By John M. Rosenberg
Warrior Transition Command
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — Shooting competition in the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games began early in the Lejeune Field Tent. In taking aim at adding to its overall medal count heading into Friday’s action, Army assistant shooting coach Ray Arredondo asserted that the team will “be all that they can be.”
By the end of the match Army walked away with two medals; one by Veteran Master Sgt. Roden Galloway of San Antonio, Texas and another by Danbury, Connecticut native Sgt. Jodie Lemons.
The first order of business was the preliminary relays in the rifle prone category, followed by that of pistol and rifle standing. The top eight athletes in each category advanced to the finals.
Galloway went on to qualify in the prone SH2 category as Lemons, who medaled during rifle trials at Fort Bliss, Texas March 29-April 2, advanced in the prone SH1. Also qualifying was Veteran Cpt. Frank Barroquiero, infantry officer from Brick, New Jersey, in the prone SH1 classification, and Army Spc. Laurel Cox of Standardsville, Virginia in the prone open category.
Firing from a distance of 10-meters, air rifle competition is said to be the fastest growing form of shooting sport among American high school students. In order to succeed one must exhibit a great deal of discipline and concentration.
Staff Sgt. Billy Meeks, a silver medalist in archery in addition to competing in shooting, said “It’s all about mental focus -- the keenness, the sharpness.” Echoing this viewpoint is Lemons who, upon winning bronze in the SH1 category said “I get so into the zone when I’m shooting that I don’t even know my score. After making a shot I try to focus and to regroup.”
Lemons said that she had no expectations coming in to the event. In addition to the challenge of shooting to the best of her ability she also finds it difficult to have to compete against her fellow “brothers in arms.”
According Lemons the chance to compete in the Army Trials at Fort Bliss as well as the DOD Warrior Games in Quantico is both a tremendous honor and an opportunity for her as well as the rest of the team to push through their injuries and to transition. “Participating has been not only a life changer but a life saver,” said Lemons.