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U.S. Army Trials

Thursday, February 18, 2016

What is it?

The U.S. Army Trials demonstrates the importance of the Army’s Warrior Care and Transition Program (WCTP) in the recovery and transition of wounded, ill and injured Soldiers.

During the Army Trials, the wounded warriors compete in archery, cycling, track and field, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming and wheelchair basketball. Participants in the trials include service members with upper-body, lower-body and spinal cord injuries, serious illnesses, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairment and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Army Trials help determine which athletes get selected for the Army team to compete at the DOD Warrior Games.

What has the Army done?

The Warrior Transition Command will host the U.S. Army Trials 2016, Feb. 28 - March 11, at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. About 120 seriously wounded, ill and injured service members (both active duty and veterans) from across the country will compete for spots on their service teams for the 2016 DOD Warrior Games.

At 24 Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) across the country, wounded, ill and injured Soldiers have one mission: to heal and prepare for transition. Adaptive reconditioning activities including adaptive sports are a valuable recovery tool incorporated into most WTU Soldiers’ recovery plans across the WCTP. Adaptive reconditioning helps enable healing in a multitude of ways: mentally, emotionally, physically and personally.

What continued efforts are planned for the future?

Adaptive reconditioning is an integral part of the overall WCTP which the Army will continue to support and use to enhance an individual’s recovery. Adaptive sports and reconditioning are linked to a variety of benefits for wounded, ill and injured service members across the military branches:

  • Less stress
  • Reduced dependency on pain and depression medication
  • Fewer secondary medical conditions (i.e. diabetes, hypertension)
  • Higher achievement in education and employment
  • Increased independence
  • Increased self-confidence
  • Increased mobility

Participation in sports, and as part of a team, also helps Soldiers adapt more easily and lessens behavioral health problems.

Why is it important to the Army?

Not only do the U.S. Army Trials showcase the resilience, strength and abilities of the Army’s wounded, ill and injured, they highlight the Army’s commitment to these Soldiers, veterans and their Families. Whether they choose to continue on active duty or transition to veteran status, they remain part of the Army Family. The Army Trials reinforce the commitment of the Army to care for all of its Soldiers wounded, ill and injured.

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