SGT Seyward McKinney Returns to Warrior Games

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Soldier Stories, Warrior Games by on May 5, 2011 at 5:55 pm {no comments}

By Donna Butler, WTC Stratcom

SGT Seyward McKinney will compete in the 10K recumbent cycling and sitting shot-put events at the 2011 Warrior Games.

In March 2009, AW2 Veteran SGT Seyward McKinney’s life changed. After returning from Iraq, McKinney was diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in her brain. She was treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and underwent numerous surgeries and nine days after the last, one of the vessels in her brain leaked, which caused her to have a stroke. Paralyzed on the right side of her body, she lost her right-sided peripheral vision. Although her injuries are not combat-related, she is a living testament that non-combat related injuries can challenge Soldiers just as much as combat-related injuries.

McKinney is stationed at the Walter Reed Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) and is working diligently to learn how to overcome her injuries. Her efforts have empowered herself to reach another milestone in her life—competing in the 2010 Warrior Games. She competed in the women’s sitting shot-put, in addition to 10K recumbent cycling, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball. These events helped her attain the sense of teamwork she enjoyed in the Army and now can continue to enjoy with athletics. At the 2010 Warrior Games, she won a gold medal in cycling and a bronze medal in shot-put. These two achievements demonstrated to McKinney that with determination and passion, she could continue to succeed.

Over the past year, she continued physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and uses horseback riding as a way to help treat her injuries. Her performance at the 2010 Warrior Games inspired her to continue striving to reach other goals. Since 2010, McKinney purchased a home, participated in a Paws for Purple Hearts internship to work with animals that assist wounded, ill, and injured Veterans, and competed in the New Orleans Ironman competition. These achievements inspired McKinney to raise the bar.

Today, McKinney continues to not let her injuries stand in her way. In a short few weeks, she will return to the Warrior Games to compete in 10K recumbent cycling and sitting shot-put. Her father, William McKinney, is her coach and personal trainer and helps her train for the Warrior Games at the YMCA. Every week, she completes aggressive workouts three times a week and bikes on various local trails. When asked why she is competing again, she responded, “I’d like to keep improving my time on the bike and distance on the shot-put. Looking for speed and distance this time will hopefully lead towards the opportunity to earn another medal.”

She sees the Warrior Games as an opportunity to compete against herself. It’s an opportunity to prove to herself that if she can make it to this level athletically once again, then she can continue to succeed in other areas of her civilian life.

Warrior Games Marksman Hunts for Gold

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Staff Stories, Warrior Games by on April 28, 2011 at 1:23 pm {no comments}

By Jim Wenzel, WTC Stratcom

Warrior Games shooter SPC David Oliver poses at the Walter Reed Warrior Transition Brigade marksmanship training range.

Warrior Games 2011 is just around the corner. On May 17, roughly 200 Warrior Games athletes from all the military services will gather at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO to compete in track and field, cycling, swimming, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, archery, and shooting events. The members of the Army shooting team in particular, are determined to continue last year’s winning streak. In 2010, the Army shooting team was awarded 9 of the 12 shooting medals.

Despite the fact that last year’s winner was determined by a slim three tenths of a point, SPC David Oliver is looking for gold when he journeys to Colorado next week. Oliver was an infantryman serving in Afghanistan in December of 2009. He was serving as the gunner of a vehicle when it was attacked and rolled off the side of the road. His right arm sustained a crushing injury which required medical evacuation to Walter Reed and amputation of his arm at the shoulder.

Oliver immediately signed up for the Warrior Games after he heard the announcement at a Walter Reed Warrior Transition Brigade (WTB) company formation in January. When asked why he chose shooting, his response was both direct and confident, “I’ve always been a naturally good shot.” Oliver strengthened his natural ability by completing additional training time on the range each week and additional strength training. Noting that his injury has since turned him from a right-handed to left-handed shooter, and asked if it was difficult to switch hands, he replied, “Not really. When it comes down to it, the fundamentals of shooting are the same.” It is clear that this Sacramento, CA native mastered the mental resiliency required to meet the high pressure environment of the competitive shooting range.

MSG Howard Day, the Warrior Games shooting coach for the Army team describes the course of fire for the rifle competitors as 40 pellets shot in 70 minutes at a target roughly 30 feet away. The difficulty of this feat can only be gauged upon examination of the target. The ten scoring rings are grouped on a paper square no bigger than a cocktail napkin, and the “ten” ring is about the width of a pencil eraser. Day explained, “one dropped shot and you might as well pack it in and go home.” The finalists will most likely be determined by a computer that can calculate exactly how close to the center of the ten ring each shot is placed.

Although Day concludes that the Warrior Games are “not about the medals,” it is clear that SPC David Oliver will bring his best competitive game to Colorado Springs and feels that he will show strong for the Army and himself. As for the future, Oliver places a high priority on staying in the Army but will keep all options open. There is no doubt that he will succeed when he applies the same shooter mentality and focus he is exercising on the range to explore his future career options.

Ride to Win

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games by on April 27, 2011 at 12:04 pm {no comments}

By Tim Poch, WTC Stratcom

In April 2010, LTC David Haines (left) accepted the Warrior Transition Battalion’s flag from COL Ronald Place (right), MEDDAC Commander at Fort Knox’s Ireland Army Community Hospital. (Photo courtesy of Army.mil)

The Warrior Games are part of a major effort to inspire success, to capitalize on physical fitness, and to promote new opportunities for growth and achievement among the Army’s Warriors in Transition. In summary, the Warrior Games encourage ability over disability not just in the area of athletics, but in all areas of a Warrior in Transition’s life.

Ability comes in many different forms and for each Warrior Games participant, ability often reaches levels far beyond his or her immediate post-injury expectations. LTC David Haines, a Warrior Transition Brigade (WTB) Commander at Fort Knox, KY, is no exception. He said, “Training for the Warrior Games gave me very specific goals and objectives. I was missing this direction before. The Warrior Games provided me the motivation to get back into the shape I was in before I was injured.” Haines will be competing in this year’s Warrior Games 30K cycling event.

Haines enlisted in the Army in 1983 as an Armor Crewman and received a commission in 1991 as an Armor Officer. He served both as an active duty Soldier and as a National Guardsman with tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

In October 2006, while on a mounted patrol in Baghdad, Iraq, Haines was in a vehicle when it was hit by an Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP), causing severe injuries to his arm, hand, and leg, resulting in nerve damage. Three of his Soldiers were also injured and one died in the explosion. Returning to the United States, Haines received treatment at the Fort Knox WTB for approximately three years. Haines also received physical therapy and an opportunity to identify how to shape his life moving forward post-injury. Although these challenges changed the way Haines lives his life, they did not change the way he achieves his goals. For Haines, athletics became a motivator to reach other goals in life.

Sports have always been a favorite pastime for Haines. As a New England native, Haines participated in cold weather sports as a child. As he got older, however, he became passionate for road and mountain bike racing. Haines has competed at the amateur level and said returning to cycling was one of his major motivations during recovery and rehabilitation at the Fort Knox WTB. When asked why he was competing in the 2011 Warrior Games he responded, “I love to race bikes and hope to represent the Army and Warriors in Transition well. It is another milestone in my recovery.”

In order to prepare himself for the Warrior Games, Haines read Joe Friel’s “Training Bible for Cyclists” and used its best practices as a way to dedicate himself to training. Starting in December of 2010, he focused on achieving a competitive qualifying time for the games. He described his training as a series of “intense” workout sessions, five to six days a week, totalling to approximately 10-15 hours of training per week. In fact, in the process he lost 15 pounds. To compliment his training, Haines participated in the Ride2Recovery Texas Challenge, an organized bike ride from the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX to Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, to get, as Haines put it, “long intense days in the saddle.”

When asked what his major life achievements are he said, “Staying married for almost 22 years and having two great kids.” Haines was quick to add that his wife deserves most of the credit for both achievements. Athletically, Haines added that his first place finish at the Kansas State Category 5 Omnium Championship in 2004 and his second place finish in the 2005 Armed Forces Europe Mountain Bike Series, are among his top cycling achievements.

For the future, Haines plans to stay in the Army despite his eligibility to retire. Haines added that if he ever decides to leave the Army, there are two possibilities out there for him. Haines explained, “If I can make a living somewhere in the cycling industry or helping other wounded warriors, I am there!”

For more information on the 2011 Warrior Games please visit the Army Warrior Games Web page.

 

 

Swimming Competitor Prepares for Upcoming Warrior Games

Filed under Warrior Games by on April 22, 2011 at 11:01 am {2 comments}

By SSG Emily Anderson, WTC Stratcom

SGT James Arnold is one of 19 Warriors in Transition swimmers who will compete at the 2011 Warrior Games.

The light blue water splashes across U.S. Army SGT James Arnold’s face. He is almost there, only a few more meters. Leaving behind the scars and the pain, he is one with the water. This is his chance to prove that anything is possible.

“I love to swim and am very competitive,” said Arnold, of Chattanooga, TN, who injured his left leg while deployed to Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, and who is one of 19 Warriors in Transition preparing to head to Fort Carson, CO, to race in the upcoming swimming competition at the 2011 Warrior Games.

“I decided to compete to help raise awareness of the wounded warriors’ plight in mainstream America,” Arnold added. “I was thrilled to be invited to join the competition and am excited to compete with other Veterans.”

Arnold, who was recently treated through a Warrior Transition Unit and is assigned to the Tennessee National Guard’s 230th Sustainment Brigade, will compete in the 50-meter freestyle swim, 100-meter freestyle swim, and 30-kilometer cycling events. He has prepared for the competition by swimming daily for two hours at Chattanooga gyms and riding a stationary bike.

“Being with other wounded warriors will be a chance of a lifetime,” Arnold said. “I am hoping to win a gold medal.”

Holly Sisk, a performance enhancement specialist (PES) with the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness-Performance and Resilience Enhancement Program (CSF-PREP) at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, was selected as the swimming coach for the Warrior Games and has helped the swimming participants train for the event.

“I am very excited about the upcoming competition,” she said. “The Warrior Games is an excellent opportunity for warriors to overcome obstacles and focus on the things that they can do. It’s inspirational just to be a part of that.”

The Warrior Games are open to wounded servicemembers from all military branches who are still serving or have left the military and provide them an opportunity to compete against other wounded warriors.

“Warrior Games is an excellent opportunity to practice the mental, physical, and social skills that are needed to succeed in both sports and life,” Sisk said. “I want to do everything that I can to facilitate that for these warriors who deserve the best. I also want them to swim fast, win medals, and have fun.”

While working with the CSF-PREP, a program that provides a systematic way to build mental and emotional strength education methods from the fields of sport and performance psychology, Sisk has been able to become familiar with the swimming sport and plans to incorporate her swimming knowledge into helping warriors.

“I communicate with the team on a weekly basis and send them training goals, so that they are ready to compete,” Sisk added. “I have reached out to some other coaches for ideas and tips because I think it’s good to incorporate different ideas into the training goals.”

This year is the second year the Warrior Games will take place. The competition is a joint effort between the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Department of Defense.

“I am looking forward to meeting the warriors and helping to make life-long memories surrounding this competition,” Sisk said. “I’m focused on what the swimmers will gain from this experience.”

SGT James Arnold practices his swimming techniques for his upcoming competition at the Warrior Games.

Sisk, along with swimming participants in the Washington, DC, area, have been training every Tuesday for the swimming event at the Wilson Aquatic Center, Washington DC.

Although, Arnold is not in this area to train with his coach and other members of the Army swimming team, he continues to train with the support of his Family and friends.

“Knowing that my Family and friends are behind me 100 percent and that I am representing the Tennessee Army National Guard makes me proud,” Arnold said.

Motivated, Dedicated, and Inspired by Physical Fitness

Filed under Adaptive Sports, COAD/COAR, Warrior Games by on April 13, 2011 at 4:04 pm {no comments}

By Melvin Taylor, AW2 Advocate

SFC Landon Ranker is a Continuing on Active Duty (COAD) Soldier who applies motivation from physical fitness to his everyday professional life.

SFC Landon Ranker is a Continuing on Active Duty (COAD) Soldier with 19 years of service. During those years, Ranker has held several positions throughout his military career and has faced many challenges, including a traumatic brain injury (TBI) he sustained during deployment. Nevertheless, Ranker currently continues to serve in the Army as the Battalion Enhance Warrior Physical Training NCOIC at Fort Campbell, KY. Ranker finds this to be his most rewarding job and one that is fueled by motivation he finds in physical fitness.

As a role model, SFC Ranker believes strongly that every wounded warrior should be able to do physical training within the limits of his or her profile.  He is a leader that leads from the front when it comes to physical fitness and made this apparent during last year’s Warrior Games.  As a Warrior Games competitor, he brought home two gold medals and one silver medal, competing in three grueling events: 440 Meter Track Relay, 200 Meter Free Style Relay, and the 50 Meter Breast Stroke.  

Later this month, Ranker will compete in a cycling race in Franklin, TN, cycling 35 miles in preparation for the upcoming Warrior Games Ultimate Challenge in May. The Ultimate Challenge consists of five events, including cycling. Ranker hopes that this will get him one step closer to his goal to be a Warrior Games “Ultimate Champion.”

What inspires me about Ranker is that during all of his success and challenges, his TBI has not slowed him down at all. In fact, instead of seeing his TBI as an obstacle, Ranker sees it as a motivator to inspire himself to go the extra mile.  He is not ashamed of his injury and constantly reminds others that if he can go the extra mile—they can too.  This winter he plans to compete in an adaptive skiing program in Colorado and plans to continue demonstrating how athleticism can help motivate progress in other areas of his life.

Army Warrior Games Sitting Volleyball Team Hones Skills at San Antonio Clinic

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games by on April 4, 2011 at 12:31 pm {one comment}

By Erich Langer, WTC Public Affairs

After three 20-hour days of grueling drills and practice sessions, the Army Warrior Games sitting volleyball team had started coming together and playing as a cohesive unit. Athletic skills were clearly present when the team hooked up in San Antonio on Friday, but by Sunday the skills that had helped each Soldier make the squad were now being executed as a team–something that was lacking just a few days earlier.

“You’ve got to keep your mind in the game and always think of getting in position for the next shot,” said MSG James Mahan, Army Sitting Volleyball Coach. “It really is the difference in playing as a team or a bunch of individuals and the Army Sitting Volleyball Team is going to compete as a team not as 10 athletes. To excel in this sport you’ve got to set, attack the ball and have the confidence in your teammates to back you up and be in position for the next shot.”

At the 2010 Warrior Games, Mahan didn’t know much about sitting volleyball. The Ft. Hood Warrior Transition unit (WTU) 1SG was working at the inaugural Games as a member of the Army’s cadre supporting competition operations and logistics. The 20-year Veteran, who will retire later this month, jumped in with both feet when asked to assist with the Army’s Sitting Volleyball Team. He Googled sitting volleyball and began to read and learn all he could about the sport. Less than a year later, Mahan is leading the Army Sitting Volleyball Team to the 2011 Warrior Games hosted by the United States Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs on May 16-21, 2011.

The Warrior Games is an athletic competition that features more than 220 Army, Marine Corps, Navy-Coast Guard, Air Force and Special Operations wounded warrior athletes competing against each other in sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, track and field, archery, shooting, swimming, cycling and ultimate champion events.

The San Antonio clinic was hosted at the Jimmy Brought Fitness Center at the former Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and at St. Mary’s Hall, a local college prep school. In addition to playing, scrimmaging and practicing against each other, the team also played against the U.S. Paralympic Volleyball Team’s development squad. A team comprised of numerous military and former military sitting volleyball players that are trying to earn spots on the U.S. Paralympic Team that will compete in London in 2012.

“We got some great playing time in over the past few days and the competitiveness and our skills improved as we all worked together,” said SPC Peter Danielson, Southern Regional Medical Command, Ft. Benning Ga. The former high school football big man has adapted well to playing sitting volleyball and smoothly moves his ‘big boned’ frame across the volleyball court.

“I was pretty fast for a 300 pound offensive lineman,” he said with a nostalgic chuckle as he thought about those varsity days on the gridiron. “I ran the 40 [yard dash] in 5.0 seconds and had a full-ride scholarship to play football at Rutgers. Unfortunately, I blew out my knee in a game during my senior year. It filled with fluid and by the time I walked off the field my knee was twice its normal size; and that was pretty much it for me as a football player.”

In addition to being quick on his butt during the clinic’s agility drills, Danielson has excellent hand/eye coordination that he uses to set and finish points. An unselfish player, he frequently is making the plays that other players complete. “That’s what it is all about,” he said. You do what you need to do to win. I was telling the team earlier this afternoon that teams play like they practice so practice really is important to being successful when you are competing.”

The team’s other leading big man is the always smiling and good natured SGT Giovonttie Mclemore, Southern Regional Medical Command, Ft. Gordon, Ga. An above knee amputee who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident, he works hard to cover his ground on the volleyball court but is a force to be reckoned with when he is at the net blocking or attacking.

“I like sitting volleyball and feel good about my improvement,” said the 10-year Soldier who wants to stay in the Army. “I want to go COAD (Continue on Active Duty) and complete my Army career. I’m a 25 B Signal guy and if I can go back to my old job I’ll do it or learn a new MOS (Military Occupational Skill), it really doesn’t matter to me I just want to be a Soldier.”

Mclemore has attended several clinics including one in Rhode Island that got him excited about playing sitting volleyball. “At Ft. Gordon we have a bunch of really good athletes in the WTU. At the 2010 Warrior Games we didn’t have much representation but this year several of our WTU Soldiers will be competing. I think the Army will be surprised at how good our Ft. Gordon athletes are and we’ll make a good showing this year at the Games.”

Mclemore and his teammates said their farewells on Sunday afternoon following two wins against the Paralympic development squad and two local junior teams. The Army team members will be practicing on their own for the next month or so before coming together again at Ft. Carson in early May for a final clinic that will lead up to the Games.

Sitting Volleyball Warrior Games Athletes Train in San Antonio

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games by on April 3, 2011 at 2:13 pm {no comments}

By Erich Langer, WTC Stratcom

Ten Army wounded warrior athletes selected to the Army’s Warrior Games team are competing in an elite clinic hosted at the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), formerly known as Brooke Army Medical Center, this weekend. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Soldiers and Veterans as well as Warrior Transition Unit Soldiers are receiving coaching and instruction from some of the world’s best sitting volleyball and U.S. Paralympic program coaches.

“We’re glad you are here and ready to practice, practice, and practice some more,” said Elliott Blake U.S. Army Volleyball Coach and U.S. Paralympic Coach. “Look around you. These are your teammates for the Warrior Games. Most of you were at our clinic in January in Oklahoma but you’ll notice there are only 10 of you from the large group of athletes who wanted to be here. Congratulations but you’ve got a lot of work to do over the next few days to further refine your skills.”

The Warrior Games is an athletic competition hosted by the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Paralympic Program. More than 220 Army, Marine Corps, Navy-Coast Guard, Air Force and Special Operations Soldiers will compete against each other in numerous sports at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO May 16-21, 2011 as part of the second Warrior Games competition to be held. In addition to the Department of Defense, several other organizations are working together to make the Games possible. The United Services Organization (USO), Ride 2 Recovery and corporate partners are teaming to make the athletic events special for all participating athletes.

Coach Blake was correct. Following today’s first day of training it was evident that the Army athletes were leaving it all on the floor. A couple needed an extra break and lots of water. “You just can’t drink enough water, your body needs it and the heat in San Antonio might be more that you are acclimated to.”

Correct again. Sunny San Antonio’s temperature reached 91 Fahrenheit. and the heat conditions inside SAMMC’s Jimmy Brought Fitness Center easily approached 100 Fahrenheit.

With Army athletes coming from as far as Fort Drum, NY where snowmen and igloos are likely the prevalent features this time of year, the weather is an adjustment. SSG Christian Hughes from Northern Regional Medical Command in Fort Drum likes the weather and isn’t complaining about experiencing spring earlier than normal—conditions like those he is experiencing in Texas are still months away, up north

In the 2010 inaugural Warrior Games, the Army Sitting Volleyball Team reached the championship game but lost in a nail-biter to the Marines. Coaches and players vow not to let that happen again in May.

“It really makes me train harder knowing we lost to the Marines last year,” said SPC Robert Nuss, Southern Regional Medical Command, Fort Benning, GA. “I’m a very competitive person and train hard for everything I do, so it only makes me train harder so we can go out and beat those guys!” Nuss knows what it is like to compete at Warrior Games. In 2010, he competed in Sitting Volleyball and several track events and was a near medalist for the Warrior Games top prize, Ultimate Champion.

This year he will compete in several track events and sitting volleyball. His training routine is high paced and includes running six days a week, biking four or five days a week as well as several days of weight training. “I stay motivated and keep my edge by eating the right foods and following my training regime. If I don’t feel like training one day, I tell myself that my competitors are out there training and if I don’t train, too, I’ll lose my edge. I can’t let that happen.”

Nuss’ experience and training excellence should serve him and his Army Warrior Games teammates well in Colorado.

After Day One, of repetitive drills, technical lessons, scrimmages, and coaches’ chalk talk sessions with the team by Blake and fellow coach Rik Mullane, everyone was getting into the groove. Their faces told their story best. They were tired with sore butts, backs, and arms—even though some were too proud to admit it.

“Hey, gather around,” said Blake as he quickly tracked down some ‘runaway’ balls that were afoot. “You’ve got to get serous here, I want to see the intensity that I know each and every one of you have. The thing is, I have you for a total of 19 hours of training at our clinic. Athletes on the U.S. Paralympic Sitting Volleyball Team intensely train for hundreds and hundreds of hours each year. I wish we had more time but we don’t. We’ve got to get the fundamentals right and use all of our time wisely.”

The camp will continue over the weekend with more training, drills and additional scrimmages and games with elite teams. Blake did his homework and set up games and joint training sessions with additional athletes that are training and competing for slots on the U.S. Paralympic team. “In sitting volleyball and other sports you rise to the level of the competition and the Army Team practicing and competing against other sitting volleyball players will be very beneficial.”

Army Sitting Volleyball Team athletes preparing for Warrior Games in San Antonio include:

SPC Peter Danielson, SRMC/Benning
SSG Christian Hughes, NRMC/Drum
SPC Robert Nuss, SRMC/Benning
SGT Ruben Pedro, SRMC/Gordon
SPC Zachariah Smith, SRMC/Stewart
Retired SGT Margaux Vair, Veteran
SGT Illja Zafiroski, SRMC/Benning
SPC Jose Alfaro, SRMC/SAMMC
SGT Giovonttie McLemore, SRMC/SAMMC
SPC Damion Peyton, SRMC/Gordon

In addition to sitting volleyball, Army wounded warrior athletes will compete in track and field, swimming, shooting, archery, cycling, wheelchair basketball and the ultimate warrior competition.

Army Announces 2011 Army Warrior Games Team

Filed under Warrior Games by on February 18, 2011 at 4:28 pm {no comments}

Warrior Games Logo

By Erich Langer, WTC Stratcom

The U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command (WTC) announced the selection of wounded warrior athletes that will represent the Army at the 2011 Warrior Games.  The Army team consists of active and reserve component Soldiers stationed in commands around the world as well as Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Soldiers and Veterans.

The competition, which is a joint effort between the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Department of Defense, will take place May 16-21, 2011, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO.  The second annual Warrior Games will feature 200 wounded, ill, and injured servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces.  Competitors will compete in several sports including shooting, swimming, archery, track and field, cycling, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball.

“Working with the USOC team for the benefit of our Army athletes is truly inspiring,” said BG Darryl Williams, WTC Commanding General. “Warrior Games 2010 was an overwhelming success for athletes, Families, and spectators.  I am excited for the opportunity our Army team will have to compete and win at the USOC National Training Center in May.  I am confident that the memories our athletes will make will be carried with them for a lifetime.”

The concept for Warrior Games was conceived in 2009 with inspiration from former WTC Commander BG Gary Cheek, USOC, United Services Organization, and Ride 2 Recovery with the goal of empowering wounded warriors to use adaptive sports to accelerate the healing and rehabilitation process.

“Warrior Games has proven to be a galvanizing effort that has helped Warrior Transition Unit Soldiers and AW2 Veterans get excited and motivated about participating and competing in sports,” said MSG James Shiver, WTC non-commissioned Officer-in-Charge of Adaptive Sports. “Physical activity has been proven to be important in mental and physical well-being; and, if we can help facilitate Soldiers getting off the couch and away from video games and other sedentary activities, everyone will benefit.” (more…)

Army Wounded Warrior Athletes Aim to Dominate Shooting Competition at Warrior Games 2011

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games, Warrior Transition Command, WTU/WTB by on February 1, 2011 at 8:43 am {2 comments}

By Erich Langer, WTC Stratcom

PFC Latoya McClain takes a shot during a shooting clinic at the Army Marksmanship Unit

Last week, Army wounded warrior marksmen took aim at becoming members of the Army’s 2011 Warrior Games team at a special shooting clinic conducted by the elite Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU). Throughout the week, warrior athletes learned shooting skills and techniques from some of the world’s finest instructors and shooters; AMU cadre include Olympic champions, world champions, and U.S. national champions who have responsibilities of training Soldiers and competing in world-class venues that highlight the Army’s expertise in all things shooting.

In both civilian and military marksmanship circles the AMU is recognized as the very best of the very best or “‘gold standard”–similar to the Army Golden Knights, Air Force Thunderbirds, or Navy Blue Angels.

In 2010, Army athletes took nearly every gold medal and the lion’s share of silver and bronze medals in numerous Warrior Games shooting events.  Building on that success will be difficult but with training, instruction, and mentorship from the AMU, MSG James Shiver, Warrior Transition Command (WTC) Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge of Adaptive Sports, believes the Army is raising the bar.

“The Army Marksmanship Unit has been extremely supportive of our Warrior Games shooters,” said Shiver. “In 2010, they hosted clinics and sent coaches and support staff to the Games. This year they are building on that even more. It is awe inspiring, quite frankly jaw dropping for our athletes to have this opportunity to learn from these outstanding shooters. I hope each will seize this opportunity and, hopefully, by working hard this week, we’ll ultimately improve on last year’s success against the other services.”

The second annual Warrior Games, scheduled for May 16-21, 2011, at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO, will feature 200 wounded, ill, and injured servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces. Competitors will compete in several sports including shooting, swimming, archery, track and field, cycling, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball.

One of the youngest prospects for the Warrior Games shooting team is PFC Latoya McClain from the Fort Bliss Warrior Transition Unit (WTU).  The South Carolina native was conducting physical training in stifling 125 degree weather in Kirkuk, Iraq, when she suffered a heat stroke that nearly killed her on May 31, 2010. Fortunately an Army medic was nearby to render prompt medical assistance.  Initially confined to a wheelchair as she learned to walk again, her recovery has included stints in Army hospitals in Balad, Iraq, Germany, and Texas. 

McClain’s focus on succeeding in this year’s Warrior Games is evident in her captivating smile and positive attitude.  “I never shot a weapon before basic training,” she said. “I kept messing up when it came to shooting, but my drill sergeant and the trainers were patient and worked with me. I paid attention and got better. I shot sharpshooter at Basic Training and then expert at AIT [Advanced Individual Training]. Shooting is fun and I really like the sport and I think I’m pretty good at it. I think the reason I do so well is that I follow instructions and do what I’m told.”

Her hard work and commitment to excel has paid off as McClain earned a silver medal during the clinic’s rifle competition shoot off. McClain wants to round out her stay in the Army and is looking at future options that will allow her to finish her education and possibly work in the medical field. She represents the many wounded warriors who have applied their diligence in athletics to other areas of their lives in order to achieve a successful transition post injury.  

Medalists in the AMU shooting clinic were

10-Meter Pistol

SSG Michael Strong, Fort Gordon WTU – Gold
SGT Erin Bell, Fort Knox WTU – Silver
SFC Benjamin Trescott, Fort Jackson WTU – Bronze

10-Meter Rifle

SSG Kory Irish, Fort Drum WTU – Gold
PFC Latoya McClain, Fort Bliss WTU – Silver
SFC Benjamin Trescott, Fort Jackson WTU – Bronze

Army Wounded Warrior Athletes Train with U.S. Paralympic Sitting Volleyball Coaches and Team Members in Oklahoma

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games by on January 10, 2011 at 5:59 pm {no comments}

By Erich Langer, WTC Stratcom 

SFC Chris Livesay, Fort Carson, CO, practices hitting a volleyball with other wounded warrior athletes during a sitting volleball training clinic held at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Thirty wounded warriors from Army commands as far as Hawaii and Europe descended on a small bedroom community north of Oklahoma City, OK, this past weekend to hone their sitting volleyball skills. These wounded warriors included military police officers, engineers, rangers, 88 M truck drivers, and three Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Veterans. Supported by coaches and members of the U.S. Paralympic Volleyball team, these athletes trained to get one step closer to the 2011 Warrior Games.

The second annual 2011 Warrior Games, scheduled for May 16–21, 2011, at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO, will bring 200 wounded, ill, and injured service members from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces together in athletic competition. Athletes will compete in several sports including shooting, swimming, archery, track and field, cycling, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball.

In 2010, the Army sitting volleyball Warrior Games team took home the silver medal after being defeated by the Marines. This inspired SGT Cayle Foidel, a 2010 Warrior Games gold medalist and newcomer to sitting volleyball, to train for the 2011 Army sitting volleyball Warrior Games team. Foidel explained, “We all feel we need to get better and are committed to doing so. We’ve trained hard this week and I used muscles I didn’t even know I had. My butt really hurts!” 

MSG James Shiver, Warrior Transition Command (WTC) Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge of Adaptive Sports, explained the WTC’s collaboration with other organizations to make the event possible.  “WTC is working closely with our University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) partners to coach, train, and select the Army’s 2011 Warrior Games team. We’re really excited to have the opportunity to team with UCO and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committees to prepare our athletes for competition against the Marines, Navy, and Air Force teams.” 

Elliott Blake, UCO sitting volleyball coordinator, was responsible for the training regime, schedule, and further development of the athletes into cohesive team players. During orientation, Blake set the tone for the week by telling the athletes, “We’re going to work you hard and we don’t want excuses. We won’t tolerate tardiness and following instructions is key to your success at this week’s clinic. The more athletes follow our instructions, the more they will learn and progress, and ultimately improve their chances of making the Army team.” 

Wounded warrior athletes welcomed the intense training. SPC Robert Nuss, Fort Benning Warrior Transition Unit (WTU), said concerning the training, “I am learning a lot of new skills here and it’s great to get this opportunity to train with the Paralympic coaches and players. I went to Warrior Games last year and placed second in the Chairman’s Cup, and I am very excited about the opportunity to go back in 2011.” 

Although SPC Damion Peyton, Fort Gordon, GA, didn’t make the team in 2010, he agreed with Nuss about the clinic. “Practice has been a bit much and the training has been very extreme, but the clinic is a great method to determine the best Soldiers for the team.” 

Another newcomer to Warrior Games training and sitting volleyball is AW2 Veteran Margaux Vair who played various sports throughout high school and joined the military to compete on the Army Women’s Soccer Team. “I played traditional volleyball in high school in Colorado, but sitting volleyball is really different,” she said. “It’s all upper body work and I’ve got blisters on my thumbs, my hands are sore, and my butt really hurts. It looks easy as folks slide around on the floor, but it really is deceptive on how hard you’re working out there.” 

Shiver, who coordinated the sitting volleyball clinic, also set up last month’s wheelchair basketball clinic and this month’s upcoming shooting clinic with the Army’s Marksmanship School at Fort Benning, believes all the training will pay off. He stated, “Yes, our goal is to win Warrior Games and we are committed to train and field the best team we can. However, I want to get all 10,000 Soldiers in our WTUs involved in sports and recreation. If you get people involved in sports, it will spill over and get other people motivated in pursuing education, rehabilitation, and other areas.” 

Shiver encouraged all wounded, ill, and injured athletes that want to compete in the 2011 Warrior Games to contact their chain of command and submit a nomination packet. Nominations are due no later than February 1, 2011. Packets will be evaluated by WTC and the Army team will be announced on February 15, 2011.

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Warriors in Transition can submit a blog by e-mailing WarriorCareCommunications [at] conus.army.mil.