DVIDS – News – MDNG Soldiers Run Long Distances in All-Army Soccer

LAUREL, Md. (March 1, 2024) – With spring comes the return of the Armed Forces Soccer Tournament, as U.S. military members around the world suit up to earn a spot on their branch teams. A select few not only have to contend with chain of command approvals and daunting moves just to try to get through this competitive process, they also have to take a break from their civilian careers. Probably not. Although the number of participants is small, reservists are also welcome to participate in this grueling tournament.

U.S. Army Special Forces are among the citizen-soldiers heading to the trial camp in search of tournament glory. Alexander “Jake” Tosta, 29, military intelligence analyst with Headquarters Company, 629th Military Intelligence Battalion, Maryland Army National Guard. Having played soccer with his father and brother since he was five years old, this Miami, Florida native and Manchester United fan has seamlessly made the sport of soccer a part of his identity.

“Soccer is known as the 'beautiful game' because it can bring people together no matter where they come from.” He recalled how much he loved the sport and said that their understanding and love for the sport made verbal communication unnecessary. “We found a common means of communication through the common language of passing the soccer ball,” Tosta said.

Tosta's extraordinary athletic journey spanned him from youth and school sports to active duty in the military in 2020. He didn't even pursue football through the Army's recruiting process, he claims, and remembers arriving at Fort Martin. Bliss, Texas, and within a few weeks, the game seemed to have found him. He quickly excelled on the base team and played with military personnel from multiple branches thanks to Fort Martin. Bliss, the second largest base in the U.S. military, is a joint facility.

While Tosta remained focused on his career, he garnered attention for his skill and dedication. In 2023, he was offered a tryout for the All-Army soccer team. Having secured one of 40 spots in the trial camp, he won one of the coveted 18 spots in the branch team, playing as right-back and right midfielder while wearing the number 12 shirt. did.

The 2023 Men's All-Army campaign was a success, winning all four games, including the championship with a 4-1 (after a 1-1 tie) victory over the Marines on penalty kicks on April 11. Head coach Maj. Josh Green said Tosta was a “huge part” of Army's gold-medal winning team.

With the accolades still high, Tosta next played as part of a “service team” made up of all U.S. military players. Despite the exponential concentration of talent, they often train together for less time than individual teams in each branch. In their most recent game, a 2-1 loss to Czarni Jaslo Chicago in Auburndale, Fla., in January 2024, Tosta pointed out that they have been training together all year. .

Tosta has since ended his active-duty Army contract, switched to M-Day in the Maryland National Guard, and settled with his wife in Fairfax, Virginia, where he works full-time as an intelligence analyst for the federal government. Despite the added complexity of his reserve life, he decided to try out for the All-Army team again this winter. On February 5 of this year, just two weeks after his heartbreak in Chicago, he received notice that he had been invited back to trial camp at Fort Martin. Cavazos, Texas in March.

Despite the additional paperwork of deploying Soldiers across the country during what is often a busy season, the 629th EMIBn is proud to have a unique team at this level. His story resonated with many other troops who have played the game, including U.S. Army Commander Sergeant John Johnson. Major Ryan Haynes.

“Special Tosta is an inspiration to everyone. I played soccer at a competitive level when I was younger and it takes a lot of hard work to maintain that level of fitness, agility and skill. and understands the dedication required. He not only maintains, “In addition to his football ability, he also maintains his National Guard and civilian service. All three… The dedication required to manage the SPC shows the hard work and motivation that is driven by the soldier's spirit. I am proud of SPC Tosta and his accomplishments and that he is a part of it. We're glad you're part of our team. We wish him and his team the best of luck. Let's go to the army! '' Haynes said.

Tosta is one of only three National Guard members to participate in this year's trial camp, with the others definitely on active duty. Tosta downplayed its importance, pointing to the team's motto “Eleven as One” and stressing that team spirit overcomes all differences.

Special tostas are still part of this elite force and serve in military intelligence units while the Army implements such a billet expansion in one of the largest force reforms in recent decades. must be balanced with many other duties. He attends team training and solo sessions after work to maintain his skills. Although his command is supportive, he still has to attend training and make up for lost training as a military intelligence specialist. “If you're passionate about something, you can always make time for it. I balance my role as a husband, my work responsibilities, and my role as a member of the Maryland National Guard. I'm trying really hard.”

As he laces up his cleats and bids farewell to his colleagues and service members, there are still chapters to be written in this soccer journey for a soccer player who is a citizen, a soldier, and always looking forward to his next adventure. .

The 629th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion is part of the Maryland Army National Guard's 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade. The battalion's headquarters are in Laurel, Maryland, and the unit's history dates back to his 1986. For more information about the unit, please visit its official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/629MIBN/.