Then BAM! I got hit with a big left hook, and I thought, ‘Okay, that one hurt—this is real now.’” As he prepped with Gray for the second round, the coach reminded him to slow down his breathing and go back to the basics: footwork, defense, use the jab, look for the openings for other shots. Birds used breathing techniques to slow his heart rate down, and he focused on the basics, following the coded guidance Gray fed him from the corner. He went back to the basics of his training. “Once I got in the ring and settled down, I started to see the openings,” said Bird. He trusted his training to guide his defense and began to concentrate on his offensive moves. The rest of the fight felt like a blur to him, but when he had finished three rounds, the referee pulled Birds’ wrist to the air, signaling he’d won. He’s been in a number of fights since then, but that first match signified something important. For Birds, training is crucial, whether it’s part of his work as a law enforcement instructor, his role as the engineering division officer at Port Security Unit 309, or getting ready for his next fight. As of press time, Birds was scheduled to compete in the 5th Annual Las Vegas Masters Boxing Championships, and training will be a make or break factor among all of the competitors. Van Alstyne would agree, but equally important may be the right attitude toward that training. A born athlete, TJ Van Alstyne had been training with her uncle for the past few years as a boxer, a hobby that would both challenge her and keep her in shape for her work as a police officer with the Norfolk Police Department. She loved the physical fitness, camaraderie, and working around the community. Her first law enforcement partner at NPD, Todd Williams, said “I remember meeting her when I was still in the [police] academy, and she told me, ‘Stay tough! I’m looking forward to seeing you out there on the street,’” said Williams. He said Van Alstyne’s good mood and positive energy were her hallmark, as well as her love of a new challenge. Partners Van Alstyne and Williams responded to police cases during the day and, in their free time, talked about joining the military as a way to continue challenging themselves. They researched which branch would fit them best. When they decided on the Coast Guard, Williams left for training in January 2020, and Chief Warrant Officer Anthony Birds emerges victorious after a recent bout. Photo courtesy Chief Warrant Officer Anthony Birds WINTER 2024 — 19
