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Salute to Service

As an Official NFL Salute to Service Partner, USAA honors, empowers and connects with service members, veterans and their families by providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences throughout the year.

Videos

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Bo Nix and Joe Alt visit Selfridge Air National Guard Base ahead of the NFL Draft

Two first-round picks of the 2024 NFL Draft meet incredible members of the U.S. military and experience the unforgettable rush of flying in a Black Hawk helicopter.

Video transcript: Bo Nix and Joe Alt visit Selfridge Air National Guard Base ahead of the NFL Draft

Video Duration: Two minutes, eighteen seconds

[00:00]

[USAA and Salute to Service logos appear on screen side by side.]

[Bo speaking to camera.]

Well, it was probably one of the coolest things I've ever done.

[00:03]

[Joe speaking to camera.]

I would totally agree.

[Shot of Bo and Joe flying in a Black Hawk helicopter, exciting music in background.]

[00:07]

[Joe speaking.]

That was unreal.

[00:08]

[Bo speaking to camera.]

[The words, “Bo Nix, Draft Prospect,” appear on screen.]

Hey, what's up everyone? My name is Bo Nix.

[00:10]

[Joe speaking to camera.]

[The words, “Joe Alt, Draft Prospect,” appear on screen.]

My name's Joe Alt. I'm here at the Selfridge Air National Guard base.

[00:14]

[Bo speaking to camera.]

I've never been in a helicopter before, so this will be my first time and what better place to do it than here?

[00:19]

[Joe speaking to camera.]

I'm hoping it's similar to the motion sickness on a boat.

[00:21]

[Bo points to Black Hawk helicopter.]

That one's got motion sickness written all over it.

[00:25]

[The words, “Matt Brancato, Brigadier General, Selfridge Air National Guard Base Commander,” appear on screen.]

[Matt speaking to camera.]

We're really excited that Detroit is hosting the NFL draft this year and so for us to have a couple players come out, it's a big morale boost for the team here.

[Various shots of Bo and Joe meeting service members, autographing footballs and taking pictures.]

[00:33]

[Bo speaking to camera.]

I wouldn't be able to do what I do on a daily basis without the men and women that serve our country.

[00:37]

[Joe speaking to camera.]

Military has always been very important to me and my family, so I'm looking forward to meeting them and getting to hear some of their stories.

[00:42]

[Service member speaking.]

So we have the KC 135 over here.

[00:44]

[Bo speaking.]

[Shot of Bo and Joe in the cockpit of the KC 135.]

Woah this thing is gigantic. I wouldn't have much control flying with him because he just wants to hog it.

[00:51]

[Service member speaking.]

What you're looking at here is an A-10C Warthog, shoots about 70 rounds per second.

[00:55]

[Service member speaking and pointing to Joe.]

My friend here is going to fit in there.

[00:57]

[Joe speaking.]

All right. We'll see.

[00:58]

[Service member speaking.]

Watch your head.

[00:59]

[Joe speaking.]

I never thought I would have fit in that. There's no way I was going to be able to like, sit up normal. But I was able to sit up straight. It was really cool to be in there.

[01:08]

[The words, “Paul Fitzpatrick, Major, JFHQ-MI,” appear on screen.]

[Paul speaking.]

Today we're going to see some winds, so it's gonna be a little bumpy. Next thing you can expect is some pretty cool views.

[01:13]

[The words, “Cody Rambo, Sergeant, B 1/147 AHB,” appear on screen.]

[Cody speaking.]

If you guys think you're gonna throw up, we've got some bags.

[Bo and Joe laugh.]

[Various shots of Bo and Joe getting in the Black Hawk helicopter, taking off and flying.]

[01:31]

[Shots of skyline views over the city.]

[Bo speaking.]

When you're up there going, it's not as bad as what I thought it was going to be, but going up and coming down is when you're like, woah, we're actually moving. But it was cool to see over top of everything. Seeing everything we saw. Getting to interact with everyone. It was an awesome day.

[01:54]

[Shot of Bo and Joe back on base meeting service members.]

[Joe speaking to camera.]

Being able to meet military members and just really appreciate what they do and get to know them has been pretty special for me. Really just want to show my gratitude for them and all their service that they do for us.

[02:03]

[Bo speaking on the airfield next to Joe.]

We just want to say thank you to USAA and the service members stationed at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

[02:09]

[Joe speaking.]

We had a great time, and it was great to learn and see how these people can defend our country.

[02:13]

[Shot of a Bo and Joe with a group of service members lined up for a picture.]

Go Guard!

[The logos of USAA and Salute to Service appear on screen along with the words, “Official NFL Salute to Service Partner,” and the website address, U-S-A-A-dot-com-slash-nfl.]

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NFL safety Derwin James Jr. trains with the U.S. Coast Guard

NFL All-Pro safety Derwin James experienced a day in the life of a member of the Coast Guard at U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego. Derwin soared in a Coast Guard helicopter and plunged into the ocean for a swim that tested his endurance.

Video transcript: NFL safety Derwin James Jr. trains with the U.S. Coast Guard

Video Duration: seven minutes, forty seconds

[00:00]

[The words, “Whistle, I could do that, U.S. Coast Guard edition” appear on screen.]

[The logos of USAA and Salute to Service appear on screen along with the words, “Official NFL Salute to Service Partner.”]

[Exciting music builds.]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

Derwin's going to get a brief amount of training, and we're going to kind of throw him into a bunch of scenarios. You have a helicopter pushing 20,000 pounds of air on top of you.

[00:09]

[Derwin speaking.]

I ain't know where I was at, boy. Once I got to the water, you know, it was real.

[00:13]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

See how he responds. See how he works in our team.

[The words, “Whistle, I could do that, U.S. Coast Guard edition” appear on screen.]

[The logos of USAA and Salute to Service appear on screen along with the words, “Official NFL Salute to Service Partner.”]

[00:21]

[Various shots of Derwin in front of hangars.]

[Derwin speaking to camera.]

I'm Derwin James. Professional football player, defensive back, All-Pro.

[00:26]

[The words, “Derwin James, All Pro Defensive Back,” appear on screen.]

And today, I'm training with the U.S. Coast Guard. To come from where I come from, football means everything. My family believed in it since I was 4 or 5 years old. In order to be a leader, I had to become a great follower.

[00:39]

[The words, “Sector San Diego United States Coast Guard” appear on screen.]

[Derwin speaking.]

How are you doing?

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

Welcome to Sector San Diego. Think you have what it takes to make it in the U.S. Coast Guard?

[Derwin speaking.]

I can do that for sure.

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

Let's do it.

[Derwin speaking.]

Let's do it.

[00:49]

[The words, “Fun fact: US Coast Guard Air Station San Diego became operational in 1937” appear on screen.]

[The words, “Lt Jo Green, Command External Affairs Officer” appear on screen.]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

Derwin James, he's going to get a brief amount of training, and we're going to kind of throw him into a bunch of scenarios, see how he responds, see how he works on our team.

[00:57]

[Derwin speaking.]

I'm excited to meet everybody else here and do what they do. See other people be great.

[01:14]

[Various shots of boats on the water and a helicopter in the air.]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

Here at Sector San Diego, our job is search and rescue as well as law enforcement.

[01:10]

[The words, “BM1 Chris Wane, Coxswain” appear on screen.]

[Chris speaking.]

[Upbeat music plays.]

We have a very dynamic area of responsibility here in San Diego with frequent smuggling activity. We're going to take Derwin James out today and show him how we do pursuit training.

[The words, “Challenge 01 Pursuit Training” appear on screen.]

[01:21]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

Derwin is going to be on our fastest small boat, going to go upwards of 50 knots with him on board, chasing another Coast Guard boat that's simulating a smuggling vessel that's refusing to stop.

[01:30]

[Chris speaking.]

We receive a report of a target of interest. We launch our asset and then ultimately to gain compliance, disabling fire in order to disengage their engines using a shotgun.

[01:40]

[Various shots of Derwin on the boat and shooting a PLS gun.]

[The words, “Fun fact: Non lethal silenced rounds are used during training exercises like this!” appear on screen.]

[01:46]

[The words, “Fun fact: Derwin is shooting a PLS gun launching pepper balls similar to tear gas meant to disable assailants” appear on screen.]

[01:47]

[Chris speaking.]

Derwin did absolutely phenomenal today shooting the PLS gun. Most of his rounds were on target.

[01:53]

[Derwin speaking.]

Thank you, man. That was fire, bro. Oh, man.

[01:56]

[Chris speaking.]

He had a blast on the boat. It was amazing to see that big smile on his face.

[02:00]

[Derwin speaking.]

The pursuit tactics in the boat. That was amazing.

[02:03]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

The Coast Guard's number one priority is always going to be search and rescue.

[02:07]

[The words, “Lt Sarah Camp, Co-Pilot” appear on screen.]

[Lt. Sarah speaking.]

So I fly the H 60 Jayhawk. Anytime there's a mariner or a boat or a person in distress, we head out there and we do what we can to help them out.

[02:16]

[Joseph speaking.]

All right. So this is where we're going to be flying.

[Derwin speaking.]

Dang.

[02:18]

[Joseph speaking.]

You will be going in the water today in this basket right here.

[Derwin speaking.]

Yep. Okay.

[02:22]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

Derwin is going to get a little taste of what it's like to be the rescue swimmer. But he's going to play the vital role of being the person being rescued.

[02:28]

[Various shots of Derwin interacting with the team.]

[The words, “AST2 Joseph Glaser Reich, Rescue Swimmer” appear on screen.]

[Joseph speaking.]

Coast Guard aircrews fly with a crew of four. We'll brief in the flight planning room.

[02:33]

[The words, “LCDR Kyle Van Dillen, Aircraft Commander” appear on screen.]

[Joseph speaking.]

There are two pilots.

[02:34]

[Kyle speaking.]

Sarah will be right seats. I'll be left seat.

[02:36]

[Joseph speaking.]

Flight mechanic.

[The words, “AMT1 Daniel Quinton, Flight Mechanic” appear on screen.]

[Kyle speaking.]

Q, you're cabin.

[Joseph speaking.]

And a rescue swimmer.

[Kyle speaking.]

We'll freefall him out. Then we'll put you in our basket. And then to pick you guys up, we'll do the same thing, but reverse. He'll help you back in the basket. He'll take you up, bring you in the cabin, and then we'll pick him up separately.

[02:48]

[Lt. Sarah speaking.]

When you bring somebody new into the team, like Derwin today, we need to get them up to speed to make a mission happen safely.

[Joseph speaking.]

Buckled up.

[Derwin speaking.]

Yeah.

[Joseph speaking.]

All right. Good to go.

[Derwin speaking.]

Good.

[Joseph speaking.]

All right.

[Derwin speaking.]

It's almost game time now.

[03:02]

[Joseph speaking.]

Yeah. This is like a giant swimming pool with no walls. Everybody on the crew is responsible for everybody else's safety. And you're part of the crew.

[Derwin speaking.]

We're good, man. Thank you.

[Joseph speaking.]

Outstanding.

[03:09]

[Lt. Sarah speaking.]

Especially in the Coast Guard, it's just like being on a sports team. When I was growing up, I fell in love with that. I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. Sports helped lead me to the Coast Guard.

[03:19]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

A lot of the traits that you see on the sports field or pool court translate over to being in the military. Know your role. Know when it's time for you to be a leader. Know when it's time to be a follower.

[03:30]

[Drums continue to beat and build anticipation.]

[The words, “Challenge 02, Search and Rescue” appear on the screen.]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

So this is as close to a live situation as we can get.

[03:37]

[Voice on comm system speaking.]

Cleared for takeoff.

[Lt. Sarah speaking.]

Teamwork is the name of the game. That's why we do a ton of training missions.

[03:44]

[Kyle speaking.]

After the helicopter's airborne, once we arrive on scene, we'll assess the situation and come up with a rescue plan.

[03:51]

[Lt. Sarah speaking.]

There's someone what we call a P.I.W., or a person in the water. Or Derwin in this case. So in that scenario, we want to get the swimmer into the water as quickly and safely as possible, using a freefall so we can get to that survivor as quickly as possible.

[04:08]

[Shots of Derwin preparing to be lowered into the ocean.]

[Derwin speaking.]

We dropped into the middle of the ocean out of the helicopter with my partner Joe. My teammate today. I feel like what made me a leader is I'm a very confident person. But then when I got to my basket and then when I got down there, I'm like, okay, now I see why Joe the professional and I'm, you know, still learning. Once I got to the water, you know, it was real.

[04:37]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

So I swam all through college. Swimming in a pool is one thing, but as soon as you get out onto the ocean, it's a completely different beast. And you also have a helicopter overhead, pushing 20,000 pounds of air directly down on top of you. So it gets very overwhelming very quickly, even if you're a really strong swimmer. People don't know how they're going to react until they're in that situation.

[05:00]

[Shots of Derwin in the water with Joseph.]

[Joseph speaking.]

How are you doing?

[Derwin speaking.]

I love this, bro. I'm gonna tell my son about it. He ain't gonna believe me. I'm in the middle of the ocean and ain't no land around.

[05:12]

[Derwin speaking to camera.]

It's definitely a workout. It was a lot of cardio and waves hitting you. Till you go through it, it don't matter what you tell a person on the fly. You may had a plan coming into it, but the plan may alter. Everything can change in one play. A lot could be going wrong around you, and things can be like off track, but if you just stay in the moment, stay calm and just being in control of the mind. Trust your training and trust the techniques for what got you there, you'll be okay.

[05:39]

[Derwin speaking.]

Hey. That water no joke. I ain't gonna lie. Let's go, boys. You ready?

[05:44]

[Joseph speaking.]

You ready to go back up the helicopter?

[Derwin speaking.]

Yeah.

[Joseph speaking.]

All right.

[05:59]

[Shots of Derwin being lifted back into the helicopter.]

[Derwin speaking off camera.]

In the military, every person has a role. Just like football. And that's what makes the mission complete. They made me feel safe. And just seeing them calm, helped me be calm too.

[06:15]

[Lt. Sarah speaking.]

Hell yea, you did good.

[Derwin speaking.]

Oh yeah. Once I calmed down and everything settled down, I was good. But at first I ain't know where I was at, boy.

[06:24]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

Derwin's a great teammate. You know, he has an ability to perform under pressure. And he definitely showed that today.

[06:30]

[Derwin speaking.]

Man, it felt like, it felt like a movie almost, bro. Cuz you feel the wind of the helicopter. Then you feel like the waves and everything. And then once it dropped to the water, it's like, okay it's real. I gotta get out of here.

[06:45]

[Stirring music in background.]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

He quickly was able to get people to rally around him with his great attitude. He got people excited. They were stoked to be out there with him. We are mission complete. You know, we saved a life or we stopped something illegal from happening and we can come home and say, that was a job well done.

[06:59]

[Shots of the helicopter and Coast Guard members with Derwin.]

[Derwin speaking to camera.]

When I see my son today, man, he's going to lose his mind. He's three years old. He's into trucks and stuff, so he's not going to better believe it. I felt like a hero today for real. Big thanks to USAA and the Coast Guard for giving me a chance to train with the best.

[07:14]

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

Could Derwin James fit to the Coast Guard?

[Lt. Sarah speaking.]

Yeah, Derwin was awesome. He could definitely do that.

[Chris speaking.]

Yeah, he could be certified to operate on our boat anytime.

[Lt. Jo Green speaking.]

Our crew would love to have him back on our team anytime.

[07:25]

[Derwin speaking to camera.]

Today was tough, but with more practice just like anything, more repetition, and I feel like I definitely can do that. I can do that for sure.

[07:33]

[The words, “Whistle, I could do that, U.S. Coast Guard edition” appear on screen.]

[The logos of USAA and Salute to Service appear on screen along with the words, “Official NFL Salute to Service Partner.”]

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Salute to Service Boot Camps

Local military members are hosted at NFL training camps to compete in combine-style drills, including the 40-yard dash, broad jump, three-cone shuttle, receiving gauntlet, and the QB arm challenge.

Video transcript: Salute to Service Boot Camps

Video Duration: One minute, three seconds

[00:00]

[The words, “Salute to Service Boot Camps” appear on screen.]

[The words, “Kieth Long, USAA Military Affairs” appear on screen.]

[Keith speaking.]

We were invited out to take part in all the activities that they have for us today.

[00:07]

[Upbeat music plays.]

[The words, “Chicago, Denver, Baltimore, North Carolina, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C.” appear sequentially on screen.]

[00:09]

[The words, “Rod Huber, Director of Procamps” appear on screen.]

[Rod speaking.]

We've been all over the United States doing these events with USAA, and you get a chance to come out into an unbelievable facility and participate on the game field in a boot camp style event.

[00:18]

[The words, “10 days, 10 cities, 1,000 military members” appear on screen.]

[00:21]

[Group speaking.]

1,2,3, one team, one fight!

[00:23]

[Upbeat music plays.]

[00:24]

[The words, “Shelina Frey, USAA Military Affairs” appear on screen.]

[Shelina speaking.]

It lets our military members know that we appreciate them. We appreciate what they do and who they are.

[00:30]

[The words, “Staff SGT. Shawn Gaines, U.S. Marine Corps” appear on screen.]

[Staff SGT. Shawn speaking.]

I really appreciate the opportunity. Not everybody have an opportunity to come to even look at a stadium vice, meet the players, get autographs and things like that. I'm extremely grateful that they actually let us come here, enjoy their field, see their facilities, and just have a good time.

[00:43]

[Upbeat music plays.]

[00:45]

[Rod speaking.]

For these young people, the skills that they've learned and the friendships that they make and the leadership qualities they take with them when they leave the service is second to none.

[00:53]

[Keith speaking.]

On behalf of USAA, we want to say thank you for your service and we hope to see you again next year.

[00:58]

[Group speaking.]

Salute to service!

[The logos of USAA and Salute to Service appear on screen along with the words, “Official NFL Salute to Service Partner.”]

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Brian Dawkins supports veterans at Wounded Warrior Project 5k

What's it like to carry a weighted rucksack? NFL Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins found out at The Wounded Warrior Project® Carry Forward 5k. He teamed up with USAA to learn more about how we can better support our veterans and their mental health.

Video transcript: Ruck March Video — Wounded Warrior Project Carry Forward 5K and Brian Dawkins

Video Duration: Two minutes, eighteen seconds

[00:00]

[The USAA logo opens the video and animates next to the NFL Salute to Service logo.]

[Upbeat music plays.]

[A shot of Brian Dawkins smiling and crossing his arms.]

[The words, “USAA and Wounded Warrior Project invited NFL Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins to participate in the Wounded Warrior Project Carry Forward 5K” appear on screen.]

[Shots of 5K runners at the starting line.]

[The words, “with a loaded rucksack to support all veterans and promote mental health” appear on screen.]

[00:17]

[Brian speaking to camera.]

[Shots of Brian walking and talking with a Wounded Warrior.]

Wearing the backpack, the metaphor is so right on. When we have all of those things that are weighing us down, we can't really, truly be the best us that we can be. Understanding how powerful that is and that your future is worth that fight, I'm blessed to be here and I'm excited about it.

[00:35]

[Brian speaking to camera.]

[Various shots of Brian interacting with Wounded Warriors and 5K participants.]

In my Hall of Fame speech, I chose to talk about my mental health because, I want to share with other individuals the journey that I went down to help them recognize don't allow the pain of a moment prevent you from moving forward in an empowering way, because it will empower you if you stick with it. To do things, to go out and continue to fight, to continue to push forward, it has inspired me right? But also now for me to be able to sit down with some of the veterans and just listen to their story, that's the one of the most powerful things that you can do to truly give a listening ear to someone.

[01:08]

[Brian sits down to talk with William and Lisa.]

[Brian speaking.]

So, how was today?

[01:11]

[The words, “William H. Wounded Warrior U.S. Marine Corps Veteran” appear on screen.]

[William speaking.]

We do these events because we're rebuilding this sense of community.

[01:16]

[The words, “Lisa C. Wounded Warrior U.S. Army Veteran” appear on screen.]

[Lisa speaking.]

Because of the suicide rate, veterans need to connect with one another. We have to be able to communicate, we have to be able to, to try to figure out an avenue to connect with all these warriors. They didn't have to be on the same battlefield as me, but they know exactly what I'm going through.

[01:34]

[Brian speaking.]

So as a civilian, like, what are ways that we can get involved in supporting our veterans?

[01:40]

[Lisa speaking.]

What you're doing today would be one of the ways.

[01:44]

[William speaking.]

If you give time, if you give some of your talent, something as simple as that, that is such a phenomenal thing.

[01:52]

[Shots of Brian hugging William and Lisa.]

[Shots of 5K participants finishing the run.]

[Brian speaking.]

One of the best ways to support our veterans is to support Face the Fight. Face the Fight is doing incredible work to reduce the suicide rate in our veterans. The simple act of reaching out can mean so much. Together we can face the fight against veteran suicide.

[02:12]

[The logos of USAA and Salute to Service appear on screen along with the words, “Official Salute to Service Partner” and “Learn more at FaceTheFight.org” appear on screen.]

Salute to Service Award presented by USAA

The Salute to Service Award presented by USAA acknowledges the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL community to honor and support U.S. service members, veterans and their families.

Joe Cardona

2024 Recipient

An officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve and NFL long snapper, Cardona provides exemplary support for military families facing hardship.

Ron Rivera

2023 Recipient

Giving back to the military community has defined Rivera's success as a head coach in the NFL.

Andrew Beck

2022 Recipient

Beck has touched the lives of more than 425 military families with his outstanding efforts to advocate for and support their needs.

Steve Cannon

2021 Recipient

Cannon's inspirational story and enduring support of military families embody the true meaning of the Salute to Service Award.

Donnie Edwards

2020 Recipient

A life-long supporter of our military, Edwards leads powerful initiatives that honor and provide healing for those who served.

Ben Garland

2019 Recipient

A major in the Colorado Air National Guard and former NFL lineman, Garland tirelessly gives of himself to veterans and military families.

Military, veteran or their eligible family?

You could find yourself in the end zone scoring USAA membership. Let's check if you can join.

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