FORT CARSON, Colo. -- After overcoming a potential career-ending injury and catastrophic illness, becoming a Paralympic swimmer would seem to be a daunting task. For a Soldier, the mission to achieve and succeed isn't hard to comprehend, but getting there involves a lot of drive, determination and support.
"A lot of times my title from external sources is 'female Paralympic swimmer,' when in reality I am the first Paralympic swimmer that the (Army World Class Athlete Program) has ever had, and yes, I am a female," said Sgt. Elizabeth Marks, a WCAP athlete and combat medic.
Marks shared her story March 29, 2016, at the Elkhorn Conference Center. The event was hosted by the 4th Infantry Division Equal Opportunity Team and 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div.
Marks sustained bilateral hip injuries while deployed to Iraq in 2010 and suffered a catastrophic illness shortly after. But these medical crises never swayed her determination to stay in the Army.
"When I first got injured and was MedEvac'd I was told I was unfit to serve. I was 19 and this was my family, and they were going to be taken away from me," she said. "So, I called my dad and he told me, 'Just calm down, take out a piece of paper and write down what means the most to you.'"
Marks described how she found one specific term that stuck out to her. She wrote it down, framed it and put it up on the wall -- 'fit for duty.'"
"I was in a wheelchair but I was going to be found fit," she said.
Her determination moved her to appeal the medical evaluation board decision, and she won. Just before she was found fit for duty, Marks found the pool.
In January 2012, Marks knew she would have to do cardiovascular training to get into shape to be back with her unit. She started lifting weights and said she knew that it was good to be strong, but it's not good to be fat.
"I decided the pool was my happy place, and that's what was going to save me," Marks said.
She continued to work hard and after just two months of practice, Marks competed in the Warrior Games and took home gold, silver and bronze medals against able-bodied females. She then submitted a packet to WCAP and was accepted.
"I found out on July 3, 2012, six months after I started swimming, that I was accepted into WCAP; simultaneously I was found fit for duty," shared Marks. "From being told I wasn't fit enough to serve, to being able to train to be the best athlete that we have in our nation -- wow!"
Marks has made an impact not only as an athlete in the WCAP, but as a Soldier.
"Sgt. Marks is the epitome of a Soldier," said Capt. Matthew Hickey, WCAP commander. "Being a Soldier isn't about being a male or a female, it's about doing your duties, doing them well and teaching others and she does that each and every day. She did that before she came to our program, and she will do it in the future."
Marks is currently training to compete in trials to participate in Rio de Janeiro this summer for the 2016 Paralympic Games. She will compete in the 100 breast stroke, 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke; her core events. She is currently ranked first in the world for the 100 breast stroke, sixth for the 200 medley and 10th for the 100 backstroke.
Through her medical challenges, Marks said that her pride comes from representing her country as a Soldier during competition.
"Standing on the podium next to men from other services is the same to me as standing on the podium next to women from other services," Marks said. "Because when I have my uniform on and I am a Soldier, that's what I am. I'm not a female swimmer. I'm not a female Soldier. I'm a Soldier -- that is the most prideful thing I have in my life."
During her speech, Marks emphasized that her success as a Paralympic athlete was due to the support of her command and others who believed in her as a Soldier and athlete.
"When Sgt. Marks was speaking, I was really proud that I did not think of her as a female Soldier, and am proud to say I share the same uniform she does," said Col. Douglas A. Sims II, chief of staff, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson. "My daughter is inspired daily by the women at Fort Carson. Sgt. Marks is another extraordinary example and an inspiration to not only the women in the room, but to all of those in this room today."
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