FORT BLISS, Texas -- In his "Meditations" on living a stoic life Emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote, "Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking." To retired Army Staff Sgt. Juan Ortega-Perez, a long-time dance club bouncer, former Marine wounded in Kosovo, and first time Army Trials athlete at Fort Bliss, Texas, these words from the second century ring very much true here in the 21st.
This fireplug of a man, short, powerful and intimidating, is the furthest thing from what one typically envisions as a competitive swimmer. Yet, Ortega-Perez has every intention of advancing as a swimmer, through Army Trials and on to the 2016 Warrior Games, held June 14-22 at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York.
His approach towards swimming is not the only way in which the retired Staff Sgt. from Brandon, Florida is at variance with the expected norm. There are numerous other examples, such as his claim that the day-to-day responsibilities of bouncing were "therapeutic."
"It was therapeutic because my job as a bouncer was in keeping everybody happy," said Ortega-Perez. "Believe it or not, being a bouncer, was all about being friendly. Not to show them you're the toughest guy. Not a show of force. But rather being courteous and being nice."
This way of thinking carries over into Ortega-Perez' overall approach to life. Not only is it his mission to be happy, for his own sake, but instilling happiness in others is also ever-present on his mind.
With a persistent back and neck injuries, three surgeries upon his face, in addition to having undergone several corrective eye surgeries, it's a wonder that Ortega-Perez finds the mental wherewithal to concern himself with happiness. He casually dismisses these maladies to the everyday "wear and tear" of Kosovo and Afghanistan.
What he can't so easily dismiss is the post-traumatic stress that makes commonplace situations, here at home, unbearably nerve-wracking, while the rocket and mortar attacks of war- zones are remembered almost fondly, evoking an inexplicable, familiar comfort.
Ortega-Perez was assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Drum, New York, in 2013. He describes it as "an awesome experience," saying the staff was extremely compassionate and did wonders in helping him recover from depression so severe that he found it difficult to emerge from his room.
As with many wounded, ill and injured who are contending with post-traumatic stress, Ortega-Perez has difficulty being around crowds. His first few days at Army Trials were touch and go and the collection of fellow athletes, coaches, lifeguards and other support staff gathered at the lap pool became stress-generating to the extent of producing nausea.
"Now that I'm getting used to it, things are getting better," said Ortega-Perez, who says that one of his fellow athletes, also confronting post-traumatic stress, instantly recognized Ortega-Perez' distress and sought to reassure him. "For someone with post-traumatic stress, things are just very different," said Ortega-Perez.
In regards to overcoming the physics of swimming, Ortega-Perez says "I'm fast… just watch me!" He proclaims that he feels free when in the water. Appropriately, his favorite stroke is the freestyle.
By Ortega-Perez' way of thinking, his happiness at Army Trials isn't entirely contingent upon winning, but in progressing one step at a time. Though he has every intention of making it to the 2016 Warrior Games, Ortega-Perez insists that if he should fall short, he will return next year, saying "I'm very determined. You'll see me. I'll make the team."
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