Subscribe
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.— For retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Donald Burns, challenge has never been something to avoid. It is something to meet head-on.
Growing up in a small town, Burns knew early on that he wanted something bigger for his life. “There wasn't a lot to do,” Burns said. “I saw a lot of people squandering their talent in their town. So I wanted to get out. I didn’t want to get stuck there. I wanted to see the world.”
The Marine Corps gave him exactly that. Burns served for 21 years in the Marine Corps, building a career rooted in leadership, discipline, and service. Along the way, he developed a passion for mentoring younger Marines and creating the kind of leadership environment he wished he had seen early in his own career.
“I saw a lot of animosity, people trying to hold others back in leadership roles,” Burns said. “I wanted to get to a rank where I could stop that from happening… [but] also allow Marines to do what they’re supposed to do: grow and take over my position one day.”
As a member of Team Marine Corps, Burns continues that same mission through adaptive sports. Most recently, he attended the 2026 Team Marine Corps Training Camp at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, in preparation for the 2026 Department of Defense Warrior Games in San Antonio, Texas. He currently competes in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby,sitting volleyball, swimming, rifle, pistol and compound bow archery. While his schedule is demanding, for Burns, adaptive sports are about much more than competition.
“My recovery is based on adaptive sports. Doctors, medications, workouts — all that stuff is great, it’s helpful, but it doesn’t feed the soul. Sports for me feeds my soul,” Burns said. “When I was exposed to wheelchair basketball, it turned me completely around. I did a full 180. [Realizing], wait a second, not only can I do this, but I can do all of it.”
That insight opened the door to a new purpose. Burns first competed at the 2019 Warrior Games while still on active duty. Since then, he has continued pushing himself physically and mentally, competing with the Wolfpack wheelchair basketball team in San Diego while pursuing a larger goal: representing Team USA at the international Invictus Games.
“It’s like Warrior Games in America, but for the whole planet,” Burns said. “All these countries send their recovering service members, [to] compete, get a piece of the action representing their country, but then also sharing their story with everyone.”
While the competition is intense, Burns says the camaraderie is what keeps him coming back. “It’s the only place you’re going to get this,” Burns said. “The brains, working, sweating, blood, tears — all so we can get back out there and feel each one of us is successful.”
Outside of competition, Burns uses his platform to advocate for adaptive sports and encourage other wounded veterans to stay engaged with the world around them. Through public speaking, podcasts, and media interviews, Burns hopes his story can help others take the first step toward recovery.
“The hardest thing when you’re in recovery is, it’s easy to get stuck behind those four walls,” Burns said. “It’s easy to go dark and negative. So, if I can reach one person that’s been in their own personal prison and get them back out into society, then it’s all worth it.”
Burns also highlighted the importance of adaptive equipment and nonprofit organizations that support wounded veterans. Specialized sports wheelchairs and equipment can carry high costs, creating barriers for many athletes entering adaptive sports.
“We don’t get any of this done without adaptive equipment,” Burns said. “Every facet of our life is based upon our ability to adapt. These nonprofits, the ones that are helping, donating, making sure we have that equipment, they’re amazing — for seeing us.”
Despite the obstacles, Burns continues to focus on what is possible rather than what has been lost.
“You’re not injured,” Burns advises other wounded warriors. “You just have to adapt. It’s just like a mission set. If one strategy isn’t working, you reset and try another strategy so you can be successful.”
For Burns, adaptive sports are more than recovery. They are purpose, connection, and proof that life after injury can still be filled with challenge, growth, and meaning.
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2026 15:23 |
| Story ID: | 565661 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Adapt, Overcome, Compete: Burns Finds Purpose Through Adaptive Sports, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
