Commander’s Drumbeat: What a Week for Army at Warrior Games

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games, Warrior Transition Command by on May 9, 2012 at 3:28 pm {no comments}

By BG Darryl A. Williams, WTC Commander
Wow.  I have never been more proud to be a Soldier in the United States Army than I am after watching the Army compete this week.  The Army Warrior Games team has turned in performances that make all of us proud to wear the uniform, and today was no exception.

I’ve had a blast all week and have made it a point to get to every event, and I want you to understand just how much excitement we’ve all experienced:

  • Monday: At the Opening Ceremony, the 220 athletes from all the services and the British armed forces marched across the Olympic Training Center with pride.  Their heads were up, shoulders back, all proud to wear the colors of their service branch.  Proud of what they’ve given our country, and what they’ve accomplished personally since they became wounded, ill, and injured.  Mrs. Michelle Obama and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, GEN Martin E. Dempsey, helped America see how important this event is, and how much wounded, ill, and injured warriors can accomplish.  AW2 Veteran Melissa Stockwell, who competed for the United States in the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, lit the torch and reminded all the athletes competing–and all wounded, ill, and injured servicemembers throughout the country–how much is still possible even after injury.  GEN Lloyd J. Austin III, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, and LTG Patricia Horoho, Army Surgeon General, both met with the Army team and attended the opening reception.
  • Tuesday: The Army women swept the podium at cycling and CPT Bill Longwell brought home gold for the men.  Seeing the elation on CPT Longwell’s face when he crossed the finish line and the Army spirit in Veterans Tanya Anderson, Margaux Vair, and 1LT Lacey Hamilton posing with their medals, I knew we were in for a great week.  And we made a strong start in sitting volleyball.  The Honorable John McHugh, Secretary of the Army, kicked off the cycling competition and presented medals to the cycling winners.
  • Wednesday: Army swept the silvers in all four archery categories.  SGT Fred Prince and Veteran Kinga Kiss-Johnson took home individual silvers, and we won the “team” silvers in both the recurve and compound categories.  And if that wasn’t enough, Coach Steve Coleman had promised the team that if they did well, they could shave his very bushy beard and hair.  He looks 20 years younger without it.  And later that night, Army was on top of our game in sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.  You should hear the crowd in the gym for both these sports – you can barely hear yourself think.  Between the cowbells and airhorns and cheering fans, the athletes from all the services know how much they’re supported.  And there was more – the PA system couldn’t get the British national anthem to play before their exhibition sitting volleyball game, so the team belted the lyrics with incredible sense of country.SMA Raymond F. Chandler III, Sergeant Major of the Army, visited with the Army team and cheered them on throughout Wednesday and Thursday.
  • Thursday: We brought home three medals in shooting: SGT Fred Prince and Veterans Justin Miller and Ben Trescott.  The Army Marksmanship Unit came out to help our athletes train, and they were instrumental in helping the Soldiers prepare.  Thursday evening, Army qualified for the gold medal game in both sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.  We won gold in wheelchair basketball last year and silver in sitting volleyball, and members of both teams told me that they were hungry to take home gold.
  • Friday: What an exciting day.  At the track, we sang the Army song over and over, as so many of our athletes won gold.  In his third Warrior Games appearance, Robbie Gaupp brought home two gold—in the 100m and 200m, and now he’s talking about qualifying for the Paralympic Games in London.  Kinga Kiss-Johnson, Anthony Pone, Monica Southall, and Juan Soto all won gold in different categories of shot put, and they all made it look easy.  Then Friday night, we dominated the Marines in sitting basketball and wheelchair basketball, bringing home gold in both team sports.  I could barely sit down during either game, I was cheering so hard and so excited for our teams.  GEN Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff of the Army, was out at the track cheering on Army athletes and presented track and field medals.
  • Saturday: Army wrapped up the week with a strong showing in swimming.  There were some incredible performances from all the services.  WTC’s own LTC Danny Dudek, author of the new Comprehensive Transition Plan (CTP) policy and procedures, won gold in his race by more than a minute.

All in all, Army took home 62 medals: 18 gold, 19 silver, and 25 bronze.  Congratulations to all of the Army athletes on turning in a series of outstanding performances, and to all of the competitors here this week from all branches, including the members of the British armed forces who competed.

And to all wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and Veterans who want to compete at the 2013 Warrior Games, we’ll let you know in the next few months about the training clinics and selection process.  I encourage you to continue to incorporate adaptive sports and reconditioning into your every day recovery and ongoing physical fitness routines, and I look forward to seeing the Army deliver another outstanding performance next year.

Army Dominates Marines In WheelChair Basketball Rematch

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games, Warrior Transition Command by on May 4, 2012 at 5:23 pm {no comments}

Retired Army CPL Perry Price III, of Wilmington, Del., races down the basketball court alongside retired Army SPC Juan Soto, a San Antonio, Texas, native, at a wheelchair basketball game against the Marines during the 2012 Warrior Games at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. on May 3. The Army defeated the Marines 45-27. (Photo by Army SGT Jerry Griffis, 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

By SGT Jerry Griffis, 43rd Public Affairs Detachment
Two rivals met on the court again May 3, 2012, for a second night of wheelchair basketball.  The Warrior Games continued with the Army team facing off against the Marines for a chance at the gold medal.  Fans cheered, and anticipation was high as the game began with retired Army CPL Perry Price III, a Wilmington, Del. native, scoring the first two points of the game.

The Warrior Games is an annual competition between wounded, injured, and ill service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and SOCOM.  The games feature a variety of sporting events, including cycling, shooting, wheelchair basketball, archery, track and field, swimming, and sitting volleyball.

The game was not without bumps and bruises.  At one point, retired Army SSG Paul Roberts, of Newport News, Va., scored two points right before crashing into a padded goal support.  The play was highly contested between the two teams, and after falling out of his chair, Roberts walked off the court unassisted.

Overall the Army team dominated the game with a final score of 45-27.

“We were going to come out like we would against anybody, with a lot of intensity, and a lot of focus and try to have a little patience on offense and get the shots that we wanted,” said Doug Varner, the Army wheelchair basketball coach. “We have one game left and it will be the gold medal.  We will make a few tweaks defensively.  The Marines played really well.

“The team played great. The team played as a team all the way through, said Army Veteran, Damion Peyton, of Washington, D.C. “I’m not even worried about us getting that gold.”

Army Takes Another Win in Sitting Volleyball

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games, Warrior Transition Command by on May 4, 2012 at 5:15 pm {no comments}

The U.S. Army and British Armed Forces sitting volleyball teams pose for a photo after an exhibition match for the 2012 Warrior Games on May 2, at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The British team was invited to participate in the Warrior Games this year as a special guest. (Photo by Army SGT Jerry Griffis, 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

By Sgt. Jerry Griffis, 43rd Public Affairs Detachment

The U.S. Army sitting volleyball team won their third match of the 2012 Warrior Games on May 2, and also bested the British Armed Forces team in an exhibition match.

During the match between the Army and SOCOM, the Army dominated the first set with a score of 25-16.  The second set was such an easy win, but the Army came out victorious in the end with a score of 26-24.

It was a night of camaraderie and friendship as the Army played a match against the British Armed Forces team who were invited to this year’s Warrior Games as special guests.  The Army won the first set 25-17.  Showing they were not to be beaten easily, the British team came around to score a victory in the second set, 25-12.  The match continued into a third set to break the tie, with the Army winning the set 15-10.

After the exhibition game, the U.S. Army and the British team came together to pose for photographs and congratulate one another on a game well played.

Mixed Victory for Army Sitting Volleyball

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games, Warrior Transition Command by on May 3, 2012 at 1:45 pm {no comments}

Army CPT David Vendt, U.S. Army sitting volleyball coach, pulls his team together to discuss strategy during the first set against the U.S. Navy at the 2012 Warrior Games on May 1, 2012 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

By SGT Jerry Griffis, 43rd Public Affairs Detachment
The U.S. Army sitting volleyball team played their first matches of the third annual Warrior Games on May 1, 2012.  It was a night of mixed emotions as the U.S. Army lost the first two sets against the Marines and won the first two sets against the Navy/Coast Guard team.

The Warrior Games is an annual competition between wounded, ill, and injured servicemembers from the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, and Special Operations Command (SOCOM).  The competition features a variety of adaptive sports including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, track and field, and wheelchair basketball.

During the first match, the Marines defeated the Army 25-18, and then 27-18.  During the second set of the match, the competition was fierce as the Army fought to even the score. Eventually the Marines were able to come out on top, pushing the games to the next round.

In the second match, the Army faced off against the Navy/Coast Guard team. The Army seemed warmed up and ready as they cleared the path to victory in both sets. The Army defeated Navy/Coast Guard 25-22, and then 25-18.

Army sitting volleyball coach, CPT David Vendt, said there were some initial hiccups early in the night, but they won’t stop his team’s drive to win the gold.

“The Army team played the Army way,” said Vendt.  “We will continue to march.”

Army Cycling Team Wins Big at 2012 Warrior Games

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games, Warrior Transition Command by on May 2, 2012 at 7:32 pm {no comments}

CPT William Longwell crosses the finish line and takes the gold medal in the 2012 Warrior Games Men’s 10k hand cycle event at the U.S. Air Force Academy May 01, 2012. (Photo by Army SGT Jennifer Spradlin, 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

By SGT Jennifer Spradlin, 43rd Public Affairs Detachment
After months of intensive training, an extremely competitive selection process, one week of on-site practices, and immeasurable amounts of friendly trash talk, it was finally time for the athletes of the 2012 Warrior Games Army cycling team to shut up, cycle, and win.

And that’s just what they did. The Army went on to win six individual medals on the hilly U.S. Air Force Academy course—two gold, one  silver, and three bronze—and tie the Marine Corps after the first event of the competition.

CPT William Longwell started the Army off the strong by finishing first in the men’s 10k hand cycle event with a blistering time of 20 minutes, 54 seconds. Veteran Anthony Robinson also performed well in a fast race and took the bronze in the same event.

“It felt great to cross the finish line. I knew I was in first, and I knew I was the first medal for the Army,” said Longwell. “I definitely got tired during the race. I knew I had a 300m lead on everybody, and so I took it a little bit easier up the last big hill, but then I looked over my shoulder and saw the Marine back there and downshifted a little bit more and kept going. I just kept thinking to myself, ‘keep going, keep truckin’.”

Longwell attributed his success to the amount of training and preparation he underwent prior to the games. He said he was biking on average between 40 and 60 miles a week. Longwell, a Batavia, Ill. native, began cycling in January when a combat injury had sidelined his ability to do other cardiovascular workouts, and soon found himself hooked.

“I knew I was going to win. I just trained too hard not to win, but more so than anything, I was trying to beat my own personal time I set for myself,” said Longwell, who encouraged other wounded, ill, and injured servicemembers to get outside, have fun, and try out the cycling community.

Next off the race line were the female bicycle events.  Not to be outdone by their male counterparts, the women swept the medal stand.  Army Veteran Tanya Anderson, a full-time cycling coach for the Marine Corps at the Wounded Warrior Battalion-East at Camp Lejuene, claimed gold with a time of 18 minutes, 28 seconds. The silver medal went to Veteran Margaux Vair, and the bronze went to 1LT Lacey Hamilton.

“I am proud of the entire female squad,” said Anderson a Laguna Beach, Calif., native. “We came and swept the whole field like we had planned.”

Despite working closely with the Marine Corps, Anderson said making the Army team and being around other Soldiers felt like coming home, and winning the medal helped cement her Warrior Games experience.

“It was such an honor to go out there and represent the Army and win the gold,” said Anderson.

The final races, the Men’s 30k bicycle open and the 30k physical disability, were the most competitive of the day, each event saw several lead changes and cyclists sprinting to the finish line to place. SSG John Masters emerged the lone medalist for the Army in the two categories, finishing just ahead of another Army bicyclist for the bronze in the 30k physical disability.

The Warrior Games bring together wounded, ill, and injured servicemembers in a sporting competition hosted by the U.S. Olympic Committee. Competition continues throughout the week with archery, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and track and field.

To learn more about the Warrior Games or the Army athletes, visit the Warrior Transition Command at www.WTC.army.mil.

Turning Disability into Ability at the Warrior Games

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games, Warrior Transition Command by on May 2, 2012 at 4:18 pm {no comments}

By Caitlin McCarrie, WTC STRATCOM
This is my first time at the Warrior Games, and I am taking in this experience with wide eyes and enthusiasm. The Opening Ceremony at the U.S Olympic Training Center kicked off the week’s events. Before the ceremony, the athletes, coaches, and staff gathered and calmed their nerves in preparation for the week ahead.

As I looked around the room, I saw the athletes get in their zone. U.S. Army archery coach Steven Coleman looked for his team and pointed out that each competitor focuses their energy in different ways, whether it be listening to their iPod, playing cards with teammates, or talking with their coach. I could feel their energy, and it was positively invigorating.

We made our way to the Opening Ceremony, and watching the competitors from all service branches make their way through the crowd was truly inspiring. Amid the friendly banter between the services there was an overarching sense of pride and gratitude. Soldiers of all backgrounds walked the same walk.  I’ve heard the phrase, “overcoming disability with ability” before, but it wasn’t until that moment when I saw these men and women walking toward the ceremony together that I really understood the power of those words.

One of the most exciting parts for me was listening to the VIP speakers, such as Mrs. Michelle Obama and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army GEN Martin Dempsey. Watching these prominent men and women address the sea of wounded, ill, and injured servicemembers and Family members I felt a deep sense of gratefulness and respect. That sentiment swept over the crowd, and at that moment the crowd shared a sense of unity that I’ve never experienced before.

Mrs. Obama praised the athletes, “I get to see your strength and determination up close, and you tell me you’re not just going to walk again, but you’re going to run, and you’re going to run marathons.”

After the opening remarks, I joined the Army athletes, coaches, and staff for some words of inspiration for the week ahead. LTG Patricia Horoho, the Army Surgeon General, had some special words of encouragement for the room. “You have been through the toughest situations, and now you have to focus mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. You have already shown you are capable of turning disability into ability, and this is one more step forward.” I watched as the athletes listened attentively, and I could feel their intensity and excitement.

The passion and determination in the eyes of these athletes is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Their hard work and dedication to training, whether it was in the WTC’s adaptive sports clinics throughout the year or on their own is about to pay off, and I’m excited to see the Army bring home the gold. LTG Horoho gave one last note which sums up the Army’s presence at the Warrior Games. “It’s the warriors’ ethos that will bond this team to victory.”

U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Trains Army Warrior Games Athletes

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games by on April 25, 2012 at 11:19 am {no comments}

By SSG Emily Anderson, WTC STRATCOM

SFC Tom Rose, assigned to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, pictured left, teaches AW2 Veteran Justin Miller additional pistol techniques. Miller is competing in the Warrior Games shooting event on May 3.

The Army Warrior Games shooting team is capitalizing on its extra advantage — the United States Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU).

 “I think a lot of the athletes are going to do very well,” said SFC Janet Sokolowski, the USAMU platoon sergeant for the cross-functional pistol. “The training clinics they went to before the games were really helpful.”

 The USAMU is a world-class shooting team composed of Soldiers. They are considered the best of the best and have gained worldwide respect by winning hundreds of individual and team competitions, including World Championships and Olympic medals.

 “We’ve helped the Army shooting team every year for Warrior Games,” Sokolowski said. “It takes a lot of skill, but several of the athletes are open to learning.”

 “Matter of fact the team we have here has lots of experience and love doing this,” she said about the other members who are putting their experience to helping the Army Warrior Games shooting team to bring home gold.

 The Warrior Games shooting competition consists of athletes accurately using either a pistol or rifle to fire a series of shots at a stationary target during a timed session.

 “I’m learning a lot,” said AW2 Veteran Justin Miller. “With the help of CPL Rawlings (an USAMU Soldier) and the techniques he taught me about the rifle helped me to dial in and take better aim.”

 “This training has been very productive,” Miller said. “I’m learning holding drills for the pistol which helps to stabilize the muscles.”

 Shooting maybe the USAMU main area of expertise, but competing is not their only skill. These Soldiers assist in technical development of military small arms equipment and ammunition. They translate their competitive marksmanship skills into useful combat marksmanship.

 “Once you’ve conditioned yourself to shooting, it becomes 90% mental,” Sokolowski said. “We’re extremely goal oriented.”

Athletes Inspire Athletes

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games by on April 25, 2012 at 9:35 am {no comments}
 By LTC Danny Dudek, WTC G-3 Operations
 

LTC Daniel Dudek, WTC G-3 Operations, applied to be on the 2012 Warrior Games Army swimming team. Dudek is one of more than 25 other wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and Veterans who participated in the swimming clinic to earn a spot on the Army's 2012 Warrior Games swimming team. Photo credit: SSG Emily Anderson

I’m finally here.  After many months of preparation and hard work, I’m finally seeing how big Warrior Games really is.  It didn’t hit until I was on the track today with members of the Army team going through their workouts.   Air Force team athletes were on the other side of the track with the same determination and seriousness of our team.  I feel differently than when I was younger.  Then I wanted to crush everyone not wearing my uniform, now I want everyone to do well and excel and enjoy second place right behind me.  I’m glad to see so many service members overcoming the adversities that brought them here. 

The track at the Air Force Academy is incredible.  Those that know me probably wonder what I’m comparing it to since I’ve always avoided track work, but in Colorado Springs you get that sense that you can’t get much closer to nature.  The air is dry and sun is just warm enough to let you can still enjoy the cool breeze.  It was clear today and easy to get lost into the zone of pushing that racing wheelchair around the track and forgetting about all the people around me.  Of course the air took its toll on my ability to push my lungs as hard as I did at the Fort Belvoir track in Virginia, but that’s why we’re here a little early –  training to get ourselves in the best position to win. 

The pool is also an impressive venue, with plenty of deck space and stands to accommodate as many as you can expect to want to watch swimming.  I was surprised to feel the thin air affect me in the water as well. 

As I look around at all of the Army athletes, I feel lucky to be among such incredible people.  If you’re reading this, you probably already know one… but there are forty nine other athletes just as talented and just as driven to excel.  I plan to do everything I can these next few weeks to show I can earn a place among them.  Go Army!

Office of Soldiers’ Counsel Helps Soldiers Navigate MEB and PEB Process

Filed under General by on April 5, 2012 at 1:34 pm {no comments}

By Jim Wenzel, WTC STRATCOM
Both on and off the battlefield, Soldiers can become wounded, ill, or injured. In all cases, their placement in one of the 29 Warrior Transition Units (WTU) throughout the Army meets a common criteria, the severity of the condition requires at least 6 months of rehabilitative care and complex medical management.  While in the WTU, the Soldier’s sole mission is to heal and prepare for transition back to the force, or to the civilian world as an Army Veteran.

In the WTU, the Soldier is guided through a Comprehensive Transition Plan (CTP) with the help of an interdisciplinary team composed of the Triad of Care (primary care manager, nurse case manager, and squad leader) as well as other medical and non-medical specialists.  The plan is written by the Soldier and covers six domains: Family, physical, social, spiritual, emotional, and career.

For many of these wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, successful transition begins with the results of a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB).  Under the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), the Soldier will receive a comprehensive evaluation of all medical conditions in cooperation with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  Once the medical evaluation is completed, the MEB will determine whether one or more of the Soldier’s medical conditions fail Army medical retention standards.

If so, the Soldier is referred to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), which determines fitness for continued service.  For all conditions found by the PEB to render the Soldier unfit for duty, the PEB assigns a disability rating percentage that has been provided by the VA.  The combined rating of all unfitting conditions will determine whether the Soldier will be separated with severance pay or retired—either temporarily or permanently.  Additionally, one of the primary benefits of the IDES is that the Soldier will also receive the proposed ratings prior to separation for any medical conditions that do not cause him or her to be unfit for continued service.  This greatly facilitates successful planning on the part of the Soldier and Family.

This process can be lengthy and frustrating for some.  This frustration can be compounded if the Soldier receives a result he or she did not want or expect.  Thankfully, with careful planning and timely advice, the uncertainties associated with the Disability Evaluation System (DES) can be greatly reduced.

There are a variety of offices and officials that are standing by to assist Soldiers and Family members during this process. One of the most important is the Office of Soldier’s MEB and PEB Counsel, which provides free legal services to Soldiers involved in the IDES process.  Soldiers’ MEB/PEB Counsel teams consist of military and DOD civilian attorneys and paralegals that are specially trained in the DES.  Their mission is to advise and represent Soldiers throughout the DES and to safeguard their rights throughout the process.  They do NOT represent the Army, the Medical or Physical Evaluation Boards, or the Soldier’s command.  These skilled legal professionals will work with a Soldier to help achieve his or her desired outcome.

It is important for every Soldier entering the process to realize that the path to a particular outcome can be shaped even before the MEB begins.  Consulting with a Soldiers’ Counsel early in the process will improve  a  Soldier’s chance of attaining his or her  goals and will also help reduce  a Soldier’s frustration and anxiety  by ensuring that their MEB packet contains all relevant and accurate information for the MEB and PEB to consider when making their determinations.

To help familiarize wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers with the MEB and PEB process, and the services available to assist them, the Office of Soldiers’ Counsel (OSC) developed a video overview of the process.

Soldiers’ MEB Counsel (SMEBC) personnel are located at hospitals and medical treatment facilities (MTF) throughout the Army.  They are available to Soldiers during every stage of the MEB process to provide counsel when the Soldier receives the informal PEB decision (IPEB).  In addition to high quality advice and advocacy regarding the DES, SMEBC personnel offer general legal assistance services to Soldiers in the WTU and, in some cases, to members of the Soldiers’ Families as well.  These services typically include wills, powers of attorney, notary services and, landlord and tenant disputes. These services may not be available at all installations due to resources and demand, so Soldiers are encouraged to check their local MTF.  Of course, they are at no cost to the servicemember.

If a Soldier desires to challenge the IPEB decision, Soldiers’ PEB Counsel (SPEBC) stand ready to provide advice and representation.  The SPEBC are located at the three PEB sites, Crystal City, Virginia, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.   SPEBC personnel work closely with the SMEBC to create a seamless transition and team that work together to ensure the PEB considers all relevant evidence and reaches the correct determination, whether that is to find the Soldier fit for duty or to ensure all medical conditions are accurately reflected. The SPEBC are experts in assisting wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers who request formal PEB hearings with additional tools for reaching their goals through thorough pre-board preparation, and effective advocacy during negotiations and the hearing, should one need specialized assistance during the appeal process.

The SMEBC and SPEBC are available to assist Soldiers who may wish to challenge ratings by the VA for any medical conditions found to render the Soldier unfit for continued service. There are very tight deadlines, so Soldiers are strongly encouraged to consult with SMEBC or SPEBC as early as possible.  However, even if a Soldier missed a suspense date, they should still contact a legal counsel if they have concerns as there may be an exception that would allow the Soldier to raise his or her concern.

To contact a SMEBC or SPEBC office, or for more information about the Office of Soldiers’ Counsel and its services, visit the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Office of Soldier’s Counsel website.

Army and USA Volleyball Coaches Welcome Warrior Games Sitting Volleyball Hopefuls to UCO Clinic

Filed under Adaptive Sports, General, Warrior Games, Warrior Transition Command by on April 2, 2012 at 3:02 pm {no comments}

Warrior Games Army athletes gathered for the WTC sitting volleyball clinic at the University of Central Oklahoma. Participants trained with USA Volleyball, U.S. Paralympic, and Army coaches to fine tune skills as they competed for final slots on the Army team.

By Erich Langer, WTC Stratcom
The Army’s 2012 Warrior Games sitting volleyball team has been determined. Twelve athletes made it through the selection process and competed over the last four months under the tutelage of Army, USA Volleyball, and U.S. Paralympic coaches.

Athletes trained together at the University of Central Oklahoma’s (UCO) Wellness Center in Edmond, Oklahoma and at a clinic hosted by Penn State University.

“We had a difficult time narrowing the field, but we believe we have the right talent and chemistry to move forward in fielding an Army team that will take gold at the 2012 Warrior Games,” said CPT David Vendt, Army sitting volleyball coach. “I can tell you one thing; our athletes will work their butts off. We will not get out hustled.”

The final team will represent the Army at the U.S. Olympic National Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 30 – May 5.
These finalists trained at UCO, a U.S. Paralympic training site, under the direction of Vendt and U.S. sitting volleyball athlete recruitment coordinator, Elliot Blake.  Blake worked with all of these athletes at previous clinics that also include some Soldiers from the Army team that took silver at the 2011 Warrior Games.

“Movement, movement, movement,” Blake found himself repeating throughout the first day’s practice. “You just can’t underestimate the importance of moving, anticipating the next shot, and where you need to be on the court. If you’re sitting still and watching, you’re going to get beat. It’s easy to be lazy in the gym but the effort to win is the responsibility of every player.”

Blake’s consistent message resonated with the Army athletes. It didn’t take long for each to realize that to play as a team they had to work together.

“We’re not playing a pickup game. You’re practicing and preparing to compete at Warrior Games. Pass the ball. Always be thinking of passing and setting up a teammate for the next shot,” continued Blake, who calmly provided instruction in between drills, scrimmage sessions, and even at water breaks, never missing an opportunity to impress the fundamentals on the players.

“Ok, I want everyone to start calling the ball, when you say ‘mine’ it lets your teammates know you’ve got it, then they can move into position for the next shot. Always think about positioning and being prepared for the follow up  shot,” Blake added.

Blake turned much of the UCO clinic sessions over to Vendt.

“We’re training each morning, taking a mid-day break, and then getting back after it,” said Vendt, an enthusiastic coach who volunteered for this gig after playing the game and setting up the Community-Based Warrior Transition Command (CBWTU) Virginia’s sitting volleyball program.

Vendt serves as the CBWTU-VA nurse case manager. In that capacity he assists Soldiers with employment, education, and transition opportunities.

“I really appreciate Master Sergeant Jongema and Lieutenant Colonel Williams from the Warrior Transition Command (WTC) Adaptive Reconditioning Branch for selecting me to lead this year’s Warrior Games sitting volleyball team,” said Vendt. “We’ve got a great bunch of Soldiers here, and I am committed to do my best to prepare them for the games.

“Working with Coach Blake, UCO, and the U.S. Paralympic folks has been so helpful, each is so knowledgeable,” Vendt added. “They really have embraced athletes and are committed to helping us prepare to be the best.”

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