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AF Reservist nominated for armed forces soccer team

  • Published
  • By Capt. Christina R. Hoggatt
  • Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  As an Air Force Combat Rescue Officer, Maj. Thomas Butler saves lives for a living. Over the last few months, he's been doing a different kind of save - keeping goal for the Air Force Soccer Team at the Armed Forces Men's Soccer championship at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

As the starting goalkeeper, Major Butler defended against the U.S. Armed Services' best to help the Air Force to a 2-1-2 record and landed a spot on the prestigious All Armed Forces team.

Not bad for a 34-year old, affectionately called "Gramps" by his Air Force teammates. The only Air Force Reservist and oldest member of the Air Force team, Major Butler would have played with the All Armed Forces team in the Continental Championship for the Americas in Paramaribo, Suriname, but a knee injury kept him off the roster.

Making the premier military team was bittersweet. Major Butler, Air Force Reserve Command Forces Division, spent months working out at the gym, playing and practicing with local teams, and working with personal coaches five to six days a week.

"I trained my butt off playing in two men's soccer leagues at the same time, Silverback Stadium on Wednesdays and Atlanta Fire Team on Sundays," Major Butler said. "I also worked with local Warner Robins teams Monday and Thursday for three months leading up to the tournament -- they all helped me get there."

"This was my first shot to try out, at the age of 34 no less," Major Butler said. "Most of the guys on the team are in their early 20s, normally coming directly from playing collegiate soccer, which is obviously not the case for me.

"Yeah, they called me Gramps, but you know, to be part of the 18 selected from the 55 who actually made training camp, I couldn't be more pleased. I really didn't mind the nickname," he said. "To be honest, it was truly a blast to get to work with and compete against young lieutenants and senior airmen."

Major Butler's boss, Lt. Col. Michael Stauffer, AFRC Forces Division Aviation Branch chief, wasn't surprised that Major Butler made the team.

"Tom's a combat rescue officer. That means he's physically and mentally tough from the word go, and he wouldn't know how to quit if the opportunity presented itself," Colonel Stauffer said. "But Tom not only brings his individual confidence with him, he also brings a terrific sense of humor and a spirit of teamwork that uplifts and motivates all of us who work with him. The soccer team must have benefitted from his presence, both in and out of the goal."