Smith Transitions From Wrestling Mat To Battlefield

DURHAM, N.C. ? Steve Smith, a former Blue Devil wrestler, joined the army following graduation in 2005 and currently serves his country in Iraq. Assigned to the First Platoon of the 82nd Airborne Division, 2-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, Smith is stationed in Samarra, Iraq, and leads training, combat and planning operations of his 35-man unit.

Judging from his four years at Duke, Smith's decision to join the army could be considered unexpected--- though his father was previously in the army. Smith was not a member of the ROTC but he had a premonition of joining the army after graduation while perusing other fields at Duke. It was only after undergoing the whole of his college experience at Duke that he came upon this idea. Not only did the Duke Wrestling and University experience raise awareness and generate motivation to join the army, it also helped prepare him mentally and physically for the challenge ahead.

Certain aspects of Duke life helped Smith in his path of becoming an officer and continue to give him knowledge in dealing with emerging challenges in Iraq. For example, his role in the Student Athletic Advisory Council allowed him to develop oratory skills required in briefing military and civilian leaders on the possible effects of policy decisions. His experience in Duke's Study Abroad program has been conducive to serving in the military as well? teaching him how to work across cultures, building his foreign language skills and allowing him to grow accustomed to an ever-changing environment. Wrestling helped him develop as a leader and to be fit physically for the future combat operations in extremely hot temperatures while carrying at 70 least pounds of equipment.

“Leading in combat has demanded competence in many areas,” says Smith. “I am very thankful for my training at Duke University.”

A product of Duke and the Blue Devil Wrestling experience, Smith embodies a sacrifice that few are willing to give? to serve the U.S. in another country in a middle of a hostile war. Indeed, he does not serve for individual glory, but rather to live beyond himself. One can only hope that there are more like him willing to live beyond the self.

-d-u-k-e-

Smith Transitions From Wrestling Mat To Battlefield

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