Stories

“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.

“Adaptive Sports made me better than I ever was.” ~ Sgt. Lydia Figary, Team U.S.
February 14, 2025 — Retired Marine Corps Sgt. Lydia Figary, a lifelong adrenaline junkie, had her life changed by a night jump accident in July 2022, which resulted in a traumatic brain injury and severe leg injury. After four surgeries and discovering adaptive sports in a Marine recovery program, she not only recovered but thrived, winning gold in swimming at the Warrior Games. Now, competing in the Winter Invictus Games in Vancouver, Figary credits adaptive sports for her transformation, emphasizing their importance in recovery and the support from fellow athletes. She continues to inspire and motivate others, recently winning silver in women's snowboarding and advocating for public support of the Invictus Games... MORE

Marine Corps Sgt. Lydia Figary wins silver in women’s snowboarding at the 2025 Winter Invictus Games at Whistler/Vancouver, Canada.

Teaching Soldiers how to DJ is a hit!
February 14, 2025 — At Joint Base Lewis McChord's Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU), the Career, Education, and Readiness tool offers unique opportunities, such as DJing classes led by recreational specialist and former JBLM SRU Soldier Dave Iuli. These classes help soldiers like retired Army Spc. Gerald Blakley and Spc. Jamal Morris focus on something other than their recovery, learning a new skill that can turn into a career or a fulfilling hobby. Iuli, a DJ himself, finds passion and therapeutic value in music, and he shares this with soldiers, who gain both technical knowledge and a creative outlet. This initiative showcases the SRU's innovative approach to supporting soldiers' recovery and future opportunities... MORE

Army Spc. Gerald Blakley in the DJ class at JBLM’s Soldier Recovery Unit.

I AM Not Done Yet.
February 6, 2025 — Retired Army CW5 Bruce McCormick, now 61, is living a childhood dream by competing in the inaugural Winter Invictus Games in Vancouver from February 8-16. After a helicopter accident in 2005 left him with a crushed right ankle, McCormick turned to adaptive sports during his recovery at Fort Carson and Fort Moore. Competing in Alpine Skiing, rowing, and swimming, he emphasizes the importance of adaptive sports in his recovery and shares his journey to inspire others facing life-changing injuries or illnesses. McCormick's participation in the Winter Invictus Games represents his message of resilience: "I am not done yet," and he encourages others to explore adaptive sports for their recovery... MORE

Ret Army CW5 Bruce McCormick shares with the Team that he is NOT done yet and will prove it while competing on Team US at the 2025 Winter Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada, from February 8 to 16.

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