Spcs. Jose Tapia, left, and Joseph Thurman, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, watch the Denver Broncos practice team drills and offense and defense scrimmages during training camp at the Dove Valley Training Facility in Englewood Aug. 7, 2015. (Photo by Master Sgt. Brent M. Williams)
By Master Sgt. Brent M. Williams
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
ENGLEWOOD — The smell of artificial turf, the tint of orange and blue paint and the bust of a white bronco adorned with a fiery mane set the tone for the Soldiers and Airmen entering the Denver Broncos’ Dove Valley Training Facility Aug. 7, 2015.
USAA partnered with the National Football League and the Denver Broncos for the second annual Military Combine for Service members, to include Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson at the brand new Broncos’ training facility in Englewood.
“The military combine is … a great opportunity for the military to come out and experience some of the same drills that the NFL players go through,” said Brian Eaton, sponsorships director for USAA.
“It is a great opportunity for USAA and the Denver Broncos to show their appreciation in a very unique and authentic way to the military community, to let them come out and have a great experience like this and show them how much they appreciate the military community.”
Eaton said overall, the program has witnessed an impressive performance from the military community, who places physical fitness at the core of its training.
“Physical fitness is very important to the military community, and this is a great way for them to test some of their skills in a different environment and have a great experience — just enjoy a great day at training camp.”
The day’s events began with a warm-up and a friendly competition between Colorado-based Soldiers and Airmen participating in five combine drills: the three-cone drill, 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump and bench press.
The military combine resembled a miniature NFL Scouting Combine, the annual event aspiring football players compete in to improve their chances on draft day. The top male and female performers from the combine won tickets for two to the Broncos’ season opener.
Fort Carson’s Spc. Kolina Bowers, human resources specialist, 22nd Human Resources Company, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., took home top honors for overall performance in the female category.
Coach Brian Mullaney, a Colorado football coach and trainer and former NFL player, recruited local and regional college and high school football coaches and professional athletes to administrate the drills and measure each participant’s strength, speed and stamina.
“The military combine is a lot of fun to do and a chance to reach out to those who are serving,” Mullaney said. “I think it’s about caring. Our men and women in uniform do a thankless job a lot of times, and this is our chance to show gratitude for what they do.”
Mullaney said the event was a great way to get the troops away from the “daily grind,” and get the warriors on the field for a little fun.
The experience proved to be rewarding for Soldiers, players and coaches alike.
“Coach Mullaney asked us to work with USAA to help conduct a military combine for the enlisted men and women who serve our country,” said K.C. Jones, a center with the Broncos from 1997-2000. “It was a pleasure and a privilege to do that. It was a fantastic day.”
Following the combine, the honored military members perched in the VIP seats of the clubhouse and enjoyed brunch while watching the likes of Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas and Sione Fua, practice team drills and scrimmages between the offense and defense, during the Denver Broncos’ Training Camp.
“I think it is really great to have the opportunity to come out here and see these professionals perform at their level,” said Spc. Joseph Thurman, human resources specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th STB, 4th SB. “It shows me a standard that I want to take back to my job — seeing these guys out here when it is 100 degrees outside, and they are still pushing themselves.
“It is really a great opportunity to be out here,” said Thurman who thanked his leaders for selecting him to attend the combine. “Right now, being a part of this organization and being involved in this type of opportunity really makes me feel special, makes me feel like I really did something worthwhile.”
Throughout the day, participants found one-on-one time with Denver Broncos alumni, coaches, current and former professional football players and cheerleaders, chasing autographs, selfies and swag while getting a little coaching and mentorship on and off the practice field.
“Our freedom is in their hands,” said Mark Cooper, right guard for the Broncos from 1983-87. Cooper ran the broad jump event during the combine, engaging in the occasional rib with a New England or Oakland fan.
“These guys have served our country, given me the opportunity to play the game I love, and I am always about giving back,” he said. “The troops are giving something up for us and we are giving it back and trying to have some fun doing it, too.”
Soldiers had a chance to wear the coveted Super Bowl ring and hoist the Denver Broncos two Lombardi Trophies, proudly on display in the training facility’s second-floor clubhouse.
“We were presented the opportunity to get a little taste of what the Denver Broncos go through, and got to meet them today,” said Spc. Joseph Nelson, small arms repairer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Division Artillery, 4th Inf. Div.
“We rarely get opportunities like this; it was a life-experience,” he said. “As for the Colorado community, they are very supportive of us; I plan to live here when I get out of the Army.”
Following the team practice, Soldiers and Airmen took the opportunity to meet with a few Broncos players and had a surprise visit by first-year head coach Gary Kubiak, who fielded a couple of questions from his military fans during an impromptu huddle.
The event proved to be a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for Spc. Christopher Carter, an Airborne-qualified infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div.
“Even if you are not a Broncos fan, to get the opportunity to visit this facility and to meet the players, it is something not a whole lot of people get to do,” said Carter. “You can sit in the stands all day long and watch the players, but actually getting to meet them face to face, you can’t beat it.”