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U.S. Army veteran Brandi Evans, from El Paso, Texas, warms up her racing wheelchair on a cold, chilly morning during the first day of training at the U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition's Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas, March 29. About 80 wounded...
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U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Altermese Kendrick, from the Warrior Transition Unit, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, gets assistance strapping in for the first day of seated shot put training at the U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition Ar...
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U.S. Army veteran Erick Acevedo of Kempner, Texas, takes careful aim during the first day of air rifle training at the U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition's Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas, March 29. About 80 wounded, ill and injured active-duty S...
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U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert G. Roberts, of the Warrior Transition Unit, Fort Carson, Colo., spots his arrow just before it hits the target during the first day of archery training at the U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition's Army Trials at Fort...
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Swimming Coach Bobby Brewer discusses stroke techniques while on a break during the first day of training at the U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition's Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas, March 29. About 80 wounded, ill and injured active-duty Soldier...
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Army athletes participate in a passing drill for wheel chair basketball assessments during the first day of training at the U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition's Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas, March 29. About 80 wounded, ill and injured active-d...
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U.S. Army veteran Jodie Lemons, from Navarre, FL, gets familiar with her hand cycle before her first training session at the U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition's Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas, March 30. About 80 wounded, ill and injured active-...
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U.S. Army veteran David Snipes, from Teaneck, NJ, takes in a little sun before hitting the road on his recumbent cycle for training at the U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition's Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas, March 29. About 80 wounded, ill and i...
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FORT BLISS, Texas -- With winds gusting at 30 miles per hour, El Paso, Texas would seem to be a safe place to be in terms of temperature this time of year. Along with gusty winds, the temperature dropped to 48 degrees, but didn't shock the system of Army Soldiers and Veterans during the first day of training for the U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition Army Trials, hosted at Fort Bliss, Texas, Mar. 29. Competition takes place April 2-6.
The athletes descended upon several venues throughout Fort Bliss to strain muscles and increase their aptitude and technical expertise. Some found their morning training session on the cool grass for seated shot put. "I have been serving for a while, and enduring the weather is a part of training," said Staff Sgt. Altermese Kendrick, of Warrior Transition Unit, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. "I didn't expect the wind or the chill in the air, but it didn't really affect my ability to learn and train for the event."
Other athletes were in the warm, snug confines of Milam Gymnasium. Each Soldier is finding a new niche to their game. "I normally shoot a compound bow [during archery sessions]," said Sgt. 1st Class Robert G. Roberts, currently assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit, Fort Carson, Colorado. For the Army Trials, Roberts is shooting a recurve bow and it is new to him. "I'm paying special attention to the instruction I'm getting," said Roberts. "When I'm shooting my bow; that's how I relax," he said. "I came here to compete and have fun."
A brisk wind and cold weather is not enough to keep these Soldiers from pushing their minds and bodies to the limit. "It was a good day," said Kendrick. "I met some great people and my level of excitement was increased for what's to come."
Nearly 80 ill and injured active-duty Soldiers and Army Veteran athletes are here training to earn a spot on Team Army. The ultimate goal for these competitors is to participate in the 2017 Department of Defense Warrior Games, June 30 -- July 8 in Chicago, Illinois. They will display their skill in adaptive sports including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, field, and wheelchair basketball.
To keep track of all the action and results, follow Army Trials 2017 at:
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