2nd Lt. Ali Giraud, officer in charge S-1 shop, 303rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade, at first glance seems typical of what you would expect of a leader managing her team. However, there is something atypical about Giraud, perhaps even the reason why teamwork and communication seem to come so effortlessly to her. Giraud is not only a former NCAA Division 1 collegiate athlete, but also a gold medal winner on the 2013 All-Army Volleyball team.
Giraud, a member of the Class of 2012, played volleyball for the Army Black Knights for three of her four years of enrollment. “I didn’t know there were opportunities to continue playing volleyball in the Army, and then two of my old teammates from West Point contacted me and asked me if I wanted to play for the All-Army Volleyball team,” said Giraud. “I then got in contact with the coach and filled out an application.”
Giraud, a native of Petaluma, CA, then spoke about the gold medal. “It’s quite an honor to have a gold medal that represents an All-Army team. At West Point, it was a collegiate team, a collegiate environment. It’s different here, (my teammates) not only serve their country but still find the time to volunteer and go play some volleyball,” said Giraud. “This (gold medal) is really the coolest feeling I’ve ever gotten from any award I’ve ever received, and I’m so proud to have it.”
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