By Jyremy Reid
ARLINGTON Va. – After a two-year hiatus, the much-anticipated Invictus Games are officially set to happen in The Hague, The Netherlands from April 16-22, 2022. This year, 15 Team Army Athletes will compete, and the competition is hotter than ever.
With a combination of strength and focus, all members are ready for the chance to face off against over 500 other military service competitors from 20 countries around the world. This multi-sport event created for wounded, ill or injured service members will host a diverse set of athletics including archery, field, powerlifting, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, track, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball and a driving challenge.
Spc. Michelle Sanchez and Spc. Brent Garlic, who are competing for Team U.S., couldn’t be happier they are going to The Netherlands. As retired veterans, this opportunity is a dream come true. Sanchez will compete in archery and cycling at the event. Garlic is set to compete in cycling, field, rowing, powerlifting, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.
“The pandemic has changed our lives in many ways, but the delay of Invictus is completely understandable,” said Sanchez. “I know my fellow teammates and I have trained hard for the unknown and we are ready to show our talents to the world!”
In light of current situations, Garlic said the games “would be an outstanding booster for the world's athletic community.”
The Invictus Games was built on the concept of the U.S. Department of Defense, Warrior Games, and is designed to harness the power of sport and rehabilitation. This, in turn, gives viewers a greater understanding and respect for those who serve their country.
The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command is in charge of planning and supporting the organization on behalf of the Defense Department. The members of Team U.S. will continue to train until the long-awaited moment of reckoning arrives.
“For me, it’s an end to the darkness and a beginning of normalcy in our lives,” said Sanchez. “I can’t wait to wear our country’s colors and represent Team U.S. alongside my brothers and sisters at arms.”
In addition to Sanchez and Garlic, the following athletes will participate for Team U.S.:
Retired Staff Sgt. Ross Alewine, Army
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Anthony, U.S. Special Operations Command
Retired Staff Sgt. Stacy Blackburn-Hoelscher, Marine Corps
Retired Sgt. Andrew Blackburn, Marine Corps
Retired Capt. Tim Bomke, Army
Staff Sgt. Matthew Cable, Air National Guard
Retired Senior Airman Brett Campfield, Air Force
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Hyoshin Cha, Army
Retired Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Jai Cheon, Navy
Retired Navy Diver 2nd Class Daniel Clarke, Navy
Retired Lt. Joshua Connell, Navy
Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Jaime Covas, U.S. Special Operations Command
Retired Metalsmith 2nd Class Jacob Cox, U.S. Coast Guard
Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard Devericks, U.S. Special Operations Command
Retired Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Michael Diaz, Navy
Retired Staff Sgt. Robert Dominguez, Marine Corps
Navy Chief Petty Officer Nolan Ellis, U.S. Special Operations Command
Retired Specialist Angela Euson, Army
Navy Chief Petty Officer Phillip Fong, U.S. Special Operations Command
Retired Staff Sgt. Larry Franklin, Air Force
Information Technician 1st Class Ruth Freeman, Navy
Retired Specialist Brent Garlic, Army
Retired Hospitalman Gabriel George, Navy
Retired Gunnery Sgt. Doug Godfrey, Marine Corps
Retired Tech Sgt. Chunte Gonzalez, Air Force
Retired Staff Sgt. Beth Grauer, Marine Corps
Staff Sgt. Kevin Greene, Air Force Reserve
Master Sgt. Kenny Guinn, Air Force
Lance Corp. KC Higer, Marine Corps
Retired Cpl. Andrew Holliday, Marine Corps
Retired Master Sgt. Roger Hopkins, Air Force
Retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Tiffany Hudgins, U.S. Special Operations Command
Retired Cpl. Carlos Jimenez, Marine Corps
Retired Staff Sgt. Beth King, Army
Retired Cpl. Tisha Knickerbocker, Marine Corps
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Garrett Kuwada, Air Force
Retired Utilitiesman 2nd Class Joshua Laban, Navy
Retired Army Staff Sgt. Fred Lewis, U.S. Special Operations Command
Retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Carnell Martin, Marine Corps
Sgt. Patrick MacDonald, Marine Corps
Retired Major Lisa McCranie, Air Force
Retired Senior Airman Rafael Morfinenciso, Air Force
Retired Capt. Kristen Morris, Air Force
Retired Staff Sgt. Michael Murphy, Army
Retired Sgt. Michael Nicholson, Marine Corps
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Earl Ohlinger, Army
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Josh Olson, Army
Staff Sgt. August O’Niell, Air Force
Army Sgt. 1st Class Dawn Page, U.S. Special Operations Command
Retired Aviation Machinist Mate 1st Class Austin Parker, Navy
Retired Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class John Pulido, Navy
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Quarles, Army
Retired Master Sgt. Andres Rodriguez, Air Force
Retired Staff Sgt. Joel Rodriguez, Army
Retired Staff Sgt. Shawn Runnells, Army
Retired Specialist Michelle Sanchez, Army
Retired Tech Sgt. Joshua Smith, Air Force
Retired Navy Lt. Isaiah Staley, U.S. Special Operations Command
Retired Cpl. Kionte Storey, Marine Corps
Capt. Casey Turner, Army
Retired Army Master Sgt. George Vera, U.S. Special Operations Command
Retired Army Capt. Sean Walsh, U.S. Special Operations Command
Air Force Staff Sgt. Mario Webb, U.S. Special Operations Command
Retired Capt. Alex Wilson, Army
Retired Capt. Heather Wright, Air Force
The Army Warrior Care and Transition Program is now the Army Recovery Care Program. Although the name has changed, the mission remains the same: to provide quality complex case management to the Army's wounded, ill and injured Soldiers. Visit our website at https://arcp.army.mil
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