Photo by Cpl. Sean P. Cummins Cpl. Sean P. Minogue, a supply clerk with Communications School, Training and Education Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion here, works the heavy bag during a drill at Larson Gym on March 1. The All-Marine Boxing Team coach and head coach ran four clinics at MCB Quantico to find Marines with the potential to try out for the All-Marine Boxing Team at Camp Lejeune.

The coaches held four, one-hour clinics where Marines went through the basics of boxing: Stance, footwork and basic punches.

‘‘We’re looking for an individual who has heart, intestinal fortitude and some interest in competing in the sport of boxing,” said Ronald Simms, the All-Marine Boxing Team’s head coach.

Operational commitments due to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have caused a high turnover of experienced boxers on the team. While limited experience means extra work for the coaches, it does provide an opportunity for Marines with little experience to get into the sport.

‘‘We’ve got a couple of boxers on the team right now with noexperience and we’re starting them off with the basics,” said Staff Sgt. Narciso Aleman, the All-Marine Boxing Team’s assistant coach. ‘‘[Marines can box] as long as they’re showing progress and determination, desire and heart. The number one thing is heart. We can give them skill but we can’t give them heart.”

Aleman watched Marines as they practiced their footwork and then tested their punching skills with boxing mitt and heavy bag drills. Marines who show potential will have the opportunity to try out for the All-Marine Boxing Team and fight against top boxers from the Army, Navy, Air Force and civilian arena. Simms and Aleman have lofty goals for the boxers on their team and aspire to send aMarine boxer to represent the United States in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.

‘‘As Marines they’re always afforded the opportunity to represent,” said Simms, who has been boxing since 1985 and coaching for the past 12 years. ‘‘It depends on how much they want it and how much they put into it, whether they make it. We will give them theopportunity.”

Marines who did not have the opportunity to participate in the clinic this time around can contact the All-American Boxing Team at 910-451-2621.

— Correspondent : sean.cummins@usmc.mil