Master Sgt. Erwin Jamieson, U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, was selected to serve as the 2012 All-Army assistant soccer coach. Jamieson's soccer background began during his childhood days in Colombia, South America, and then in the United States at Club Soccer in Brandon, Fla., and high school, where he was selected as All Hillsborough County, Fla.
He was first selected to try out for the All-Army team which is made up of the best players in the Army. Once he was noticed by the previous All Army coach while stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas, as early as 1999, but did not make the team due to injuries sustained in an early tournament. Jamieson missed subsequent camp opportunities due to recruiting and Iraqi deployments while in his playing prime.
However, his ability as a player and passion for the game made a good impression on the previous All-Army coach, who made the referral to the All-Army Sports Office and current All-Army coach for his selection as the assistant All-Army coach in 2012.
Upon his selection, Jamieson attended the All-Army soccer camp in Fort Huachucha; 27 selected players were eliminated to the final 18. During the camp, the team underwent vigorous twice a day training sessions in the 4,700 feet above sea-level elevation conditions of Huachucha, and many evening scrimmage games with local teams, the Real Salt Lake Academy and the University of Arizona Club team. Following the camp, the team departed for Camp Pendleton, Calif.
The Army team finished second place after losing to the Air Force 2-1 in the final minutes of the second overtime in the finals.
One of the highlights from the experience for Jamieson and the rest of the All-Army soccer team was the honor to visit one of the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team closed practice session and meet many players to include, Josh Saunders, Landon Donovan and international soccer star David Beckham, who allowed many photos and autographs.
"David was very gracious and won the respect of all the All Army players for his generosity," Jamieson said. "Additionally,it was an honor to be selected to work with some of the best players from around the Army to include prior West Point Academy alumni."
He thanked his chain of command for allowing him to participate.
Jamieson's advice to future All-Army hopefuls selected to try out is to be in top-notch game shape, be actively playing prior to the camp, but avoid tournaments close to the camp date. The past two years, Jamieson has played with the Vicenza post team and assisted with the coaching while recovering from knee surgery. He also coached for the Child Youth and School Services and helped members of the Italian Select Academy, like his daughter Gabriella, get ready for the renowned Gothia World Youth Soccer tournament in Gothenburg, Sweden, in August.
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