After practice wrapped up on the Washington Commanders' Military Appreciation Day, a different kind of action kicked off just on the other side of the facility in Ashburn, Virginia. Dozens of service members poured into the facility's brand-new bubble to participate in USAA's Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp.
"You mix football and the military, and you've got a heck of a day right there. For us to come out here every year, it's a wonderful thing," said Howard K. Long, a USAA Military Affairs Representative and Marine veteran. "I really look forward to it, and of course, as you look around the field today, you see all of these military folks from every branch of service, they love the game, and they love what they're doing right now.
As a gesture of appreciation to the military community and a way of highlighting the values shared by the USAA and the NFL, the annual event has become a highly anticipated and meaningful training camp tradition.
The boot camp featured 10 teams, each with members from a mixture of branches, that rotated through five stations. The stations are based off of actual drills run at the NFL Combine and include the wide receiver gauntlet, quarterback arm challenge, 40-yard dash, broad jump and three cone shuttle run. New this year was an element that ramped up the intensity of the afternoon: specialized data recording technologies that helped keep track of leaders throughout.
"It's always good to be competitive," Seaman William Dickey said with a laugh. "It brings the fun out of people and gets people motivated … They said I got some records in some of the events so I'm questioning why I didn't go to the league."
All around the practice bubble, service members were challenging themselves and cheering each other on. Each station came with a unique chance to test skills from reflexes and speed to accuracy and hand-eye coordination.
"My favorite part was running through the drills, all of them, just kind of seeing how everyone operates and using their bodies differently in different roles," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Jasmine Hodges.
The boot camp stands as a small token gratitude for these brave young men and women by offering them a chance to enjoy all the components of play and competition.
"In my mind and in USAA's mind, you're the heroes. You're the ones that do the tough jobs and make things happen," USAA Military Affairs Representatives Ronney Wright said to the group. "You're gonna have good days and bad days, this should be one of the good days."
Winners were given a number of exciting giveaways ranging from a signed jersey to tickets to the Salute to Service game this November against the Lions. But perhaps the most impactful takeaway was a one-of-a-kind chance to spend time together and unite across branches for a memorable afternoon.
"At the end of day, it's one team, one fight," Seaman Dickey said. "We're all serving the same mission."
