Stories

Soldier: A life-long commitment
April 1, 2023 — Sentimentally called ‘the family business,’ the rare few who raise their right hand to protect the nation against all enemies foreign and domestic have an intimate understanding of what it means to serve in the Army. They have experienced an organization that gives them values, a creed, a life-long commitment, and a sense of belonging... MORE

U.S. Army coach Ross Alewine, left, shows Staff Sgt. Bill Anderson some shot put techniques during training at the U.S. Army Adaptive Sports Camp at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 30, 2023. Over 70 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers are training in a series of athletic events including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, powerlifting, track, field, rowing, and wheelchair basketball. The Adaptive Sports Camp celebrates wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers' ability to recover and overcome. The Army holds qualifying trials for Active Duty, wounded, ill or injured Soldiers to assess and select athletes for competition in the Warrior Games Challenge. This year, the Warrior Games Challenge takes place in June 2023 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. (DoD photo by Robert A. Whetstone)

Evolution of wounded warriors
March 31, 2023 — North Carolina (March 31, 2023) -- At the height of the global war on terrorism, many U.S. service members suffered very visible, life-changing, physical combat wounds and injuries. Since the end of the wars, the majority of new wounded warriors now suffer ‘wounds’ that are not obvious to the naked eye. ... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Gabrielle Cales throws the shot while training during the U.S. Army Adaptive Sports Camp at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 30, 2023. Over 70 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers are training in a series of athletic events including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, powerlifting, track, field, rowing, and wheelchair basketball. The Adaptive Sports Camp celebrates wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers' ability to recover and overcome. The Army holds qualifying trials for Active Duty, wounded, ill or injured Soldiers to assess and select athletes for competition in the Warrior Games Challenge. This year, the Warrior Games Challenge takes place in June 2023 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. (DoD photo by Robert A. Whetstone)

The Final Product Isn’t Always the Art
March 30, 2023 — Art isn’t perfection it’s expression. Teresa Kramer works with Soldiers who are wounded, ill or injured on a variety of adaptive reconditioning events including art classes... MORE

(Photo courtesy Teresa Kramer) Soldiers and Cadre paint on canvas at an art class at the Fort Drum SRU

“If your mental health isn’t good, nothing else will be.”
March 22, 2023 — Soldiers are tough, no doubt. There is a perception that comes with being in the Army, that also includes strong, independent, protective Americans who get things done. Staff Sgt. Fevee Fontejon fit the mold of a Soldier for ten years, then reality set in. She wants her journey to be a lesson for anyone suffering, especially with mental health issues. “It’s ok to ask for help and take a knee. This does not signify that you are weak,” said the thirty- year- old licensed practical nurse specialist. Twice stationed in Korea, then Germany, Fontejon eventually suffered from PTSD... MORE

(Photo courtesy Fevee Fotejon) SSG Fevee Fontejon loved every aspect of equine therapy. From riding to the detailed process of taking care of horses, it was one of her favorite activities she said.

Soldier is Cooking up a Great Future After the Army
March 21, 2023 — Spending seventeen years of his life in the Army, both Active Duty and Army National Guard, kept Sgt. Michael Johnson in line with his plan as a career Soldier. Yet, as everyone knows, plans can change in the blink of an eye as did Johnson’s in July of 2020. This is a story about cooking but the ingredients to get there may surprise you. It all started with a fall... MORE

(Photo courtesy Paloma Martinez, Kitchen of Purpose) Sgt. Michael Johnson whips up eggs benedict at the Kitchen of Purpose program.

U.S. Army Recovery Care Program Announces 2023 Adaptive Sports Camp at Fort Bragg
March 10, 2023 — ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA. – U.S. Army Recovery Care Program, host of the U.S. Army Trials, will introduce the Adaptive Sports Camp, 28 March - 06 April, taking place at Fort Bragg, N.C. Wounded, ill and injured Soldiers will compete for the opportunity to attend the 2023 Warrior Games Challenge hosted by the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command in June 2023 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, Calif... MORE

SSG (R) Jason Smith plays the adaptive sport of wheelchair rugby on Team Army.

I want to do more so I can be ready.
March 7, 2023 — Since he was in the fifth grade, Spc. Matthew Peite knew he wanted to be in the military. He had big dreams to get out of his small town and see the world... MORE

(Photo courtesy Spc. Matthew Peite) Spc. Peite learning how to wake surf!

Getting out of your head by getting out of the barracks
March 3, 2023 — Cpl. (Ret.) Joshua Justice always knew a life in the Army was for him until it wasn’t. A previous knee injury prior to enlisting reared its ugly head while on a deployment to the US-Mexico border at his 11th year of serving. “I got deployed as an MP [Military Police] with the National Guard down to the Mexico border to support our border patrol. One day in 2020 when I was coming off a shift, I just felt my ACL explode.” That previously repaired knee injury suffered further wear and tear with deployments and relocation... MORE

(Photo courtesy Ariel Baily) Cpl. (R) Joshua Justice participates in Adaptive Golf at the Ft. Stewart Soldier Recovery Unit.

Safety is the Way to Roll in Wheelchair Rugby
March 2, 2023 — FORT BELVOIR, VA - Wheelchair rugby is beyond fascinating to watch. The hits, the speed and the scoring are sure to make any fan cheer. The crème de le crème of adaptive team sports has come under fire for being too rough but at an adaptive sports camp, coaches hope to educate and incorporate common sense rules and injury prevention techniques... MORE

Assistant Wheelchair Rugby Coach Ross Alewine shows Spc. Colin Matthews a blocking technique for safety at the goal line.

Soldiers and Cadre Discover Benefits of Wheelchair Rugby
March 1, 2023 — Sgt. Finlahy Cortez-Powers never imagined playing wheelchair rugby. The Mortuary Affairs Specialist was introduced to adaptive sports last fall at the Fort Benning Soldier Recovery (SRU) unit after a back injury... MORE

(Photo by MaryTherese Griffin) Captain Jessica Campion and Sgt Finlahy Cortez-Powers in a scrimmage at wheelchair rugby camp.