With Veterans Day approaching on November 11, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is proud to honor and celebrate the brave men and women who have served our country. This year, the AAU connected with eleven (11) veterans who are involved with the AAU today to reflect on how their experiences in AAU sports helped shape their futures.

Today, all of these veterans hold a significant role in AAU relations as well. Many of them are coaches, chairmen or chairwomen, officials, and event organizers for AAU today.

From teamwork and discipline to leadership and perseverance, these soldiers share how the lessons learned through the AAU prepared them for the hardships and triumphs of military service and how they carry those lessons today.

In this edition we honor John Slater.

Lieutenant Colonel John Salter is an active member of the United States Air Force and a member of the Tennessee National Guard. He is an essential aspect of the AAU Wrestling program, as he hosts and organizes AAU Wrestling events.

“The military is what drove me to youth sports,” said Salter.

Salter’s son was on base with him as he was in the Marine Corps; his son's interest in sports was what drove his involvement in AAU events. One of his additional duties while serving was being a combat instructor, teaching Marine Corps Martial Arts. He began coaching the kids on base, which led him to join AAU and get involved.

“I was drawn to serving something more important, something bigger than myself,” Salters said when asked about what led him to join the military. Salters emphasizes the many parallels between being a soldier and coaching AAU Wrestling. “Teaching leadership, resilience, and adaptability is also what we teach AAU athletes.”

“I would highly encourage anybody to get involved with AAU, get involved with your community, have a way to give back, ” Salters encourages.

Lieutenant Colonel Salter exemplifies dedication to his craft through both his leadership in AAU Wrestling and his military service. His commitment to mentoring youth athletes by using the principles he's learned through serving the United States will continue to make a lasting impact on AAU athletes on and off the wrestling mats. By pushing teamwork and community, Salter is a strong role model for everyone around him.

To watch more about John Slater's story, click here.