Bulldog Brigade: A fighter’s Story

Friday, September 7, 2018
Story by Staff Sgt. Felicia Jagdatt
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs

EL PASO, Texas -- A Soldier is someone who puts on a combat uniform every day and fulfills the nation’s call, but behind every Soldier is a man or woman who is unique and has abilities beyond honorable service.
                Spc. Michael Nickerson, an armor crewman and the brigade executive officer’s driver for 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team 1st Armored Division, does more than your average Soldier.
               Nickersonis a boxer at Terry Green’s Boxing Academy in El Paso and credits his training there for being a better Soldier and leader.
                “When you’re in a match or training, you have to control everything,” Nickerson explained. “As a leader, you also have to control everything. You have to control your emotions, body language when there’s a conflict. You have to respect the conflict just like you respect the opponent, which makes you a better person. In boxing, you have to be willing to learn from your mistakes and the critique of others. In life, and as a Soldier, you have to do the same.”
                Boxing was a sport that Nickerson always had with him, but the journey to begin and stay with it was a struggle.
                He grew up at many foster homes in northern Texas. At one home and around the age of 14, he was first exposed to boxing by his foster dad who was a professional boxer before suffering an injury.
                At first, Nickerson had no interest in the sport and passed it up, but later reflected on his past training to assist him in losing weight. The sport stayed with him from that moment on.
                “It was like a boost of energy,” said Nickerson. “I just wanted more, and I was becoming good at it. It was a confidence booster, but it humbles me more than anything.”
                Now, almost a decade later, Nickerson is mentoring young kids himself as he was once mentored.
                “At the academy, I feel like I have a real impact,” said Nickerson. “A lot of kids there look up to the older fighters and instructors. When the coaches are busy training one on one, I have no issues running the kids, teaching them moves, or whatever else the coach wants of us. Helping them helps me at the end of the day.”
                Nickerson believes, “children are our future and taking time out to give back to the community, wherever the Army calls, is a high priority. El Paso just happens to be that community and it’s been a real experience here.”
                Being that boxing is important to Nickerson, he is always training himself to compete as one of Terry Green’s fighters and wants to eventually compete on the All Army Boxing team.
                “Joining the All Army Boxing team is one of the reasons I joined,” said Nickerson. “It would be amazing if I ever had the opportunity. I joined the Army for many other personal reasons, but that would be my greatest take away.”