FORT BLISS, Texas (Army News Service, March 9, 2016) -- Nearly 100 active-duty and medically-retired Soldier-athletes are vying this week to be one of 45 competitors who will represent Team Army at the DOD Warrior Games in June at West Point, New York.
Running March 6-10, the Army Trials showcase the resilient spirit of wounded, ill or injured Soldiers and veterans who have fought personal battles with amputations, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, visual impairments, severe illnesses and traumatic brain injuries through the Army's adaptive sports program.
Coming from the 25 Warrior Transition Units across the United States, these athletes have been training and competing in a variety of adaptive sports that are both individual and team-oriented such as archery, air rifle and pistol, cycling, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, swimming and track and field events including discus and shotput.
The athletes began their path to what they hope will be a spot on the Army Team by competing in unit-level competitions and regional trials. Those who advanced to these trials at Fort Bliss work with coaches, sports trainers and nutritionists who help them move forward with their athletic careers. While less than half the field will make the Army Team, the WTC expects the rigorous adaptive reconditioning training will enhance recovery and continued transition for its Soldiers and veterans.
Watching the track and field competition from the bleachers at Stout Track, Col. Thomas Sutton, operations chief for the Warrior Transition Command, said it wasn't that long ago that some of these athletes were in hospital beds.
"You know you have some of these double-amputees that (were) wondering if they could ever walk again, let alone run, and now we're watching them participate in a track event -- I think it's pretty motivating to see some of these guys get around the track -- it's so inspirational to watch this," he said.
"They've demonstrated resiliency and that's something they're going to go back to their organizations with… feeling stronger and better about themselves," he said. "I think that translates well whether they stay in the Army or go out into society."
Medically retired Sgt. Robbie Gaupp, who suffered a shattered right arm and fractured shoulder blade, has nerve damage and limited mobility, but it hasn't kept him from seeking a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Team, which is his ultimate goal. He competes in shooting, archery, sitting volleyball and track and field and says if he doesn't make the Paralympic Team this year, he'll be back for 2020 and 2024.
"It's a real privilege to be here with other former Soldiers and watch and see them succeed -- it's an honor to hold their hand up at the finish line," Gaupp said. "It's really important at these trials to build comradery and show the abilities we have."
This is the first year Maj. Klara Wright has participated in the Army Trials competing in track and field events, cycling and swimming. Soon to be medically retired after 21 years of service, Wright suffers from asthma, Traumatic brain injury, severe depression and an anxiety disorder. While she would love to make the Army Team, she admits the competition is stiff because there are so many great athletes at the trials.
"This has been a great opportunity… I just want to be around my Soldiers," she said. "I always loved leading and as I transition, this is giving me a chance to say good-bye to that while being part of the team and part of America's best."
Also in his first Army Trials is Sgt. David Snipes Jr., who after returning from his second tour in Afghanistan, lost his left arm at the shoulder when he was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle. He had been home one month when the accident happened in May 2014.
"If I don't make the team this year, I absolutely want to come back next year and give it another shot," he said. So far he's proving his mettle, having won a bronze medal in cycling, two silvers in standing and prone air rifle, while hoping to land two more medals in shotput and discus.
"Participating in these events are really important to me -- keeps me active and you never know who you might influence," Snipes added. "I'm competing with myself because I want to be better than the man I was yesterday."
While Snipes hasn't been training to run, he did participate in one heat with his two good legs and was beat by single- and double-leg amputees. On Facebook he posted -- "LOL. Not even made. It's motivating and inspiring. Guys out there putting in the work!"
Sgt. Michael M. Brown, a 10-year veteran, was deployed to Mosul, Iraq in 2007 when his convoy was hit by an anti-tank grenade. He lost his left leg below the knee. Brown elected to stay on active duty after recovering at the Fort Belvoir WTU. He didn't learn about the Army Trials until last year when he was stationed in Germany.
"I came to the trials this year to try and regain a sense of normalcy," he said. "I can't speak enough about the worthiness of this program… to be able to come out and find other athletes who are challenged like me, who want to push themselves past what they thought they could do."
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