Edwin Lopez, who served seven years in the Air Force, is a walk-on backup fullback, but with the starter injured, Lopez could be getting the call.

A.E. ARAIZA / arizona daily star

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Edwin Lopez is a walk-on backup fullback, a position that makes him all but invisible on the Arizona Wildcats massive roster.

Starting today, however, Lopez will get to pull rank.

The seven-year Air Force veteran is the only UA player to spend significant time on a military base. Lopez, 26, knows exactly what to expect during the Wildcats' three-day trip to Fort Huachuca — even if he's from a different branch of the military.

"The entire team's been asking what it's like," Lopez said. "Life on base is all about the mission, really. It's all about making sure the pilots are up in the air, ready to go, and it's about teamwork. Even when there's downtime, it's all about camaraderie, hanging out with your fellow soldiers."

For three days, the UA football team will live like Army cadets.

The Wildcats will hold their third "two-a-day" session of training camp today, with practices scheduled for 8 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. They'll train again Friday at 8:30 a.m., then scrimmage Saturday morning at Buena High School in Sierra Vista. The team will stay in barracks and take part in military and simulator training before returning to Tucson on Sunday morning.

UA coach Mike Stoops is unsure what the trip holds — "I would imagine we'll go to a barracks, put our stuff in a little box and go to work," he said — but is optimistic the close quarters will bring his team together. The Wildcats haven't been to a bowl game since 1998.

"It will be neat to interact with some of the guys on base and do some of the activities with them," Stoops said. "I think our guys will get a kick out of that."

In exchange, Army officials will preach the importance of staying together in tough times — something the military has mastered for more than 200 years.

Nobody knows the details better than Lopez, who was stationed in Turkey, South Korea, Guam and Germany, and spent four months in Iraq.

Lopez was living in Incirlik, Turkey — his final stop — when he began looking at colleges. He had taken classes at the University of Maryland before enlisting, but wanted to move farther west.

"At first, I was looking at different types of schools — mostly veteran-friendly places like San Diego State," he said. "A friend of mine works for Raytheon (Missile Systems), and so I heard a lot about the U of A. I followed the team a bit while I was overseas, and decided to give it a shot. What the heck?"

Lopez moved to Tucson in February 2007. Within days, a chance meeting with an alumnus got Lopez in touch with linebackers coach Tim Kish.

Lopez began practicing with the team last fall. Coaches moved him to fullback for his junior season and, as a result, he could see some playing time this fall.

Until then, he said he is content to be the Wildcats' answer man.

"I'm a team leader as well as a team player," he said.

"If the opportunity arises, I'm ready."