The term brotherhood is thrown around often when describing college athletics, and with good reason. Teams work together to reach goals over a four to five year period, experiencing highs and lows, and leaning on each other for strength. But sometimes brotherhood extends to a different level.

Take the story of Curt Daniels, USMA Class of 2005 and 2004 Army Football Captain. The 2004 team was one that together, endured some of the most difficult times in the history of Army football. Those cadets walked into West Point with the spirit of youth and a confidence that could not be shaken. The world was quiet and their futures bright. Then, on a warm Tuesday in September before a home game against Buffalo, a plane flew over West Point that would, only moments later, crash violently into the World Trade Center. September 11th happened, and the world changed. As plebes, the mission remained the same, but the landscape had changed. These brothers came together.

The 2001-2003 football seasons were difficult and dark for Army. The team went 4-32 in that span, culminating in an 0-13 season in 2003. That year, they lost their head coach (Todd Berry) mid season and saw their brothers that graduated a year or two before head off to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. The men that came to West Point on top of the world had not tasted victory in over a year, and the reality of their future stared them in their face every day. These brothers needed each other.

For Curt, the brotherhood extended even further. His embraced those that went through each and every day with him and those that had come before him wearing the black and gold and were now in harm's way, as it did every Army player. But his also added blood to the equation. Curt's brother, Clay Daniels, played his last game for Army in 1999 against Navy, wearing a cast on his broken leg to get in for the last play. The 2000 USMA graduate, now a Captain in the Army, was in Iraq, fighting a greater war for a greater cause. The thoughts of Clay weighed on Curt's mind, and he looked to his brother for guidance. Clay looked to Curt for a little piece of home, and updates on the team. These brothers relied on each other.

The bond that holds the Army team together is something that does not end. We caught up with Curt, knowing what the relationship is among the players while at the Academy, to ask him how that time at West Point affected him, and what the importance of his brothers, both on the field and in his family, gave him now that he is on active duty.

Having graduated in 2005, Curt has been moving a mile a minute. "After my 60 days of graduation leave I reported to Ft. Benning for my Infantry training," explains Curt. "Over the last 10 months I've attended IOBC (Infantry Officer Basic Course), Ranger School, and Airborne School. I just arrived at my permanent station in Ft. Carson, CO. I should be taking over a rifle platoon as soon as I'm done with inprocessing."

The busy schedule of a young Army Infantry officer will keep anyone on the move. However, the training is tough and focused, and being able to share that focus with others who are walking in the same shoes and have shared the same experiences is critical. "I try to keep in touch with my former teammates as much as possible," starts Curt, "but sometimes it can be hard. The Army spreads everyone to the four winds real quickly. A lot of guys are in Iraq already, and many of those who aren't are getting ready to go. When we do get a hold of each other though, it's just like old times. We talk about our current situations with our platoons, etc., but mainly we just joke around and talk about the good times we're having in our respective locations."

Often times, you hear college coaches and color commentators speak of a game on the gridiron as war. Obviously, Curt is training for a war that is real, and much more dangerous. The famous quote by General George Marshall, "I want an officer for a secret and dangerous mission; I want a West Point Football player," bears a certain quality of mystique, but does Army Football really prepare someone for what they face as an Army officer? "I would say the mental aspect of playing football has helped me more than anything. Staying focused under pressure was something I learned very quickly as an Army Football player, and it has certainly translated over to the Infantry" explains the former Black Knight. "Mental and physical toughness are also two fundamentals I learned on the football field that have impacted my military training. There were plenty of times during Ranger School that made me think to myself, "well this sucks pretty bad, but at least it's not three-a-days."

With the intense training involved with being an Infantry officer, one would think that as soon as you are pulled away from the Academy, it becomes harder and harder to follow the team, and easier to think about other things. But what many find is that the brotherhood of those who wear the Black and Gold extends and bonds as their careers continue. "Absolutely. I feel as much of a connection to Army football now as I did while I was there," states Curt. "I just wish I could be closer to the action. I have to admit, I was a little envious of my classmates who stayed back to be GA's (Graduate Assistants), because they were essentially able to experience another whole season. I found myself calling and emailing those guys a lot to get updates on the team."

The former players keep close tabs on each other and maintain close bonds, both from their gridiron experiences and as brothers in arms. "I've already seen a bunch of former players in my short time in the Army," explains Curt. "I was at Ft. Benning with Mike Resnick and Greg Washington (class of '05) who both branched infantry with me. I used to run into some older guys around post as well. I used to see CPT Derrick Goodwin (class of '01) all the time around post. He was a GA during my plebe year. I use to also run into Adam Hess (class of '02) a lot who was a Firstie when I was a plebe. It's great seeing guys like that because even though we were far apart in age, there's an immediate connection through Army Football. There are more ex-players here at Ft. Carson as well (including Curt's brother, Clay). Scott Eden (2LT, class of '05) is in my battalion, and CPT Graham White (class of '00) is commanding a company in my battalion. I love serving with former players because I immediately know I can count on them no matter what the situation."

Curt, along with fellow former Army players, kept a close eye on his former teammates. "I tried to follow the team as closely as I could this past season. During the fall I was still in IOBC so I was able to see most of the games on television, as long as we weren't in the field. All the West Pointers would get together on Saturday afternoon and head to one of the local sports bars in Columbus to watch the games. I can't tell you how proud I was of their performance. I know they wanted to win more games, but I felt like they made some great improvements and the 4-game winning streak was awesome. I also got to make it back for the Army Navy game, which was another heartbreaker but it was good to see all the guys again."

And what does Curt think of Army's chances this year? "As for the current team, I think they are going to be very solid. They're returning a lot of great talent on both offense and defense, and I can't wait to see them in action this fall."

Continuing to maintain close tabs on his football brothers and bonding with those others he meets along the way brings us back to Curt's relationship with Clay. In the 2004 season, their relationship was profiled, and the mentorship that Clay provided proved very important in Curt's development. That continues today as Curt begins his military leadership role and Clay continues his road of leadership and growth. "I talk to Clay all the time. He has been the biggest mentor in my life in terms of my development as an officer. Whenever I have questions or concerns, I just give him a call and he always seems to have the right answers. I'm very lucky to have someone like Clay who I can always go to. Not just because he's my brother, but because he's one of the best officers I've ever known. He has been successful at everything he's done: Special Forces, Ranger, combat...he's done just about everything. The best part for me now is that we are both stationed at Ft. Carson together (he's with the 10th Special Forces Group, and I'm with 1/9 IN). Now instead of being able to call him with questions, I can just get in my car and head over to his house. It's pretty awesome."

Though much of the strength and bond that Curt and his teammates built together was built around helping each other through difficult times, there are some great moments they shared together. Curt's favorite moment as a player came in 2004. "(My favorite memory was) Beating Cincinnati my Firstie (senior) Year. The cadets rushed the field and tore down the goal posts. After losing 19 in a row, the feeling to finally win again was indescribable."

To those considering coming to West Point, Curt's message is clear. "You have the opportunity to be a part of something very special. Few people in this world will ever experience the type of unique brotherhood that you will find with Army Football. You will go through a lot with your teammates, but they will become your most loyal and trusted friends. Furthermore, the current team is packed full of athletes who know how to win ball games, and Coach Ross and his staff are the best in college football. You will undoubtedly be a part of a winning program. Good luck, and Go Army!"

Curt, currently at Ft. Carson, CO and getting ready to lead his new platoon has a message for this year's Army team as well. "Have no regrets. Put everything you possibly can into winning football games. A year down the road you want to be able to look back and know in your heart that you did everything you could for that team. Hold yourself accountable, but more importantly hold each other accountable; every single day no matter what the circumstances. You are living the greatest days of your life right now. Make them worth it."

Let us all be thankful that these brothers that stand together on football Saturdays and show such loyalty and honor in he years following graduation have chosen the path they have. And when they speak of their lives together as a brotherhood, let us all understand that it truly goes a bit deeper.

Note: Curt and Clay have an additional brother, Clint, who is a school teacher in Kansas. Clint is an avid supporter of Army football and his brothers, and could be seen at Michie Stadium with his parents during their playing days.