Special forces soldier, Jacksonville native dies during training exercise in North Carolina

A highly-trained peculiar forces operative died Oct. 27 during a carnal fittingness grooming workout astatine Fort Bragg successful North Carolina.

Sgt. 1st Class Calvin T. Rockward, 38, suffered “a abrupt unexpected aesculapian lawsuit during training,” according to the 1st Special Forces Group.

Rockward was assigned to the 1st Battalion 1st Special Forces Airborne Group arsenic a Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant and was described by the part arsenic “a dedicated, accomplished, respected, and loved Special Forces Soldier and teammate who volition ne'er beryllium forgotten.”

“It’s been difficult, truly difficult. ... It was sudden, shocking to america to perceive that,” Calvin’s mother, Brenda Rockward, told News4Jax. “[We’re] taking it a time astatine a time, conscionable going done the grieving, and it’s hard.”

Rockward’s father, and his namesake, Calvin Rockward Jr., described his precocious lad arsenic an highly affirmative person.

“Whenever thing was bad, helium saw the bully successful it,” helium said. “And helium bought retired the bully successful it. ... No substance however atrocious the concern was, helium bought calmness and bid to the situation.”

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Rockward’s begetter said the interaction of his son’s decease has rippled crossed the world, everyplace his lad served.

“We’ve been getting called calls from astir the satellite from Korea, from Okinawa, Japan, from Washington State, astir everywhere,” helium said. “And astir anyone, whether it’s an serviceman oregon enlisted that helium served with, helium had a affirmative impact.”

That interaction and her son’s bequest of work volition endure, Rockward’s parent said.

“I deliberation among the family, friends, acquaintances, everybody that came into interaction with him, ever had bully things to accidental astir him,” she said. “He had a truly large interaction connected their lives.”

According to the peculiar forces group, Rockward’s subject acquisition was extensive, including:

• Special Forces Qualification Course

• Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant Course

• Special Forces Jumpmaster Course

• Special Operations Combatives Program

• Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Target Analysis Exploitation Course

• Several further operator-maintainer courses

His vocation besides garnered Rockward a litany of decorations and accommodations, including:

• The Meritorious Service Medal

• The Joint Service Commendation Medal

• The Army Commendation Medal

• The Joint Service Achievement Medal

• The Army Achievement Medal

• The National Defense Service Medal

• The Afghanistan Campaign Medal

• The Korean Defense Service Medal

Rockward was a autochthonal of Jacksonville, Florida, and is survived by his woman and daughter.

He began his subject vocation successful December 2004 erstwhile helium enlisted successful the U.S. Army arsenic a Special Forces candidate. He was aboriginal deployed successful Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

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The Special Operations Command Korea Facebook Page said Rockward “will beryllium remembered arsenic a phenomenal teammate and a devoted hubby and father.”

Rockward volition beryllium buried astatine the National Cemetery successful Jacksonville connected November 18th, according to his family,

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