Stories

Cancer diagnosis won’t keep this Soldier down.
April 25, 2025 — Staff Sgt. Coty Tuck never dreamed he would need a Soldier Recovery Unit, let alone be representing the Army at the upcoming Warrior Games this July in Colorado Springs. “It was a rush of great feelings finding out I was selected to be a member of Team Army! Thinking back to when I first heard about the games, I never believed I would be where I am now,” said Tuck who just competed at Army Trials on Fort Bliss Texas with over 60 other wounded, ill or injured Soldier Athletes for a spot on Team Army... MORE

Staff Sgt. Coty Tuck during wheelchair rugby drills at the 2025 Army Trials on Fort Bliss, Texas, April 3, 2025.

“This is the beginning of my forever and my new journey” ~ Sgt. 1st Class Valerie Watkins
April 25, 2025 — Sgt. 1st Class Valerie Watkins is excited after spending ten days on Fort Bliss, Texas, competing in the Army Trials. She learned this week that she made the team to represent the Army at the 2025 Department of Defense Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, July 18- 26... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Valerie Watkins prepares to shoot her compound bow during the archery competition at the 2025 Army Trials, Fort Bliss, Texas, April 7, 2025.

The SRU is, hands down, the best thing ever!
April 22, 2025 — After tearing her labrum on her last deployment, Maj. Amy Sparks (a mother of seven) had to finally sit down and take care of herself. “Having to stop is painful as the mom in me reminds me I take care of everyone else and don't take care of myself, but that had to change,” said Maj. Sparks. The Fort Bragg SRU Soldier in Recovery was about to find out that there were easier ways for her to heal while focusing on herself. ... MORE

The Sparks family, minus their two oldest daughters, just before Maj. Amy Sparks’ last deployment.

“God put me here to make a difference” ~ MSG Earlie Brown
March 6, 2025 — Master Sgt. Earlie Brown, with nearly 25 years of Army service, is set to retire medically but aims to secure a spot on Team Army at the upcoming Army Trials in Fort Bliss, Texas. After a severe eye infection during deployment brought him to the Walter Reed Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in January 2024, Brown found solace and recovery through adaptive sports. Despite initial struggles with his condition and emotions, he embraced activities like rowing, archery, air rifle, and wheelchair basketball, which restored his focus and confidence. Brown believes in the power of teamwork and mentorship, and he hopes to continue supporting Soldiers after his retirement, inspired by his faith and personal experiences... MORE

Master Sgt. Earlie Brown during sitting volleyball practice at an adaptive sports camp.

It’s more than just colored glass
March 6, 2025 — Soldiers at the Fort Cavazos Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) participated in a glass blowing event as part of their healing journey, organized by Adaptive Reconditioning Specialist Natalie Sanderson in Waco, Texas. The activity aimed to provide respite from daily routines and introduce Soldiers to new skills and experiences. Sgt 1st Class Robert Oliveras, recovering from a head and hip injury, found the event engaging and therapeutic. He highlighted the variety of programs at the SRU that help distract from pain and promote recovery. Sanderson emphasized the importance of community partnerships in offering such events. Oliveras shared his positive experiences and encouraged fellow Soldiers to seek help and participate in recovery activities... MORE

Samples of the glass blowing work at an adaptive reconditioning outing for Soldiers at the Fort Cavazos Soldier Recover Unit.

When you’ve been in someone else’s shoes
March 6, 2025 — After witnessing the events of September 11, 2001, Misty Barr felt compelled to join the Army and support Soldiers. During her time in the Army, she met her future husband and discovered her passion for helping Soldiers. Now, as a Transition Coordinator at the Fort Campbell Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU), she uses her experiences as a former Soldier, military spouse, and SRU member to connect with and assist Soldiers and their families. Barr emphasizes the importance of building relationships to provide effective support and help Soldiers transition smoothly. Her personal experiences, including her husband's combat wounds, enable her to empathize with and assist military families, making her an invaluable resource for Soldiers navigating their futures... MORE

Retired Army Staff Sgt Misty Barr is a Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Soldier Recovery Unit Transition Coordinator.

“We were not meant to be alone” ~ Army Chaplain Joseph Hatcher
February 19, 2025 — A comprehensive recovery plan for Soldiers in a Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) includes six pillars: career, physical, social, family, emotional, and spiritual. Chaplain Joseph Hatcher of the Joint Base San Antonio SRU emphasizes the importance of spiritual fitness for recovery, highlighting resources like the FM 7-22 holistic health and fitness manual. He partners with other SRUs and services to create a supportive community, as healing happens collectively. Army Master Sgt. Aaron Frederick, recovering from a parachuting accident, credits his wife and the SRU for his progress. Hatcher coordinates events, such as a trip to San Antonio's caverns, to include spouses in the spiritual fitness journey. He encourages Soldiers to seek help and work on their spiritual fitness, stressing that recovery is a community effort... MORE

JBSA and Fort Cavazos SRUs executed a joint spiritual fitness event that assisted Soldiers in their recovery

Team U.S. member breaks down what adaptive sports do
February 14, 2025 — The first Invictus Winter Games, a Paralympic-style competition for military service members, will be held in Whistler, Vancouver, from Feb 8-16. Army Master Sgt. Mike Haley of SOCOM, competing in biathlon, rowing, swimming, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair basketball, shared his journey from a spinal cord injury and broken femur to excelling in adaptive sports. After a severe landing accident in July 2021, Haley recovered through adaptive sports at the Fort Stewart Soldier Recovery Unit, winning medals in various events. He emphasizes the importance of adaptive sports for emotional support and recovery and looks forward to competing against international teams, despite his limited experience with winter sports... MORE

Army Master Sgt Michael Haley wins gold in the men’s biathlon at the 2025 Winter Invictus Games at Whistler/Vancouver, Canada.

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