FORT BLISS, Texas -- U.S. Army veteran Capt. Ryan Burnett becomes hybrid to participate at the 2016 U.S. Army Trials, March 6-10, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Burnett, native of Troy, Montana, lost his left leg to a roadside improvised explosive device in southern Afghanistan, March 5, 2012. Although a difficult incident to deal with, Burnett overcame his injury through resiliency and competing in adaptive sports.
"Being fit is in the nature of a Soldier and I had to find a way to represent the Army," he said. Although retired and missing his left lower leg, Burnett became a hybrid and utilized a mechanical prosthetic which enabled him to run and compete in the track and field training session.
Through adaptive sports, wounded service members and veterans are given the opportunity to recover from their illness, wounds, and injuries by participating in the 2016 U.S. Army Trials hosted by the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command at Fort Bliss, Texas.
"I am competing for myself and my path is spiritual, family and Soldiers," he said. Since competing in the Army Trials, Burnett has learned from other injured, wounded or ill, Soldiers and veterans.
The camaraderie that these brave individuals is unsurpassed and while they do compete against each other, the main goal of overcoming their injuries is achieved by competing. "Although I want to represent the Army and win at track and field, I compete for myself and I compete for them, he said."
The adaptive sporting events that are contributing to the recovery process include running, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and cycling to name a few. Burnett is training in track and field to improve his running technique with the use of a prosthetic.
Burnett hopes to be selected to the U.S. Army team and compete at the 2016 Department of Defense Warrior Games scheduled to take place at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, June 14-22.
Social Sharing