Photo By 94th Airlift Wing | Jason Posey, an Army veteran, gets some lessons from coach Bobby Brewer on improving...... read more read more
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By Chanel S. Weaver, Public Health Command
FORT BLISS, Texas - Just a few short years ago, Jason Posey, a former Army sergeant, was suffering from severe depression.
Although the average person smiles several times a day, Posey felt that he had nothing to smile about.
A medical injury caused him to lose two jobs—one as an Army firefighter and the other as a computer technician—he was suffering from a bitter divorce; and his meager income of $400 a month was not nearly enough to provide for his living expenses.
Posey’s woes began in 2003, when he was injured in a massive fire at Camp Victory, Kuwait. As the lead firefighter at the military camp, he saved the life of an Army officer by pulling him from a tent that was engulfed in flames.
Posey’s actions would eventually earn him an Army Commendation Medal, and the gratitude of the nation for following the Warrior ethos of never leaving a fallen comrade behind.
But Posey was shy about receiving so much attention.
“I didn’t feel that I was a hero or anything, and didn’t think I needed a medal,” said Posey. “I was just doing my job.”
Posey’s good deed did not go unpunished, however. His body suffered tremendously in the days ahead.
“My knee was torn up, my spine was hurt, and I fractured my neck,” said Posey.
He was eventually medically evacuated from Kuwait, and the severity of his injuries caused him to redeploy to his home unit at Fort Benning, Georgia. He would eventually be medically discharged from the Army, and his will to live was greatly diminished.
“I was suffering from severe physical pain, and I lost my prestigious career as an Army firefighter,” said Posey.
To make matters worse, he also lost his spouse during a bitter divorce. The man who was deemed a hero just a few months ago had no resolve to live.
“I wanted to commit suicide,” he said.
Today, the Army has Warrior Transition Units to help Soldiers who have been injured in war transition back into civilian life or return to the military. But there was no such unit available for Posey.
While he met with care providers and various personnel to help him cope with his depression, it seemed the sessions would not motivate him.
It would take some words from his 6-year-old son to eventually spur him to action.
“My son came home from school one day and said, ‘Dad, I want to be like you when I grow up…just sitting down playing video games all day.’ ”
These words caused Posey to reflect on his life, and he knew he needed to make a change.
“I realized that I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself,” said Posey. “There were people who wanted to help me, and I needed to let them help me,” he said.
Posey ultimately discovered something that sparked his interest: the Army Trials.
At Army Trials, wounded, ill and injured Soldier and veteran athletes compete in Paralympic-type events including archery, cycling, track and field, shooting, swimming, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball. Army Trials help determine who will represent the Army team at the Department of Defense Warrior Games in June at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.
Posey thought participating in the Trials would give him some motivation, but he was a little concerned about competing against individuals who might have more severe disabilities.
“I didn’t want to compete against a guy in a wheelchair,” he said. “That didn’t seem fair, when I have use of both of my legs.”
Posey eventually discovered there were different categories based on a person’s level of disability.
As Posey began to prepare for the competitions, his motivation and drive returned.
“I was finally doing something for me,” he said. “I felt useful again.”
An all-around athlete, Posey will compete in his first Army Trials March 29-April 2 at Fort Bliss, Texas. He will compete in several categories including swimming, cycling, archery and shooting.
“There’s a lot of therapy in sports,” said Posey.
His swim coach agrees that participating in sports teaches Soldiers resiliency.
“While I enjoy helping the athletes prepare for the competitions, I’m more concerned with helping them with the ability to bounce back from adversity and adjust to the challenges of life,” said Bobby Brewer, a former national championship swimmer who serves as Posey’s swim coach.
Today, Posey, who thought he had nothing to live for, has a new outlook on life. He eventually remarried, became a much happier person and a better father and spouse.
“Ever since I started participating in the Army Trials, my wife told me that I am a joyful person,” said Posey. “It feels great to have my smile back.”
| Date Taken: | 03.26.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.26.2015 23:12 |
| Story ID: | 158300 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 257 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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