forward, in every single WOCS graduating class, the soldier that exhibits the most resilience will be awarded the Anthony Radetic Iron Warrant Award.

The mission of the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College is to educate and train warrant officers to solve problems using Mission Command while applying their technical expertise in support of leaders on tactical, operations, and strategic level staffs during operations in complex and uncertain operational environments; serve as the focal point for U.S. Army warrant officer professional and leader development matters; and execute duties as the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s executive agent for warrant officer professional military education and warrant officer initial military training (Active and Reserve).

ANTHONY RADETIC

Anthony's motto - it's tough moments in our lives that defines us who we are. So go out there and push through.

ARTICLE WRITTEN ABOUT ANTHONY

I am not inspired easily, Anthony Radetic inspires me. Many people crumble when presented with adversity or true challenges; they find a way out, convince themselves that it can’t be done, take the path of least resistance, try to change the rules or find excuses. Not Anthony Radetic. Anthony is a former Army Blackhawk pilot and injured veteran, he is a spinal cord paraplegic and spends some time in a wheelchair. That is, when he’s not swimming, on a jet ski, competing in competitive hand cycling events, competitive and professional skiing at the international level which includes backflips and other impressive feats of athleticism and all other sports that he can compete in.

Anthony decided he would be the first person in history to get out of his wheelchair, mount a personal watercraft (jet ski) and take on the annual Long Beach to Catalina and Back Offshore National Championship 58 mile race. This race intimidates most seasoned jet ski/PWC racers due to the channel’s unpredictable and potentially rough conditions that involve traveling out to sea 28 miles to a turn boat off Catalina and Back to the Queen Mary in Long Beach. The channel can be flat and clear one moment and within 15 minutes winds, fog and currents can kick up whitecaps and six footers. Anthony was not intimidated, and he did it yesterday. Quite an accomplishment! Congratulations to Anthony Radetic and all respects from all of us at PWCOffshore.com for this tremendous accomplishment.

ABOUT ANTHONY

Retired Warrant Officer Anthony Radetic is one of America's greatest Challenged Athletes. He competes in a variety of action sports and activities and has earned his way on the podium many times in his competitive career.

His passion is speed and his motto is 'Stoked on life, ready to send it!'.

Anthony Radetic began to pursue a military career at the age of 14, with the dream of becoming a fighter pilot. He attended a military boarding school in Melbourne, FL, but, unfortunately, while he was there, he learned that his eyesight would prevent him from realizing that dream. “Being a fighter pilot was out of the question, so I decided to pursue different interests,” he said.

 After graduating from Florida Air Academy, Anthony enrolled in Embry Riddle Aeronautic University in Daytona Beach, FL. Two years later, he decided he wanted to enlist in the U.S. Army and entered the service in March 2000. “I initially entered as a parachute rigger (92R) and fast-tracked to the rank of E5. Shortly after, I was selected for Special Forces and picked to become a Special Forces communication sergeant (18E).”

During this time the Army began a new program, Army Laser Surgery Program, allowing soldiers that have had photorefractive keratotomy (PRK) eye surgery partake in a special test program to attend the Army flight school. Anthony was selected for the program and was stationed in Ft. Rucker. “I was the perfect candidate,” he said. “I was promoted to WO1, completed the Army helicopter flight training and became an Army aviator (153A).”

With the new Army program, Anthony was given another chance at achieving his childhood dream. It wasn’t until years later when Anthony’s fighter pilot career was halted. On February 17, 2004, on his way home from a flight-training mission, Anthony had an accident on his motorcycle. He sustained a spinal cord injury at the C2, C3, T7 and T8 levels. He remained in critical care for 40 days.

After being stabilized, Anthony was air lifted to the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, GA, where he remained for a little over six months for treatment.

It was during his recovery when Anthony met with national service officers from Paralyzed Veterans of America, Anthony Steele and the late Chuck Izzett. “Chuck and Anthony were able to get my life in order and prepare me for the upcoming chapter,” Anthony said.

“I had a hard time adjusting during the first year after my injuries. My first biggest hurdle was adapting my home for my wheelchair; then, parting with my two sports cars and getting a more practical car that I could actually use. They helped me get all the grants necessary to do the changeover.”

Paralyzed Veterans’ national service officers laid the groundwork for Anthony’s discharge from the military. He was medically retired as U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot in 2010.

“Prior to entering the service, I was always an active kid, always on the move, and playing every sport I could get into,” Anthony said. “I had a big passion for water sports, especially windsurfing; then moved to riskier sports like skydiving—which is the biggest reason I became a parachute rigger in the Army. Now postinjury, I still try to stay as active as I can. Water sports are one of my biggest interests. I try not to be held back by anything and attempt to live life to its fullest with my loved ones right next to me all the way.”

Anthony took that spirit and traveled to his first National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Spokane, WA, in 2009. “I quickly picked up new hobbies and started life as a new person with my family and friends at my side.”

Anthony is a member of the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America and is active with the Paralyzed Veterans handcycling team.

Anthony and his wife Danielle have two children. They live on Lake Eufaula. We have the pleasure of calling them our friends.

Anthony is the most non handicapped, handicapped, person you will ever meet. And he has a great positive influence on others around him.

He will show you, with determination, there is nothing that you can not accomplish.

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