Bethel Park cadet serves at Army All-America Bowl
Cadet Charles Davis saw more correlations than disconnect when he served as a mentor to 90 of the best high school football players in the country during their stay in San Antonio for the U.S. Army All-America Bowl.
The game, played in the Alamodome and broadcast on NBC, saw the West defeat the East, 37-9. The contest, in its 16th year, has produced more than 200 NFL players and Heisman Trophy winners. Some of the elite alumni include Andrew Luck, Jamaal Charles, Odell Beckham Jr., DeMarco Murray, Eric Berry, Patrick Peterson, LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins, to name a few.
“It’s very exciting and I feel great for the football players,” said Cadet Davis. “They are doing what they love. We all have a calling,” he noted.
Cadet Davis’s calling is the Army. The 21-year-old Bethel Park resident is a senior enrolled in the ROTC program at Penn State University. He will receive his commission in May.
“I plan on making the Army a career,” he said. “So far, I enjoy it and I want to see where it takes me.”
Because of his outstanding record, including a top-notch GPA and fitness scores, Cadet Davis was selected to mentor the athletes, many of whom mirror the value of soldiers, during their week in Texas. Cadet Davis served as an escort for the players, who attended events such as a national combine. He also sat in attendance during the all-star game.
“We worked with different players, assisted them during registration and escorted them to the stadium for events. During the game, we had the opportunity to enjoy it and watch it with our fellow cadets.
“Our main goal was to represent the Army and ROTC in the best way possible. Give the athletes and their families the best view possible of what we do and what it’s all about.
Cadet Davis added that since some of the high school players have not declared a school yet, he stood ready with answers as to why the army is a good fit.
Since his younger days growing up in Bethel Park, Cadet Davis found the military a solid fit for him. He grew up involved in Cub Scouts and Boys Scouts. “So, the army seemed obvious,” he said. “I liked doing service for my community in any way possible. The army is the best fit to serve your community.”
The army also offered him aspects of athletics he was unable to achieve in high school, although he did letter in lacrosse during his scholastic days.
“The army is the largest team in the world,” Cadet Davis said.
“The best part of being on a team is working together and putting it all on the line for your teammates. Everyone has something to contribute. We all have skills and you play off the strengths of others. You don’t have to rely on yourself. Together you can accomplish great things.”
In the Army, Cadet Davis says that he has learned many lessons, similar to those cultivated through sports. “Working with your peers, working towards an outcome, relying on yourself and your teammates,” he said.
Through the ROTC program, Cadet Davis has developed into a leader and he said that he is looking forward to “leading soldiers” in the Army once he is commissioned. He plans to go the extra mile in service to his country.
“One big thing I learned in life is that hard work and dedication is the key,” he said. “As long as you stick with it, you will accomplish what you set out to achieve.”
Already, Cadet Davis has achieved much but the thing that he is proudest of is his service to the community. “I represent Bethel Park and I represent Penn State and the Army as well and I love it,” he said. “I want to be the best that I can be.”