Soldiers, College Football Players Forge Teamwork in Hawaii

Soldiers assigned to the 25th Infantry Division and student-athletes from the University of Hawaii's Rainbow Warrior football team came together July 24 for a day of shared challenges designed to build teamwork and strengthen community bonds.

The event, hosted at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, saw players and soldiers tackling military obstacle courses and leadership challenges side by side. The day began at the 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe Mission Training Complex, a building named in honor of a fallen "Son of Hawaii."

Hoe was killed in action in Iraq in 2005. He was a graduate of the University of Hawaii and a platoon leader with the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. His father, Allen Hoe, a Vietnam War veteran and Gold Star father, led the team to his son's memorial.

There, they placed a maile lei, an open garland of fragrant vines traditionally bestowed as a symbol of honor and respect, in a quiet tribute to his legacy. This gesture carried particular meaning for a team rooted in Hawaii, honoring the mana - spiritual power and enduring influence - of a fallen warrior, whose service, sacrifice and connection shaped those who follow him.

With the day's purpose set, Army Col. Graham White, 25th ID deputy commander of operations, addressed the athletes, challenging them to demonstrate their will to prepare.

"You do not rise to the level of your expectations; you fall to the level of your preparation, your training," White said. "That's it, and that level will determine your results."

The athletes and soldiers then moved to the leadership reaction course and the obstacle course, where they were integrated into squads to solve complex problems and overcome demanding physical challenges.

"It's instilling the warrior ethos in us," said Kainoa Carvalho, a redshirt freshman wide receiver for the Rainbow Warriors. "It's the similar values and attributes that the military takes into battle and that we have to take into battle on the football field as well."

Carvalho noted that the obstacle courses demanded intense communication and grit, which he sees as crucial for building the team chemistry needed to win championships. He highlighted one particular obstacle where his squad formed a human bridge as a powerful example of the teamwork they practiced throughout the morning.

The afternoon continued with a leader professional development session, followed by a community engagement event at Weyand Field. During the event, soldiers, families and athletes competed in football-themed skill challenges, including the 40-yard dash, cone drills, and a punt, pass and kick competition.

It also featured static displays of modern military equipment, including infantry squad vehicles and various weapons systems, providing community members and athletes with a hands-on look at the tools of the modern soldier.

The day culminated with closing remarks from Army Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees, commander of the 25th ID and U.S. Army Hawaii. Bartholomees invoked the words of Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur, stating, "Upon the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that will bear the fruits of victory."

"That is what we believe of sport," Bartholomees continued. "We share that kindred spirit, that same warrior spirit. ... Our soldiers carry that same grit. That is what we share in common, and that's what we, as fellow warriors, can share."