Over the years, the Las Vegas Raiders have forged a strong partnership with the military and USAA. In recent years, the team has hosted USAA’s Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp at Allegiant Stadium, offering active-duty military personnel the chance to participate in NFL Combine drills.
The drills include the 40-yard dash, broad jump, three-cone shuttle, receiving gauntlet, and quarterback arm challenge.
“USAA has partnered with the Raiders since 2020, and the collaboration has been exceptional,” said Eric Johnson, a USAA military affairs representative. “Each year, we bring 100 service members to take part in this NFL-style boot camp. As you can see from the enthusiasm behind me, they absolutely love it. It’s a unique experience for them, and we aim to continue this tradition.”
Service members get to run these drills on the field where the Raiders play, the same field that hosted this year’s Super Bowl.
USAA Highlights Player Participation
A key component of the Salute to Service event is player involvement. This year, current Raiders Adam Butler, Dalton Wagner, and Will Putnam helped coach the service members, along with former Raider Leo Gray.
Johnson emphasized that player interaction is what makes these events memorable.
“Having both current and former Raiders players at the event adds significant value because the one-on-one engagement with NFL legends is invaluable,” Johnson remarked.
Adam Butler Shares His Experience with Military
Butler spoke about how the players guided everyone through the drills.
“We’re assisting the service members by introducing them to various skills and drills typical of the NFL Combine,” Butler explained. “While I didn’t attend the NFL Combine myself, I’m quite familiar with what it entails.”
This was Butler’s first year participating, and he felt it gave him a fresh perspective.
“I was surprised by how well the service members performed,” he said. “Some may have never thrown a football before, but it was eye-opening to see how diverse everyone’s backgrounds are. They all came together for a shared goal, which is what truly defines a team. It broadened my understanding of what teamwork means.”
Though Butler did not pursue a military career, his father served for many years, motivating him to support veterans and active-duty members.
“My dad dedicated a significant part of his life to the military,” Butler told Heavy Sports. “When opportunities like this arise, I feel compelled to show my support for the service members, veterans, and those who sacrificed for our country. It’s important for me to be here.”