Photo By Vernishia Vaughn | U.S. Army Master Sgt. La Shae Anthony competes during the rowing event at the Army...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas – March 13, 2026 – For U.S. Army Master Sgt. La Shae Anthony, recovery and readiness isn’t defined by circumstance. It’s defined by commitment.
As a senior human resources noncommissioned officer assigned to the Soldier Recovery Unit at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Anthony has spent more than 16 years developing Soldiers and strengthening formations. Now, as a first-time competitor at the 2026 Army Trials hosted by the Army Recovery Care Program, at Fort Bliss, Texas, she’s demonstrating the Warrior Ethos extends beyond the battlefield and into recovery, a mission she says is personal.
“As a senior HR NCO, I’ve always led with a ‘less of me, more of you’ mindset,” she said. “My mission is to stay in the Army. I want to continue developing and empowering the next generation of Soldiers.”
Living the Warrior Ethos
The Warrior Ethos states:
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
Following a training injury and subsequent deep vein thrombosis diagnosis, she redirected the words she recited throughout her Army career toward her own physical and mental recovery.
“Healing became another one of my missions,” she said. “I know that if I want to return to active duty, I have to remain mentally and physically strong, applying the Warrior Ethos.”
Once a competitive bodybuilder, being reassigned to the SRU exposed Anthony to adaptive sports, where she focused on rehabilitation along with endurance and resilience.
On top of the care and rehabilitation received through the ARCP and the SRU, Anthony shares she personally invested in months of physical therapy, a personal trainer, stretch therapy and Pilates to rebuild her strength and mobility.
“Understanding that I can still stay active, though it looks different now, I remain steadfast in my faith,” she said. “I’ll persevere through my ongoing recovery as I continue putting in the work to heal.”
Her commitment extended beyond physical rehabilitation. While navigating the Integrated Disability Evaluation System process, she volunteered at the IDES office.
“Volunteering at the IDES office was necessary to maintain and strengthen my human resources competencies,” she added. “I’m putting in the physical and professional work to stay in the Army.”
Rise Up in Recovery
In collaboration with the SRUs, ARCP encourages a tireless commitment to duty and a mission first mindset, and the Fort Campbell SRU motto “Rise Up,” reinforces it. For Anthony, the motto reinforces the ARCP’s emphasis on selfless service and healing to get back into the fight, alongside the Army’s broader commitment to readiness and care for its Soldiers.
Anthony’s participation in the 2026 Army Trials reflects those commitments in action.
“Like an eagle that soars on storm winds, adversity has strengthened my grit to never quit,” she said. “Competing in the Army Trials reflects my fortitude, discipline and determination. I’m meeting milestones like lifting weights, running and jumping as I prayerfully return to the fight.”
Her faith remains central to that preparation.
“My favorite Scripture, Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ fuels my perseverance,” she said.
Mission First, Always
“Like gold refined by fire, what can be seen as adversity has strengthened my purpose to continue to serve and to train the next generation of Soldiers with unwavering dedication,” said Anthony.”
Anthony’s desire to return to active duty reflects a mission-first mindset rooted in selfless service.
By definition, selfless-service means placing the needs of others before oneself. Throughout her career, Anthony shared she has mentored young Soldiers entering the Army and has always been determined to equip them for success.
“There are many leaders who retire at this rank,” she said. “I don’t want to retire. I want to stay in and make sure our Soldiers are trained up.”
At the Army Trials, daily training and competition tests more than physical endurance. They reinforce resilience, unity and the Army’s enduring warrior culture.
“The way things are done may look different now,” Anthony said. “But it’s getting done. I’m still accomplishing the mission, personally or professionally.”
Through her recovery, her leadership and her example, Anthony embodies the Warrior Ethos. She’s placing the mission first by committing to her healing with a strong commitment to never leave a fallen comrade behind, especially the young Soldiers she continues to and looks forward to mentoring.
At Fort Bliss, amid the intensity of the Army Trials competition, her message is clear: setbacks don’t define a Soldier’s career. Commitment does, and for Master Sgt. La Shae Anthony, her fight to serve continues.
About Army Trials: The Army Trials is the Army’s premier adaptive sports competition for wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and qualifying veterans. The event showcases sport as a platform for rehabilitation, unity, health and fitness. The Army Trials underscores the Army’s commitment to readiness, the warrior ethos, and empowering soldiers to overcome their injury or illness. The top 40 competitors will be selected to represent Team Army at the 2026 Warrior Games.
| Date Taken: | 03.13.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 03.13.2026 14:56 |
| Story ID: | 559820 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | TRENTON, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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