All of
them are wounded warriors, still recovering from battle injuries.
And though
they all fight for the same side, tomorrow they begin to compete with each
other.
Soldiers
representing Forts Gordon, Benning, Stewart, and Jackson are gearing up for the
2012 Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) Games at Fort Gordon this week.
"We're
kind of making a little rivalry, and making a little camaraderie," says LT
Col. Brian McCormack of the Ft. Gordon WTB. "They're competing against
other warriors who are going through the exact same thing."
The
soldiers compete in sports like cycling, swimming, and wheelchair basketball,
all striving for the coveted Champions' Cup.
But
McCormack says the competition is also critical in helping the warriors in
their recovery process.
"They
can still participate and still do these things and still have athletics,"
he says. "They don't have to give that up, which is important mentally,
emotionally, and physically."
The
soldiers say the games can help boost the necessary confidence to get through
the tough times of transition.
"Where
the mind goes, the body goes," says Sgt. Ian Valines, competing for Ft.
Stewart. "It's just about mentally getting in there and saying, 'I can
still do this.'"
"It
allows them to say, 'Ok, I can still compete and I can still do great
things,'" says CW2 Alan Hart, representing Ft. Gordon.
But Lt.
Col. McCormack says regardless of who is atop the scoreboard Thursday, everyone
competing is already a victor.
"We're
just here to have a good time and compete," he says. "There are no
losers."
But that
doesn't mean those competing aren't already talking a little smack.
"You
have a prediction on who's taking that trophy home?" asks Fox 54's Jake
Wallace.
"That's
staying here at Ft. Gordon where it has been since it was incepted,"
laughs Hart.
Fox 54
will have coverage of the Games all week.
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