Skip to main content

Military Health System

Wounded Sailor Ready to Lead Navy Wounded Warrior Marksmen to Victory

Image of Roel Espino and Retired AZ3 Elizabeth “Ellie” Smith at Navy Warrior Games Training Camp. Roel Espino and Retired AZ3 Elizabeth “Ellie” Smith at Navy Warrior Games Training Camp

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care | Warrior Care

While the Military Adaptive Sports Program has opened the door for hundreds of recovering service members, their families, and their caregivers – for one athlete this program has led to a special opportunity.

Previous Warrior Games Navy athlete, Roel Espino, recently transitioned from athlete to coach. With his first Warrior Games in 2014 in Norfolk, Virginia, Espino competed in shooting and archery.

But at the Warrior Game Trials on Naval Base Coronado this May, Espino helped coach the Navy's Wounded Warrior Shooting Team. His journey from recovering service member to coach is one to recognize.

Espino's wounded warrior journey began in 2013, when he was involved in a motorcycle accident.

"I had a lot of abrasions, but more cognitive and neurological issues from the crash, such as TBI, PTSD, and short-term memory loss," added Espino.

When getting involved in adaptive sports, Espino added, "I had reservations coming in as an athlete, I was able body, so nobody was able to see the wounds from which I was suffering. After being in it, you receive knowledge that comes with participating, such as networking, benefits, and additional programs that are here to help you."

After participating in the Warrior Games in 2017, Espino retired from the Navy and finished competing as a wounded warrior. However, he continued to shoot on local shooting ranges in southern California.

When an opening became available at Navy Wounded Warrior for a team shooting coach, coaches Bob McMullin and David Kime recommended Espino. Espino shares, "I was hired as a coach, 2 years now, and it has been exciting! It is fun seeing the athletes progress and they are really blowing my mind."

"Coming back as a coach, I could apply military situations to things on the range" explained the Navy veteran. "Comparing military experiences to these competitions translates a lot better for the military athletes. Adaptive sports build your confidence and lets you know that just because you're hurt doesn't mean you're out of the fight."

Espino added, "Adaptive sports changes lives. It teaches you different ways of how to play a sport and life skills. I know a common theme among the athletes is that they are still angry at their situation and getting through and over that anger is a huge hurdle when trying to apply everyday life."

Espino continued, " I tell every athlete, "You could either be the life of your own pity party or you could do something about it. I've had athletes with terminal illnesses come back and bounce back stronger than the last time I saw them. It makes you really appreciate everything around you. If they can do it, then so can I."

Although the past two years the Warrior Games have been cancelled due to the pandemic, Espino shared, "I understand the need to cancel, especially when some of the athletes have immune issues. It was crushing for some of the athletes, but you must look at it into a positive aspect. We couldn't compete this year, but that gives us more time to prepare. And we are prepared!"

"Representing the Navy as a coach is exciting. I thought my last time would be in 2017 when I competed in Hawaii, but they called me back and I'm able to wear the same colors again," continued Espino. "Warrior Games matter because these men and women made a promise to the American people that they would put their lives on the line for our freedoms. Unfortunately, sometimes we get hurt. Warrior Games is only a fraction of what we could do for American soldiers and veterans. You can't put a price on happiness."

This year, the Warrior Games will take place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida.

You also may be interested in...

Driving After Traumatic Brain Injury at Womack Army Medical Center

Article Around MHS
3/8/2023
The Womack Army Medical Center uses a rehabilitation vehicle that builds confidence for a service member, diligently working to regain independence in their life after a traumatic brain injury. (Photo by Sameria Zavala, Womack Army Medical Center)

Traumatic brain injuries can end military careers and create great strains on military families. That's why the occupational therapists at Womack Army Medical Center have created a therapy that most of us take for granted to get injured soldiers back on the road to recovery.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | Warrior Care | Be a Brain Warrior: Protect. Treat. Optimize.

How One Officer is Chasing Her Dreams

Article Around MHS
2/21/2023
U.S. Navy Lt. Tia Blythe

Her civilian physical therapy job wasn't enough. That's when Tia Laine Blythe decided to take her specialized skills to the military. Follow along with now U.S. Navy Lt. Tia Laine Blythe's military career path that has led to numerous awards, distinctions, and a whole new level of professional satisfaction.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care | Physical Fitness

There's No Excuse to Not Be Living Your Full Potential

Article Around MHS
1/17/2023
Military personnel healing in hospital bed

Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Armando Mejia was severely injured due to an explosion and firefight in Mosul, Iraq, in 2004. Staying in a medical hold while recovering, Mejia was eventually one of the first to experience the Army Recovery Care Program when it was stood up as Warrior Care and Transition.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care | Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Injured Fort Bliss K-9 Handler Makes Inspiring Return to Duty

Article Around MHS
1/10/2023
Military personnel with K9

A military working dog handler assigned to the 93rd Military Police battalion survives a horrific motorcycle crash with a speeding pickup driver, but his prognosis was grim. Find out how dedication, motivation, and his sweet connection with a K-9 got U.S. Army Spc. Cade Brown back on the road to recovery.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care | Health Readiness & Combat Support

Soldier Adapts to Life Changes, Ends up Paralympic Athlete

Article Around MHS
12/19/2022
Christina Truesdale competes for Team USA in the World Cup

It’s no secret. It’s very easy to give up and much harder to carry on in times of adversity. U.S. Army Maj. (Ret.) Christina Truesdale, competitive cyclist, has a very different take on that secret, and it has to do with surrendering. Find out how, in the face of adversity, that sweet surrender landed her on a new set of wheels.

Recommended Content:

Real Warriors Campaign | Warrior Care

Striking Out With Adaptive Reconditioning

Article Around MHS
12/15/2022
Military personnel at bowling alley

Debilitating injuries can end livelihoods - including Military careers. Meet the Soldiers who find healing - physical and emotional - by enjoying one of America's favorite pastimes.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care | Warrior Care

As a Military Family, We Do What We Do with Faith, Hope, Love, and Prayers

Article Around MHS
12/8/2022
Capt. Luis Avilla with his family.

The average military family could relocate ten times or more. There are changes in schools, jobs, and homes. But that's the easy part. See how one military family, like so many others, held it together when the going got very tough.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care | Real Warriors Campaign

It’s all About Adapting…When it Comes to Disability

Article Around MHS
10/19/2022
Meagan Gorsuch participates in downhill skiing

Meagan Gorsuch, a Kirtland U.S. Air Force Base military spouse, knows all about adapting to her disabilities. She has been deafblind since birth. See how she has adapted to a world that can still be a challenge for the disabled.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care

Return to Duty: An SRU Soldier's Story of Recovery and Resiliency

Article Around MHS
9/12/2022
Fort Stewart Soldier Recovery Unit insignia

Capt. Viola Howard, an Iron Guardian at the Fort Stewart Soldier Recovery Unit, injured herself during her tour of duty in Germany and was transferred to Fort Stewart She set her mind to recover, rehabilitate, rebuild and ultimately return to active duty.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care

378th Medical Partnerships Sustain Life and Mission

Article Around MHS
6/1/2022
Military medical personnel perform mock emergency care

Air Force medical contingency response team members, with the 378th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, perform mock emergency medical care for a simulated casualty at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Warrior Care

Multiservice medical providers, medics take on dive injuries, treatments

Article Around MHS
5/31/2022
Military personnel in pool for training

A group of medical providers and medics recently spent two weeks at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Dive Center here learning how to treat patients who may have suffered a dive injury.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Warrior Care

JBLM Soldiers Start Preparing for Warrior Games With Hard Training

Article Around MHS
4/19/2022
Military personnel training for Army Trials and DoD Warrior Games

The DoD Warrior Games 2022 may be months away, but the Soldiers of Task Force Phoenix at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in Tacoma, Washington already are deep into an intense training regimen in the hopes of securing some shiny hardware this August in Texas.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care
Showing results 1 - 12 Page 1 of 1
Refine your search
Last Updated: July 08, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery