MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Lance Cpl. Tommy Roque, a boxer with the All-Marine Boxing Team aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, has a lot to look forward to in the upcoming months.
From Oct. 8-17, he, along with 250 service members hailing from approximately 25 countries, will compete in the 53rd Conseil International du Sport Militaire’s (International Military Sports Council’s) World Military Boxing Championship.
Representing the 132-pound weight class, Roque stepped up to the plate by earning that position through his win at the 2010 Armed Forces Boxing Championship aboard Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme, Calif., against Spc. Conner Johnson of Fort Carson, Colo.
“I started boxing when I was eight years old, being trained by my father,” said Roque. “I went on to win a number of local and state boxing events.”
Roque was ranked first in his home state of New York, having fought in the Empire State Games, Silver & Junior Golden Gloves events and various other competitions. In 2006, he stopped boxing to focus on his future Marine Corps career.
“I joined with an aviation supply (military occupational specialty),” said Roque. “Due to a clear background, I was assigned to Marine Corps Helicopter Squadron One, the presidential support unit based in (Marine Corps Air Facility) Quantico, Va.”
Roque was assigned to HMX-1 for two months, during which time he reflected on how the Marine Corps and its training rekindled his love of boxing, resulting in his application to join the AMBT. Since making the team in April 2009, Roque said he has embarked on a journey that he hopes will take him far into the future.
“I weighed my options between HMX-1 and the team, and I eventually went with the team for the physical and mental challenge as well as to be a part of a great team,” said Roque.
Roque stated that because he is on the boxing team, some people think he has the easy Marine Corps life. However, he said that is not the case at all, especially when training for his upcoming trials in the CISM event.
“We have an intense training regimen, usually including running in the morning, plyometrics, weight training and then actual boxing training in the afternoon,” said Roque. “While all this training is going on, we keep it a family environment with everyone having fun.”
With the CISM boxing event just a couple months away, Roque is keeping a positive mental attitude and continues to focus on his training. While he is looking forward to the CISM event, he looks further into the future toward his real goal – becoming an Olympian.
“I’m pretty excited for the fights, and I think it will be a great experience to get me ready for the 2012 Olympic trials,” said Roque. “My goal is to place with a CISM medal, but I’m just happy for the opportunity to compete.”