By Rick Burke
Navy Office of Comm unity Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – A El Cajon, California, native will join more than 250 seriously wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans at the Department of Defense (DOD) Warrior Games Challenge June 2 – 12, 2023, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California.
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.
“It means that no matter how deep into your career or severe the injury, of course there are some exceptions, you can still grow and experience new things while representing the world’s finest Navy,” said Wyatt.
During the 10 days of competition, Wyatt will compete in archery, cycling, indoor rowing, and shooting.
Hosted by U.S. Army Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC) the Department of Defense (DoD) organizes an annual adaptive-sports competition, the Warrior Games. This year is the 13th Anniversary highlighting the exceptional physical skills and mental toughness of wounded, ill and injured active-duty and veteran service
members. While the structure of the Warrior Games Challenge may be slightly different than a traditional Warrior Games, athletes will still participate in a premier and elite-level adaptive sporting event.
“Serving always comes with a sense of pride; to be a part of the 1 percent in the nation who qualified and exceeded the standard of performance,” added Wyatt. “Serving means taking advantage of opportunities to be the difference and represent communities and nationalities, to bring visibility and diversity on a global platform. It’s priceless.”
Team Navy is part of Navy Wounded Warrior’s adaptive athletics program, which is open to service members and veterans in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard with serious, non-combat or combat-related injuries and physical or psychological illnesses.
Recovering Service Members rebuild their strength and endurance, while also drawing inspiration from their teammates. Sports also help build self-esteem, lowers stress levels and invite service members to rejoin a team environment.
All enrollees in Navy Wounded Warrior are encouraged to include adaptive athletics in their recovery plans. Participation is voluntary and requires sailors and Coast Guardsmen to self-refer or be referred by their commands, chaplain, medical team, peers, or others
for enrollment determination. Connect by phone at 855-NAVY-WWP (855-628-9997) or e-mail navywoundedwarrior.fct@navy.mil.
For more information about the 2023 DoD Warrior Games Challenge, visit dodwarriorgames.com.
Reprinted with the permission of the U.S. Navy.
