MILLINGTON, Tenn. (May 25, 2023) – A Suffolk, Virginia, resident 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.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Maxwell Ocloo 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.
“My accident set me back years from my fitness level at the time,” said Ocloo. ”Getting fitted and actually being able to compete in the Warrior Games is the most motivating aspect of my life.”
During the 10 days of competition, Ocloo will compete in archery, cycling, field, indoor rowing and sitting volleyball.
Hosted by U.S. Army Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC) the 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 in the Navy means paying it forward,” added Ocloo. “Freedom is certainly not free.”
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.
By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach
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