COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The All-Marine shooting team consists of 18 athletes who competed in the 2011 Warrior Games preliminary rounds. The Marines went head to head with athletes from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Special Operations Command. Victorious in their pursuit, the Marines advanced all 18 of their athletes to the final round that will be held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 19.
Marine veteran Cpl. Angel Gomez was one of the Marine Corps’ athletes participating in shooting. At last years Games, Gomez managed to bring home silver in recumbent cycling for the All-Marine team. This year he plans to advance even further.
“When I participated in the Games last year I did not know what I got myself into,” said Gomez. “I thought that I blew it because I was nervous. This year I am more mentally and physical fit.”
At this year’s Warrior Games, Gomez will compete in shooting prone, shooting standing and recumbent cycling. He has already earned his slot in the shooting finals by scoring 379 out of 400 points in the air rifle standing and 388 out of 400 in the air rifle prone.
While serving in Helmand province, Gomez was struck by an improvised explosive device. As a result, Gomez suffers from traumatic brain injury, which does not allow him full use of the left side of this body. But this doesn’t slow him down.
“I never expected to have this opportunity,” said Gomez. “I continue to prove to myself every day that my injuries will not slow me down. I will compete. I will continue to have faith in myself and my abilities.”
The Warrior Games continues to provide Marine athletes an opportunity to focus on their abilities through athletic competition while building camaraderie. Maj. John Schwent (USMC ret.) and All-Marine team shooting coach believes that the Warrior Games are beneficial for Marines, regardless of their injury.
“The Marine athletes might not share the same injuries but they do engage in the same feelings, circumstances and recovery struggles,” said Schwent. “The Games allows them to share a common goal, strive for greatness and unite with individuals that understand what they have undergone.”
Schwent has faith that the All-Marine shooting team will continue to set records throughout the shooting competition.
“The Marine Corps shooting team was the only team to compete and have 100 percent of their athletes qualify,” said Schwent. “This feat is a testament of our dynamic training regimen, experienced coaching staff, and our Marines unstoppable determination and athletic ability. I am very proud of all of our athletes. I cannot wait to see our Marines’ hard work and discipline pay off at tomorrow’s final round.”
Established in 2007, the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment was created to provide and facilitate non-medical care to combat and non-combat wounded, ill, and injured Marines, and sailors attached to or in direct support of Marine units and their family members in order to assist them as they return to duty or transition to civilian life. The Regimental Headquarters element, located in Quantico, Va., commands the operations of two Wounded Warrior Battalions located at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Camp Lejeune, N.C., and multiple detachments in locations around the globe.
For more information about the Wounded Warrior Regiment or the 2011 Warrior Games, go to: www.woundedwarriorregiment.org or call the Sgt. Merlin German Wounded Warrior Call Center 24/7 at (877) 487-6299.
Marines and Marine veterans who are interested in participating in next year’s Warrior Games should contact the WAR program staff at WWSports@usmc.mil.