Stories

Tag: Gallery

Soldiers tackle ‘challenges’ of Warrior Games Challenge
June 9, 2023 — Team Army rolled their way onto Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California, for the DoD Warrior Games Challenge, currently being conducted June 2 – 12, 2023. ... MORE

Photo By Spc. William Gore | U.S. Army Staff. Sgt Jewel Lewis, left, Spc. Davona Jones, center, and Capt. Anna Walker, middle-right, compete in the track event June 6, 2023 during the Department of Defense Warrior Games Challenge. The Games are taking place at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California, June 2 - 12. More than 200 wounded, ill, or injured warrior athletes representing the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Command are competing in 11 adaptive sports including archery, track, field, swimming, rowing, shooting, powerlifting, cycling, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair rugby. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Gore)

Take a risk and embrace imperfection!
June 5, 2023 — Team Army athlete Sgt. Shawn Lee openly admits he’s a bit of a risk taker, and that’s a good thing. “You must be a risk taker,” said the infantryman. I took a risk with adaptive sports and am doing things I never would have done in my life, and for me it is life changing.”... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Shawn Lee celebrates after a successful repetition in the powerlifting event, June 3, 2023, during the Department of Defense Warrior Games Challenge. The Games are taking place at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California, June 2 - 12, 2023. More than 200 wounded, ill, or injured warrior athletes representing the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Command are competing in 11 adaptive sports including archery, track, field, swimming, rowing, shooting, powerlifting, cycling, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair rugby. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hopper)

Second cancer diagnosis doesn’t stop Soldier from competing at Warrior Games Challenge
June 2, 2023 — When faced with a second cancer diagnosis in eight years, Sgt. Dalton Apodaca says his faith is guiding him through once again. “A man will pick his path, but God will direct his steps,” he said with confidence... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Dalton Apodaca smiles during an interview at the 2023 Warrior Games Challenge, June 1, in San Diego, California. (DoD photo by MaryTherese Griffin)

Injured Soldier says trying new things helped keep his sanity
May 17, 2023 — One doesn’t think knitting is something a Soldier does, but they don’t know Staff Sgt. Brent Fox of our Fort Campbell Soldier Recovery Unit. He is a Soldier through and through, athletic and always busy. And for the record knitting was not part of his life until recent months. A traffic accident at Fort Bliss on his birthday October 17, 2021, changed his life forever... MORE

Staff Sgt. Brent Fox’s knitting creation of bracelets.

Medical Board process ends favorably for JBLM SRU Soldier
May 16, 2023 — No Soldier wants to hear they are being medically retired or med-boarded. There is often the notion that if you are a wounded, ill or injured Soldier and a med-board is underway, your career is automatically over. Not true. Master Sgt. Christopher Diaz-Rose is living proof... MORE

Master Sgt. Christopher Diaz-Rose) Master Sgt. Diaz-Rose on his last spur ride in Korea three months before his transfer to the JBLM Soldier Recovery Unit.

“To know that I still have that much competitiveness and ability makes me feel good.”
April 20, 2023 — Sgt. Carl Judd deployed as part of the crew to shut down military operations in Afghanistan... MORE

(Photo by Spc. Robert Regan) Sgt. Carl Judd smiles after the first round of air rifle competition at the 2023 Army Adaptive Sports Camp at Fort Bragg NC.

Team Army Member says going to the SRU wasn’t the end… it was just the beginning
April 20, 2023 — As an Army Medic, Staff Sgt. Jewel Lewis saw a lot. Her scenery changed last October when she was assigned to the Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in San Antonio, Texas after medical issues including a PTSD diagnosis. ... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jewel Lewis practices rowing during the U.S. Army Adaptive Sports Camp at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, April 05. 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. (U.S. Army photo by Spc Mark Davis)

In the Army Recovery Care Program, You Have One Job
April 18, 2023 — In the Army Recovery Care Program, Soldiers have one job…to get better... MORE

(Photo courtesy Capt. Veronica Jones) Capt. Veronica Jones Pilots her Lakota Helicopter in the National Guard.

“If people say you can’t do something, prove them wrong and just do it!”
April 17, 2023 — After a class on Fort Bragg in January of 2021, Spc. Patricia Schjoth, a wheeled vehicle mechanic, crossed the street to go back to her shop and continue working. She was hit by a car and had a broken ankle, leg, and shoulder plus severe head trauma. “I don’t even remember getting hit by a car,” said the 22-year-old from Michigan. “I had head surgery. They removed my skull on the left side because of the swelling inside,” said Schjoth. She had to learn basic things all over again, starting with speech... MORE

Coach Spencer Tyler instructs Spc Patricia Schjoth in power lifting at the 2023 Army Adaptive Sports Camp at Fort Bragg NC.

Adaptive Sports Transforms Soldiers
April 14, 2023 — To “adapt” means to make something suitable for a new use or purpose or to become adjusted to new conditions. Soldiers in the Army Recovery Care Program learn to adapt every day, especially through adaptive sports... MORE

(Photo by MaryTherese Griffin) Spc. Ethan Barrera shoots an arrow with his mouth. He learned this adaptation to archery at Army Adaptive Sports Camp.

The Army Recovery Care Program Announces Team Army for the 2023 Department of Defense Warrior Games Challenge in June
April 13, 2023 — The Army Recovery Care Program is proud to announce the members of Team Army, who will compete at the 2023 Department of Defense Warrior Games Challenge in San Diego, Calif., June 2 - 12 at Naval Air Station North Island... MORE

Army Colonel with breast cancer says it’s ok to take a knee
April 5, 2023 — Col Theresa Lewis, a registered nurse in the army, spent the last 29 years taking care of Soldiers. “I was a private at Fort Stewart and my dream was to return to Fort Stewart to retire there.” She did come back to Fort Stewart as the DCN (Deputy Commander for Nursing) of Winn Army Community Hospital... MORE

Col Theresa Lewis shows her socks with a nod to fighting breast cancer.

Hidden talents rise during the 2023 Adaptive Recovery Sports Camp
April 2, 2023 — Over 70 wounded ill and injured, Soldiers from different military installations traveled to Fort Bragg to participate in the Adaptive Recovery Sports Camp, March 28 -April 6... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Obed Lebron (second from left) dives during training while athlete mentor, program alum, and Invictus Games competitor Ross Alewine looks on. U.S. Army Adaptive Sports Camp at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 31, 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 DoD Warrior Games Challenge takes place in June 2023 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. (DOD photo by Keisha Frith)

Treating The Whole Soldier
April 2, 2023 — Staff Sgt Robert Ellison is a career Soldier having spent 30 years in the Army. He’s seen a lot of change over the years, and he says it’s change for the better especially when it comes to caring for Soldiers. The Army Recovery Care Program (ARCP) to him is a God Send... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Ellison and Coach Tyler Spencer, practice running form 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 DoD Warrior Games Challenge. This year, the DoD Warrior Games Challenge takes place in June 2023 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Anthony Hopper.)

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.