Growing up with a father who spent 20 years in the Air Force, Jamal Byrd was fairly certain he didn't want to follow in his father's footsteps and join the Armed Forces.

But as his dedication to a commitment to play football at the Division I level grew stronger, the pull to the Air Force got stronger as well.

Byrd, a prep football star at Foss High School in Tacoma who was named The News Tribune's 2010 boys high school athlete of the year, got offered an opportunity to play football for the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The opportunity to do what he loved was too much to pass up, and the then senior committed.

"When I took my visit to the campus I really loved it," Byrd said this week over the phone from the Academy. "The visit made it seem like the right place for me."

Now a little more than a year into his Air Force journey, Byrd is still working on achieving his goal.

"It's been tough," he said. "I grew up in a disciplined household, but the military is different. It's been a tough transition."

Byrd attended an Academy prep school before fully enrolling at the Colorado Springs campus this year.

"The first thing they make you realize is that academics is the most important part," said Byrd, who finished his high school career with a 3.6 grade point average.

Although the cadet admits the waking up early, marching and room inspections are a tough thing to get used to, he is enjoying playing free safety/wide receiver for the Falcons' junior varsity football team.

"Most freshman play on the JV team before moving up," Byrd said. "Hopefully I'll get moved up as we go farther into the season."

He's already managed to overcoming being away from family in Tacoma and Alabama (where his father lives), and the rigors of basic training.

"I feel like the whole experience is helping me become a better person," Byrd said. "I feel like everything has been beneficial."

With what could be the start of a promising football career on the horizon, Byrd is managing to keep everything in perspective and focus on his studies. He wants to pursue a career in cyber warfare.

"It's a busy field right now," he said. "I'm working hard to try and put myself in a good position for after I graduate from the Academy."

Former Lancer keeping pace

Unlike Byrd, former Lakes High Lancer wide receiver Blue Kearney knew he wanted to one day serve his country.

Kearney attended the Academy prep school with Byrd before arriving at the Air Force Academy this fall.

"I'm making progress to where I want to be," he said.

The freshman recently decided to forgo playing football and pursue running track for the Falcons. But he has spent a lot of time getting his academics in order.

"In high school I could get away with not studying sometimes," he said. "That's not the case here. It's a lot to juggle. It hit me harder than I thought."

But Kearny is dedicated to putting his effort into his academics and working toward one day becoming a combat rescue officer.

"It's a very competitive career field," he said.

But he is undeterred, as the same challenges face him as he tries to lock up a spot on the track team.

"I know I have the athletic ability to compete," Kearney said. "It's like living a dream and I wouldn't want it any other way."

So what's his advice to high school students thinking about pursuing a life at the Air Force Academy?

"Keep your confidence up and work hard on your academics," he said.