Advanced Individual TrainingPhotos by Bernard S. Little Ron L. Donaldson practices his uppercut under the watchul eye of his coach, Luis Osorio, during a training session Tuesday in Wagner Sports Center at Walter Reed. Donaldson, a light heavyweight, heads to the All-Army Boxing Trial Camp at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Tuesday.

As the muscular 6-foot-2-inch Army specialist threw jabs, upper cuts and combinations, Osorio yelled instructions and encouragements — ‘‘Harder! Sharper! Faster! Snap the punch! Be precise! That’s your best punch!”

The intense training session, one of many for Donaldson, is preparing him for the All-Army Boxing Trial Camp, which begins Tuesday at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. The camp lasts until April 10. If Donaldson does well at the camp, he’ll go to the Armed Forces Boxing Championship April 18-24 at Naval Base Ventura County, Calif.

Although Donaldson only recently arrived at Walter Reed, Osorio, of Walter Reed’s Sports Office, say the fighter has good potential.

‘‘I think he has great speed and is a good counter puncher,” Osorio said. ‘‘I feel as though he has the potential and skills to win the competition [at the All-Army camp] and go on to win the championship,” Walter Reed sports director Richard L. Tatem agrees.

‘‘Donaldson seems to have the right attitude, and all the physical tools are there,” Tatem said. ‘‘I got him working out here, and evenings after work with an outside coach who has all the boxing tools we don’t have here. He’s never once complained and just follows our instructions. He’s been working hard. His company has given their full support and he knows that a lot of people are with him. He will do very well.”

Tatem explained that it’s an honor even to be selected for the All-Army Boxing Trial Camp. ‘‘The Department of the Army (DA) receives a large number of applicants for the camp and can only take 15 to 20 people,” he said.

Tatem explained that in order for a Soldier to apply for All-Army competition, applications must come through him for endorsement.

‘‘In most cases, the sports director should have seen a Soldier participate in higher level competition, however in the case of Donaldson [who only arrived at Walter Reed in January], his talent was seen by a member of the All-Army boxing team when he as stationed at Fort Houston, Texas for [Advanced Individual Training], and gave DA a high recommendation. Therefore, he was selected by DA sports [to attend the All-Army camp].”

Before coming to Walter Reed , Donaldson, a medical logistics specialist, was stationed at Camp Carroll in South Korea for a year.

A native of Saint Petersburg, Fla., the home state of one of his boxing idols, Roy Jones Jr., Donaldson said he began boxing in June 2008.

‘‘I love the sport,” he says.

In addition to Jones, whom he says is one of his favorite boxers because of his showmanship, he lists his other favorite pugilists as: Muhammad Ali, for his movement; Mike Tyson, for his speed and power; and Floyd Mayweather Jr., for his defensive abilities.

‘‘All of them also have great countering capabilities,” Donaldson added, which he prides himself on.

He describes his style as a mix between Jones and Mayweather. ‘‘I am able to sometimes predict what the other fighter is about to do, so I can counter it and move. I can also defend pretty well.” He adds that he is an effective puncher with both hands.

In preparing for the All-Army camp next week, Donaldson has been training six days a week three times a day — morning, noon and evenings, Monday through Saturday.

‘‘Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I weight train during the morning session. Tuesday and Thursday, I do circuit training with fitness director Mike Bowers during the morning session. These are in addition to what I do everyday — morning: cardio; afternoon: aerobics and shadow boxing with Coach Osorio; and evening: sparing with Coach Russell Davis of Supreme Defense. Saturday, I work perfecting my technique.”

Donaldson, who sports an amateur record of 11-0, says that he feels ready for the All-Army boxing trials.

‘‘I think I’m going to do well. I feel as though I have the potential to win the competition, and go on to win the championship,” he said.

‘‘Along with talent, God has blessed me with a wonderful family who supports my dreams and aspirations,” Donaldson added. ‘‘They stand with me 100 percent, unconditionally and regardless of the situation.”

The Headquarters Company Soldier also is appreciative of the support he has received from his military family.

‘‘My chain of command has been supportive, and Headquarters Company is second to none,” Donaldson added.

Editor’s note: Follow Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com⁄WalterReedArmy.