Sports in the Military

There are many comparisons between the military and sports. Many people chose a career path in sports and then later became members of the military. Many people also chose to serve in the military and then later became sports stars. If you look at the Naval Academy and West Point, sports are a big part of life there and many students go on to serve in the military and become sports stars. Let me give a couple of examples. One of the best centers in the NBA began his career at the Naval Academy then had a very lucrative NBA career. I’m talking about David Robinson who played for the San Antonio Spurs and was an all-star for many years. Then there is Alejandro Villanueva who was in the Army and served as a Ranger with the 1st Ranger Battalion. There are many people in the military that were good athletes in college or high school and have very successful military careers. If you ask any recruiter or look at statistics, anybody who played sports in high school is typically successful not only in boot camp but also throughout their military careers.

The Comparisons

The military and sports are both competitive. Not only do you want to win, but you also are taught to be the best in both. The military is constantly grading its service members with points or a score, whether it be in a weapons qualification or a run. They both require you to be in great physical condition. Even if you play tennis, golf, or hockey you need to be more than just a competitor; you need to really compete to win, which is the same as in the military. You have to be in better physical and mental condition than the enemy or the team you’re playing against. You have to have a game plan, whether it be for a critical mission or a playoff game against the buckeyes. You must train and practice. The military often says you “train as you fight.” Then comes game time. You execute the game plan to perfection and win.

In both the military and in sports, you wear all your necessary gear and utilize all your equipment in order to prepare. Then there is the uniform. Both the NFL (and any sports team) and the Army (and other branches) wear a uniform, and the players are recognized by their uniforms. You must prepare mentally and physically for both to be able to execute your plan. You also look at films to learn your enemy or the team you’re playing against. You learn their tendencies. You learn their weaknesses and their strengths.

The Difference

I would say there are very few differences between sports and the military. The one that stands out the most is “off season” or rain delays. In any sport, there is an off season to recover. However, there is no off season in the military; you have to be prepared and practice daily to stay prepared at all times. I have never had a mission called off because of rain. I have had missions delayed because of wonderful sand storms though. In the military, most of the time you still have to complete the missions no matter the weather. We have all trained in some of the worse weather we will ever be in. This includes the humidity in Mississippi in the middle of July and the snow in Indiana in January.

Do You Compete or Are You Just a Competitor?

No matter what your job is as either a civilian or in the infantry, there is a large difference between being a competitor and truly competing. Here at Low VA Rates, we have many competitors. However, we truly compete! We strive daily to be the best professionals in our business. We aren’t just a competitor by offering good rates or terms. We offer more. We offer a $250 guarantee where if you are offered a lower APR from a different company, we will personally write you a check for $250. This almost never happens because we make it a priority to offer our customers the best deals out there. We also offer a $1,000 incentive to customers who choose to do business with us again after the first loan. We offer the best customer service before, during, and long after your loan closes. All of us here are continuously training to gain further knowledge and experience. We recruit and hire the best professionals in the business. We are subject-matter experts to always offer you the best.

It doesn’t matter what your job is as a civilian, what sport you play, or your military occupations; you will always have a competitor. Simply performing will only make you a competitor. Constantly training, practicing, and accomplishing goals allows you to truly compete! To compete in sports, the military, or any job, you must have a plan and be able to make everyone on your team better.

Overview

The military and sports go hand in hand. The more you practice, the better you are. The same goes for your civilian job; no matter if you play a tuba or work on a car, there is always going to be competition to decide who is the best. You always should be mentally and physically prepared. You must set goals. You need to have a great game plan that is understood by the whole team, and then execute that plan. You must strive to be more than a competitor and truly compete!