By Pfc. Deviana Rodriguez
III Armored Corps Public Affairs

DESOTO, Texas – The U.S. Army Experience – Dallas Roadshow is returning to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, allowing high school student athletes a glimpse into the life of an Army Soldier.

Beginning July 27 and ending July 31, Soldiers assigned to III Armored Corps at Fort Hood volunteer as drill sergeants and travel to Dallas-area high schools to lead student athletes in team-building exercises inspired by the physical and mental challenges in the Army to test students’ resilience and sportsmanship.

The initiative kicked off at DeSoto High School’s multipurpose complex, where the four-time and current Class 6A Division II Texas High School football state champions participated.

Claude Mathis, head football coach of the DeSoto Eagles for the past fifteen years, was eager to speak to everyone the day of the event.

“This is first-class training, I think the team can understand what this means for our program,” Mathis said, “how this will develop these young men and get them where they need to be and how mentally tough you have to be in order to be disciplined, in order to be in the military.”

The roadshow is designed to strengthen relationships between the Army and local communities while exposing students to pressurized situations where unified effort is essential to support each other to the finish line and keep one another accountable.

With their reputation on the line, and a potential repeat championship on the horizon, DeSoto High School football players began sharpening more than their athletic skills and capabilities with this week’s event.

SaRod Baker, a senior running back for the DeSoto Eagles, spoke about how the challenges reinforced the lessons the team hopes to carry into the upcoming season. Baker said he thought there were many great takeaway lessons.

“Anybody can try to play as a team, but you’ve got to be consistent and rely on each other,” Baker explained. “You can’t play as a team for one play and then play for yourself the next.”

Fort Hood leaders hope each high school stop leaves students with more than just a memorable experience. The lessons learned through each challenge are intended to build confidence and allow the students to grow and strengthen their communication.

Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Betts, public affairs operations noncommissioned officer and the creator of the U.S Army Experience, III Armored Corps, took his time to instill the meaning behind the Dallas Roadshow to the student-athletes.

“Being good young men of character starts at home, at school and on the field,” Betts said to the students. “The exercises we worked on today were all about the Army’s seven values. Those are the things we live by and want you to understand and take on.”

Mathis was very appreciative and made sure to give a shoutout to all the service members who came out to help and participate in the event.

“I would like to thank the Army and the uniformed members here today and Fort Hood, Texas, for coming out and doing this,” he said.

The Dallas Roadshow was created as an extension of The U.S. Army Experience following its recent success, when over 6,500 students participated between the Basic Training Challenge and the Career Expo at Fort Hood back in March 2026.

The U.S. Army Experience is set to continue engaging the Army with high schools and student-athletes to become a staple in connecting the military and civilian communities here in Texas.

B-roll of the U.S. Army Experience – Dallas Roadshow

A-roll of the U.S. Army Experience – Dallas Roadshow