Photo By Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Monsivais | Airman 1st Class Xavier Wilson, an American Forces Network Benelux public affairs...... read more read more
Dribbling down the court may not seem like a way to get better at an office job, but for one young Airman, his favorite pastime helps him become a better radio DJ for his community.
Airman 1st Class Xavier Wilson works at American Force Network Benelux as a radio DJ producing content for the Benelux region at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.
The basketball court has always been where Xavier feels most at home. Dunking on the court equates to dunking on his job because of the team skills he’s formed.
Xavier started playing basketball when he was 6. He played for one season, then he quit. Xavier explained, “I’m not sure why I stopped, but I did.” He continued playing basketball casually with his friends until freshman year, when he decided to become an asset to his school's basketball team.
Xavier sadly expressed, “I tried out, but I didn’t make the team because my basketball IQ was low.”
He was skilled but lacked the confidence to put his talent to use. He decided to move to Minnesota with his dad, but despite not making the cut for the team, he didn’t give up.
“When I first moved to Minnesota, I didn’t know anyone,” said Xavier. “Playing basketball helped me make friends and helped my confidence grow.
“I started working out with my dad,” he added. “During the summer break I would also walk to the gym and play basketball everyday.”
He pushed himself and made the basketball team his sophomore year. He continued to play basketball and grow his skills.
Upon high school graduation he traded his basketball team for a different team when he joined the U.S. Air Force. Moving from the basketball court to the military had its differences but it also had its similarities.
“I saw the team mentality in the Air Force and how they worked toward missions bigger than any one person,” Xavier explained. “When you get into the military, especially at basic training, you're with a group of people that you've never met before in your life. You have that same goal: to complete tasks and graduate. You help each other out just like in basketball.”
This mantra got him through basic and to his first base where he became a radio DJ. His team mentality helps him in his job as a radio DJ because it’s all about getting vital information about the many military programs to the Benelux area. A voice is needed for international service members to know where and how they can find support programs or solutions to problems that may arise.
He and his AFN team support listeners within 30,000 square miles of SHAPE -- the area spans five countries and reaches approximately 56,000 listeners. They rely on each other to ensure their international community is supported and the mission is accomplished.
“Being a part of a team is important in both the military and basketball because there is no way I could do this all on my own,” said Xavier. “Everyone on the team has their own strengths and weaknesses that help us get our mission done.”
When he left his sports team behind to join the military, he didn't think he would find a new one immediately; however, once he got settled at his first base, he joined not only the AFN team but also the SHAPE International Basketball Tournament (IBT) Team.
“Playing for the international basketball tournament team has allowed me to meet a lot of people. It's just such a good time,” said Xavier. “I have gotten to meet so many different people from the military -- from colonels to senior master sergeants.”
The IBT is a basketball competition that takes place at SHAPE every year between all NATO countries. They compete for the top spot to win the trophy of best basketball team in the Benelux. Xavier and his team will play in the tournament Nov. 28 through Dec. 4.
“We have been practicing for about 2 hours every Tuesday and Thursday,” said Xavier. “We look forward to trying to win a couple of games.”
Xavier realizes he now has more than just one team. He has a team in the radio studio and on the court. No matter where he is, he realizes there is always someone there to watch his back.
| Date Taken: | 11.02.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.02.2021 10:55 |
| Story ID: | 408510 |
| Location: | SHAPE, HAINAUT (WAL), BE |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Teamwork doesn’t change, by SSgt Nathaniel Monsivais, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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