Soldier Athlete -- Lead from the front; inspire others

By Chuck Yang, U.S. Army Medical Activity, Fort Drum, N.Y.April 11, 2017

Soldier Athlete -- Lead from the front; inspire others
Command Sgt. Maj. Oscar Mullinax Jr. winds up to throw his 3rd discus during the track & field event at Fort Bliss, Texas, April 5, 2017. About 80 wounded, ill and injured active-duty Soldiers and Army Veterans from across the country to train and co... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BLISS, Texas -- "For me, being a non-commissioned officer means to lead from the front," remarked Command Sergeant Major Oscar Mullinax Jr., an Army Trials athlete and the senior enlisted adviser for the 3-85th Mountain Infantry Warrior Transition Unit, Fort Drum, NY.

Wounded in 2007, Mullinax was referred to the Center for Intrepid at San Antonio, Texas, where patients' recoveries are challenged by state-of-the-art physical therapy and occupational therapy, demanding and challenging sports equipment, and virtual reality systems.

Mullinax is also one of the first patients to be fitted with a device called Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis, known as the IDEO, a streamlined, energy-storing brace that delivers nearly instantaneous results for patients with lower leg injuries.

Being an athlete and a WTU command sergeant major, Mullinax understands what these athletes are going through, from the painful recovery phase, training process, and comradery you build along the way. "I know what these soldiers went through; will go through" explained Mullinax. "I understand the whole process and I can use this experience to inspire other Soldiers in Transition."

Mullinax shared his unique experience as an athlete. "Here at the Trials, I can be myself (as an athlete), I'm among the soldiers who went through the same situation, same process; out here, everyone sympathizes and empathizes with each other," he continued , "It's one big support system."

When asked of his expectations at the Trials, Mullinax simply said, "I'm just going to do my best."

Mullinax, like many, is a first year athlete who is among 80 wounded, ill and injured active-duty Soldiers and Army Veterans from across the country to train and compete in the series of competitive events at the 2017 Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Army Trials brings wounded, ill and injured Soldiers together to train and compete for a chance to represent Team Army at the 2017 DoD Warrior Games. Those invited to Army Trials will compete in eight sports: archery; cycling; track; field; shooting; sitting volleyball; swimming; and wheelchair basketball.

Mullinax is competing in discus, shot put, 100 and 200 meter races; and swimming. On Day 4 of the Trials, Mullinax earned gold medals in 100 and 200 meter races.