By Alyssa Ross
Navy Installations Comm
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – A native of El Cajon, California, will join more than 250 seriously wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans at the Department of Defense (DOD) Warrior Games Challenge June 21-30, 2024, at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.
Navy Operations Specialist 1st Class (ret.) Travis Wyatt will be competing against athletes representing the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force and U.S. Special Operations Command. During the 10 days of competition, Wyatt will compete in archery, cycling, field and shooting.
Hosted by U.S. Army Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC) the DOD organizes an annual premiere and elite adaptive-sports competition, the Warrior Games. This year is the 14th Anniversary, highlighting the exceptional physical skills and mental toughness of seriously wounded, ill and injured active-duty and veteran service members. Though there are medals distributed during Warrior Games, the competition most highly celebrates personal tenacity, perseverance and the triumph of the spirit.
Wyatt was injured in the explosion on the USS Bon Homme Richard in July 2020. Though he was on the USS Fitzgerald, he was knocked into a bulkhead. The percussive blast resulted in multiple injuries, including more than one traumatic brain injury (TBI). He joined Navy Wounded Warrior in 2021, where his care team encouraged him to try adaptive sports. Wyatt was selected for Team Navy in 2022 and medaled in archery, cycling and swimming. He returned to Team Navy in 2023 and medaled in field, cycling and wheelchair rugby. Wyatt also represented Team USA in the 2023 Invictus Games at The Hague, Netherlands.
“Navy Wounded Warrior and adaptive sports, as well as my teammates, have truly saved my life and given me a direction to continue moving past my injuries,” said Wyatt. “April 2022 was a pivotal moment of recovery for me and my family. I’m very grateful to my wife, Teea and my children, for supporting me on this journey.”
For more information about the 2024 DoD Warrior Games Challenge, visit dodwarriorgames.com.
About Adaptive Athletics
Team Navy is part of Navy Wounded Warrior’s adaptive athletics program. Serious illness or injury can profoundly impact that way of life, often confining a service member to a hospital bed and significantly altering their physical capabilities. Adaptive athletics have been modified to meet the abilities of injured or ill individuals. Sports also help build self-esteem, lower stress levels and invite service members to rejoin a supportive team environment.
About Navy Wounded Warrior
Navy Wounded Warrior is an unbiased advocate that bridges the needs of commands, care teams and service members in planning a way forward after a serious wound, illness, or injury. Staff guides Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, with their families and caregivers, to create a comprehensive recovery plan, which provides a holistic approach tailored to individual recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration needs. The program allows service members and their families to feel empowered and supported as they adapt to their new normal. Tens of thousands of seriously wounded, ill and injured service members located throughout the country received assistance from the Navy Wounded Warrior. Sailors and Coast Guardsmen may self-refer to Navy Wounded Warrior, or be referred by a family member, their command leadership or their medical team. Contact the Navy Wounded Warrior call center at 855-NAVY WWP / 855-628-9997, or email navywoundedwarrior.fct@navy.mil.
