From Sports to Service

First Lieutenant Reid Mobley serves the Arkansas Army National Guard as an aviation officer where he flies fixed and rotary wing aircraft in support of State and Federal missions. “I earned my pilot’s license during college, and like many, I was driven by a sense of duty to serve the State of Arkansas and our beloved country, so I joined the National Guard almost immediately after graduating college.” Reid earned his commission as a First Lieutenant in the spring of 2022 and went to Army Flight School shortly thereafter.

As a former quarterback for the Bryant Hornets, Reid credits his participation in football as a major factor in his military success. “Participating in football directly prepared me for this career in the military in many ways. First, it gave me a baseline in physical fitness. Challenging work-out regimens and conditioning helped develop mental toughness and resilience. And practices and games fostered an environment of camaraderie among teammates.” 

Another principle instilled in Hornet athletes is the ability to develop discipline, good study habits, and how to participate in a program with rules and procedures. “Our coaches taught us how to study film of the opposing team, break it down, and adjust our strategy accordingly.” 

“Very rarely were things conducted impromptu. All plays were a deliberate reaction to the defensive presentation, which you were required to recognize and respond to accordingly. This taught the value of thorough preparation and rehearsal.”

Finally, Reid says, it taught them how to fail. “Inevitably, everyone makes a bad play, throws an interception, or fumbles the ball. It’s a horrible feeling knowing you let your teammates down, but we learned how to take failure on the chin. Most importantly we learned how to get back out there and try again. I sincerely hope our old coaches are proud that they’ve made such a significant impact on us.” 

Sergeant Koby Melton currently serves as an infantry mortarman, known as an 11C, for the Arkansas National Guard. These specialized combat soldiers provide heavy firepower and battlefield support to ground units by clearing enemy troops and destroying fortifications. For this crucial position, Koby is well trained for combat. “Both athletics and military service require extreme discipline, accountability, and teamwork. In sports and the military, you have to trust those around you, perform under the most intense pressure, and put the team goals and mission ahead of self-recognition.”

According to Koby, the Bryant football program prepared him for the grueling physical and mental demands of serving as an 11C. “Anyone who played football at Bryant knows that the coaches there did not play around about weightlifting and conditioning! Mentally, football early on taught me resilience, time management, and how to stay focused under pressure. Both athletics and military service require consistency and commitment. Discipline helps prepare you to compete at your best. In the military, discipline is essential because it directly affects mission success and the safety of others,” says Koby. 

Camaraderie is a common thread that runs throughout both experiences of competitive sports and military service. “My fondest memory with Benton and Bryant rivalry was knowing that after the game was over, we were all going to hang out as one. I can’t speak for other classes, but a lot of players from both Benton and Bryant were all close buddies just playing ball.” 

Private First Class Abigail Nalley serves our soldiers and their families as a 68E dental specialist and can easily see how her spot on the Bryant Hornet Swim Team helped prepare her for her future career. “The military and being part of a team are so similar, with all the teamwork and healthy competition between battle buddies as you work towards a common goal,” says Abigail.

Abigail’s love for swimming started as a small child. “I always loved being in the water as a kid, but I remember the Olympics being on and my telling my mom that’s what I wanted to do.” Abigail began swimming the very next year.

Although swim team workouts and military physical training aren’t the same, Abigail learned an important lesson from each. “Military and my sports training were very different, but they had one thing in common: just don’t quit when it gets hard; when it gets hard is when you start making the real progress.”  

Abigail credits her athletic experience with teaching her to work as a team within her unit and developing her desire to serve. “Being involved in sports got me used to having to work with other people. We can wear the uniform to represent our country or our team, and in both cases, we are a part of something bigger than just ourselves.”

In 2021, Bryant Hornet starting first baseman Jackson “J.T.” Parker traded the traditional college athletic signing ceremony for a commitment to defense and national service with the United States Marine Corps. In the first non-collegiate signing ceremony hosted on the Bryant Hornet baseball field, Head Coach Travis Queck called it, “the most meaningful signing of his career.” Queck went on to describe J.T. as “the ultimate team player who is built to thrive on service.”

As a highly trained Lance Corporal Marine, J.T. emphasizes that teamwork, trust, discipline, and a shared commitment to a common goal are just as vital in the air as they are on the field. “Success depends entirely on every individual coming together and executing his or her specific role perfectly,” J.T. notes. 

The key difference is purpose: while sports focus on competing to win games or championships, the military focuses on executing a mission where the stakes are much higher. 

The United States Marine Corps emphasizes combat readiness built on physical endurance, mental fortitude, and team cohesion—traits J.T. possesses in abundance. “My sports background provided distinct advantages, including intense physical workouts, self-discipline, and the ability to focus under stress,” J.T. notes.

 “Experiencing coaching, working within a team, and adapting to setbacks directly helped me adjust to military training and operational environments.” According to J.T., both athletics and military service demand consistency, dedication, and routine. However, he highlights a critical difference: military personnel must adhere to strict laws and mission requirements where the consequences of mistakes are far greater than in sports. 

J.T.’s commitment to service is exemplified in his desire to one day attend college in hopes he can continue to serve our country in varying capacities.

To all the men and women from Saline County who have served and are serving our country, thank you. We truly will never forget your sacrifices.