Photo By Pfc. Anh Siev | U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Jodie Lemons, Walter Reed Warrior Transition Battalion,...... read more read more
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By Brandy Ostanik
Medical Department Activity – Alaska PAO
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. – Athletes with air rifles and air pistols lined up at Lejeune Field Tent June 26 during the shooting competition on the eighth day of the 2015 DoD Warrior Games at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
With a distance of 10 meters between them and their electronic target, athletes had eight minutes to sight their targets and prepare for elimination rounds that would cut the field to the top eight, and ultimately the top three, in air pistol, air rifle standing and air rifle prone.
The sport of shooting is a challenge of accuracy and control, requiring athletes to focus solely on their shot; a welcome diversion for many athletes participating in the event.
Trigger time is my happy time, said U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Jodie Lemons, who has been competing in air rifle for less than a year.
“This is all mental,” said Lemons, who finished with a bronze medal in the air rifle prone SH1 division. “It is mind over matter and it really puts us back in a good place.”
Like Lemons, U.S. Army veteran Capt. Frank Barroqueiro says when he is shooting he is able to completely clear his mind and think about nothing but that one shot.
“I’m honestly thinking just about my shot process, my steps, what I have to do to make those steps and I concentrate on getting the best trigger squeeze I can,” said Barroqueiro.
In addition to shooting allowing athletes to clear their minds, it also gives many a feeling of purpose.
“Being a part of the team means I have a mission,” said Barroqueiro. “I have comrades on my left and right again and we have a common mission.”
That mission, says Lemons, was to do their best and take home as many medals as possible for Team Army, but her bigger mission is for healing.
“This program is not a life-changer, it really is a life-saver,” said Lemons. “It brings us back; it’s our life after injury.”
The 2015 DoD Warrior Games, which continue through June 28, is an adaptive sports competition for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. Approximately 250 athletes, representing teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations Command and the British Armed Forces are competing in archery, cycling, track and field, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming and wheelchair basketball.
| Date Taken: | 06.26.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2015 10:17 |
| Story ID: | 168395 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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