U.S. Army Master Sgt. Kain Proffit , behind, follows Staff Sgt. Taylor Trombley, front, during the men’s road cycling competition at the 2025 Army Trials, Fort Bliss, Texas, April 6, 2025. Over 60 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and veterans are at Fort Bliss, April 1 - 10 to compete in a series of athletic events including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, powerlifting, track, field, rowing, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball. The Army holds qualifying trials to assess and select athletes for competition in the DoD Warrior Games. This year, the DoD Warrior Games will take place July 18 – 26 at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samuel Signor)

(Photo courtesy Robyn Womac Fort Campbell SRU)

Staff Sgt. Taylor Trombley (Middle left) and his fellow adaptive sports athletes along with Recreational Therapist Robyn Womac (far Right) at the Fort Campbell Soldier Recovery Unit.

FALLS CHURCH, Va.- When Staff Sgt. Taylor Trombley talks about how his life changed, he beams with pride over his progress in the Army Recovery Care Program after an accident on a recent deployment. "I was walking around on my birthday during our deployment and fell into a fake, grass-covered hole. I fell a few feet down, and I ruptured my internal fibula; the fall flattened my feet out, and I fractured my lower vertebrae," said Trombley, who is recovering at the Fort Campbell Soldier Recovery Unit.

The Tennessee National Guardsman has had various careers in the Army over the past 13 years, from a parachute rigger to a combat engineer and a military police officer, for his last deployment. Trombley said ARCP was a Godsend. "ARCP means the world to me because they've helped turn my life around. They got me back in college, and I am now in nursing school. They've helped me lose weight and start eating healthier, and I am an all-around changed, better person," said Trombley.

Adaptive sports, particularly cycling, are part of Trombley's daily routine to recover. "I'd like to thank Robyn Womac for that. She is a phenomenal person! She's helped not only me but also so many people. Cycling has flipped my life around. It's helped me walk, and Robyn helped me lose 40 lbs. It's been a wonderful experience."

Womac is a longtime recreation therapist at the Fort Campbell SRU. "I remember when Staff Sgt. Trombley first walked into my spin class for winter cycling training. He had that look on his face that most Soldiers do when they first arrive at the unit, defeated by their injuries, not knowing what the future might hold. I always try to make our adaptive activities fun and engaging to encourage the Soldiers to continue coming back and build on their efforts. I might've helped light the spark in Trombley, but he kept the fire going.

Robyn Womac, a recreational therapist at the Fort Campbell Soldier Recovery Unit, cycling with Soldiers in recovery.

He was motivated to get better and regularly attended spin classes. When we transitioned to outdoor cycling, I got him fitted on a bike, and I could tell after our first ride that cycling would be a sport he could utilize in his recovery. It has always been my professional goal to teach Soldiers like Trombley a new life sport that can continue supporting their physical and emotional well-being long after transitioning from our program," said Womac.

Excited for his future, Trombley takes it one day at a time and says he wouldn't be where he is today without ARCP. "I am still working with my injuries in recovery, but they are getting better," said Trombley, who tried out his skills at this year's Army Trials. "I'm disappointed I didn't make the team for 2025, but I had a lot of fun at Army Trials and learned a lot from the coaches. I hope to continue advancing in my sports, return stronger and better next year, and hopefully make the 2026 Team!"

Helping Soldiers get better daily is the bright spot for Womac, who exemplifies what ARCP is all about. "Being able to help the Soldiers become more resilient and challenge them to do things they never thought possible, even before their injuries, is something I cherish every day."