TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosted Military Day at training camp on Monday morning, welcoming in active duty military members, veterans and their families to the AdventHealth Training Center.
After practice, 50 service members got the opportunity to take the field for the annual “USAA’s Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp.”
They took part in a number of combine drills like the 40-yard-dash, three-cone drill and more. The winning group won tickets to the Bucs’ Salute to Service game on Nov. 30.
It is absolutely POURING here at Bucs training camp this morning 😂
It’s Military Day at One Buc with active duty military members, veterans and their families out at practice.
The Bucs will host a USAA Combine at the indoor practice facility later! @BN9 @SpecSports360 pic.twitter.com/O7p5bByfkm
— Michael Epps (@MichaelEppsTV) August 3, 2026
“When I tell you they’re excited, they’re excited. So just as the NFL prepares for their game day, the military prepares for its game day as well. So they’re used to this. But today it’s about competition, though,” USAA military affairs representative Shelina Frey said.
“Oh I was terrified. I was like, OK, let’s do it. So we ran a couple before work a couple days. We were just running drills and practicing together, trying to get ready for this,” United States Coast Guard member Bella Fleeger said.
“It’s great. So the job gets kind of stressful sometimes. Sometimes you’re away from your family, so to come here and, you know, bring your family as guests and we can be inside this nice facility. It’s been a great opportunity,” United States Air Force member Tramaine Smith said.
This marks the eighth year that USAA and the Buccaneers have hosted “USAA’s Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp.”