The Long Blue Line (Spring 2024)

RESERVE
U.S. COAST GUARD INFORMATION
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,
and look for the openings for other shots.
Birds used breathing techniques to slow
his heart rate down, and he focused on his
well-trained basics, following the coded
guidance Gray fed him from the corner.
“Once I got in the ring and settled down,
I started to see the openings,” said Birds,
trusting his training to guide his defense
and concentrating on his offensive moves.
The rest of the fight felt like a blur to
him. After he had finished three rounds,
the referee pulled Birds’ wrist to the air,
signaling his victory.
He’s been in a number of fights since then,
but that first match was special. 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 preparing for his
next fight. This spring, Birds is scheduled
to compete in the 5th Annual Las Vegas
Masters Boxing Championships, putting
his training to the ultimate challenge.
He’s been in a
number of fights
since then, but
that first match
was special.
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
(NPD).
She loves the physical fitness,
camaraderie, and working around the
community.
Her first law enforcement (LE) 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.’” He said Van Alstyne’s
good mood and positive energy were her
hallmark, as well as her love of a new
challenge.
As partners, Van Alstyne and Williams
responded to police cases during the
day and often 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 Van Alstyne followed a few months
later. She remembers a tough time during
boot camp where she was considering
leaving, partly because of the stress, and
partly because she was worried about
her family back home being without her.
She called Williams for his advice. Her LE
partner was now a machinery technician
second class at PSU 305’s waterside
division. This time it was Williams who
68 SPRING 2024
THE LONG BLUE LINE