Army veteran prepares for rookie run in Iditarod

Among the many dog mushers set to take on the Iditarod March 3 is a rookie musher who also has the unique distinction of being the only military veteran to run the race this year.

“As a rookie to the Iditarod this year my goal is to complete the race and inspire others to try new things and not be afraid of failure. I look forward to wearing my patriotic parka to represent the veteran community and honor those who fought for this country," says Joshua Robbins of his rookie run in the 2024 Iditarod.

Robbins, who now calls Willow home, served in the US Army from 2003 until 2014, first as an infantryman, then later as a long-range marksman instructor, with multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a sniper squad leader throughout his enlistments.

After the Army sent him to Alaska in 2010, he completed his tour, and like many veterans, when he got out, he decided to stay, although unsure of which side of the highway he wanted to call home-Willow or Glennallen. It came down to an ad he saw for a cabin with an eye-catching tagline “Dogs Rule, Cats Drool.”