Realize your athletic potential

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Javier Alvarez
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  A cycling aficionado at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is attempting to start an Air Force Sports cycling team.

Intramural sports, of which there are plenty on JBER, give service members the opportunity to display their athletic prowess at a local level. But Air Force Sports – like All-Army competitions – are for serious athletes, and may lead to a slot representing the service at the Olympics.

The programs are available to help service members realize their athletic potential, said Katherine Hunt, 673d Force Support Squadron sports specialist. These sporting programs are at a higher level of competition than intramural sports.

The selected few are placed on permissive temporary duty while they attend a training camp – but not your average sport camp, Hunt said; training camps are physically and mentally demanding and not for the faint of heart.

Competing in these programs creates camaraderie, Hunt said, and it allows service members the opportunity to represent their branch of service at a national or international level.

JBER service members have displayed their talent at a national level before; in 2013, Spc. Jeremy Durgin of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), U.S. Army Alaska, snagged a spot as a boxer on the All-Army team; the year before, Sgt. Ashley A. Walker, also with the 4/25, was named the U.S. Army's Female Athlete of the Year for her athleticism on the All-Army Women's Softball Team.

The proposed cycling team would have the same requirements to join as all other Air Force Sports teams, said Chris Dock, the 3rd Maintenance Group weapons armament equipment specialist with his eye on building the team.

Dock’s involvement with a cycling team at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, inspired him to form a JBER chapter.

“[We’re] out there to promote the Air Force core values,” Dock said. “And show that as Air Force members we can be leaders and help the community at large.”

Recruitment will start Nov. 15, Dock said. If the team can recruit eight members, they will move one step closer to competition.

For Air Force Sports, active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members should visit Buckner Physical Fitness Center and request Air Force Form 303, Hunt said. The form can also be obtained through the e-publishing website.

Active duty, Army National Guard and Army Reserve personnel seeking to participate in the All-Army program should get their commander’s consent and visit the All Army sports website and submit an application.

“I think there’s a lot of talent [on this installation],” Hunt said. “It’s a good opportunity for them to show the world what the armed forces can do.”

For a full list of Air Force Sports visit:
http://www.myairforcelife.com/sports/default.aspx.
For a full list of All Army sports visit: http://www.armymwr.com/recleisure/sportsandfitness/frequently_asked_questions.aspx.