Fastest Soldier in Battalion Even With a Cold

1st Cav Soldier finishes first despite illness
Fort Hood Sentinel By Staff Sgt. John Healy, 2nd ABCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
AUGUST 13, 2015 | SPORTS

“There was a bug going around and I just so happened to catch it that day,” said Weaver. “I was hurting for that.”

Spc. Solomon Weaver is a M1 Abrams gunner from Patterson, Calif., currently serving with the Co. D “Desperados,” 1st Bn., 8th Cav. Regt, 2nd ABCT, 1st Cav. Div. Weaver earned recognition throughout the brigade after completing the Air Assault Course’s final ruck march with the fastest time of two hours and two minutes.
(Photo by Staff Sgt. John Healy, 2nd ABCT PAO, 1st Cav. Div.)

CAMP CASEY, South Korea - Spc. Solomon Weaver is a modest looking 21-year-old tanker from Patterson, California, currently serving with the Company D “Desperados” of 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

He’s not very tall, and not very big either. His father, who also served in the Army, is a gunsmith in his hometown. He’s polite, and his uniform is clean. When Weaver talks to you, he looks you straight in the eye.

Weaver is also the fastest Soldier in his battalion; possibly even the whole brigade, and can run two miles in 10 minutes and 47 seconds.

“For the two mile, I’m definitely the fastest,” said Weaver. “I always get set aside for ability group runs and that kind of thing.”

The other members of Weaver’s company like to joke about how fast he is.

“He used to get beat up a lot, so he had to run fast,” said one Soldier, to which Weaver doesn’t respond, he only smiles.

For two years, Weaver’s demonic speed was the best-kept secret of Co. D. That is, until he decided to attend Air Assault School, a grueling course where Soldiers learn how to transport equipment with a helicopter via sling load.
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