I have a great Headquarters section. It’s small, but it’s great. Every now and then, we get a wild hair and have a friendly challenge during PT. This morning, we met to play basketball. Back in December, my Commander, XO, and I took on three other junior NCOs in a friendly game of basketball.

Those of you who have met me know that I’m not exactly what one would think of when they picture what basketball players look like. And I play up to that perception on the court too. Last year, we lost by two points. Today, we had a rematch.

The game went well, with the brass (two Captains and a First Sergeant) whopping up early on the chiljins (two Sergeants and a Private First Class). The entire game remained close throughout. The maximum point spread through the game was only about 4 points (each basket was one point). For someone who will be turning 35 in a couple of weeks, I held my own as a shortie. I’m dangerous under the basket, but you have nothing to worry about if I have to make a shot from any distance away. I’m also very quick and able to steal the ball from taller players.

In the end, we lost again, but only by one point this time. We were ahead almost the entire game, but we just couldn’t get the shots to stick when we needed it most. The troopies kept getting some lucky rebounds and we had limp off in sweaty and panting defeat. At least we’re still undefeated at racquetball. We’ll get ‘em next time!