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U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program

What is it?

The Army's World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) provides outstanding Active-duty, Guard and Reserve Soldier-athletes the support and training to compete and succeed in national and international competitions leading to Olympic and Paralympic Games, while maintaining a professional military career and promoting the U.S. Army to the world.

WCAP is a detachment of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation division. The Soldiers train full time in an Olympic sport, and participate in the Pan American Games, World Championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games.

What has the Army done?

The Army has placed more than 500 Soldiers on the U. S. Olympic Team and has won more than 110 medals since 1948. There are currently more than a dozen Soldiers assigned to the program who have represented the Army and the United States at the Olympics and World Championships, winning three Olympic and seven World Championship medals.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned in the future?

In the next few months, WCAP Soldiers will represent the Army and the U.S. in qualifying competitions, and at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London. Soldier-athlete successes will be showcased on ArmyMWR.com/WCAP and Army.mil, as they qualify for and compete at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The goal is to exemplify Army Strong within the U.S. Olympic Team, inspiring Soldiers, families, and civilians.

WCAP is preparing to become the lead agency for the Joint-Services Parathlete Program, offering wounded warriors an opportunity to train, compete and qualify for the Paralympic Games. The program supports resiliency by offering wounded warriors the means to pursue new goals and dreams in spite of physical disabilities. These athletes set examples for other wounded warriors and our nation with their amazing accomplishments. Six WCAP wounded warriors are currently training at the national level to represent the Army and the U.S. at the Paralympic Games.

Why is this important to the Army?

WCAP Soldiers provide a positive impact on the Army's mission. Olympic caliber boxers, wrestlers, and taekwondo athletes assist instructing in the Modern Army Combatives Program and have trained hundreds of Soldiers to date. They have provided thousands of potential leads to Army recruiters by sharing their Olympic story and promoting the Army in high schools and colleges during Total Army Involvement in Recruiting (TAIR) missions. WCAP Soldiers have gone on to become recruiters, drill sergeants, Rangers and Special Forces.

Resources:

IVideo: U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program
U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program official website
U.S. Army MWR

Related article: Wounded Warrior headed to Paralympic Games

Social Media presence:
WCAP on YouTube
WCAP on Twitter
WCAP on Facebook
WCAP on Flickr