A U.S. Army All-American athlete and a Soldier mentor

A U.S. Army All-American athlete and a Soldier mentor observe the joint East/West practice Jan. 3, at Heroes Stadium, San Antonio. Soldier mentors are selected because they have excelled in their personal and professional endeavors, are paired with AAB participants to share their personal stories of perseverance, selfless-service and excellence with the All-Americans. The practice was held in preparation for the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which will kick off Jan. 7, at the San Antonio Alamodome, and will be broadcast live on NBC at 12 p.m. CST. The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is the nation's premier high school football game and it provides a platform for Soldiers to engage with students, families and community officials while showcasing the Army’s latest innovations in technology and its ongoing commitment to the development of America’s future leaders. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. James Lefty Larimer, 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)