Photo By MaryTherese Griffin | U.S. Army Sgt. Jeffery Chavez, left, and Staff Sgt. Coty Tuck, right, draw their bows...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, TEXAS- Staff Sgt. Coty Tuck never dreamed he would need a Soldier Recovery Unit, let alone be representing the Army at the upcoming Warrior Games this July in Colorado Springs. “It was a rush of great feelings finding out I was selected to be a member of Team Army! Thinking back to when I first heard about the games, I never believed I would be where I am now,” said Tuck who just competed at Army Trials on Fort Bliss Texas with over 60 other wounded, ill or injured Soldier Athletes for a spot on Team Army.
The journey to where he is now started with a simple cold. Tuck was on deployment in 2023 when he visited the doctor. While he had the doctor’s attention, he asked if he would examen a mole on his back that had been looking odd over the previous year. “I was in the PX with my buddies when I got the call. I have aggressive melanoma. I didn’t know what to think. The doc made me go to the hospital right away for treatment,” said Tuck.
He began his recovery in Germany and ultimately ended up at Walter Reed’s Soldier Recovery Unit. “Whenever I got to Walter Reed, they got the sample from Germany and all that and tested it and they said they didn't get it all. They went in and took a much larger spot so now I have superman's logo on my back just a “S” where they cut it out,” he said chuckling.
He says he can’t give enough credit to his doctors and the adaptive reconditioning staff. “The folks at Walter Reed were amazing. They answered all my questions with confidence and helped me with every step I’ve taken to get here today,” said the married father of two.
His treatment was intense, but something was hurting his recovery. ”Right after the treatment, my adrenaline stopped working, so I have almost no cortisol throughout the day. I take medicines, and if I don't, then I have zero energy. So, generally, I’m OK. Sometimes, I still have my tired days, but I think my excitement was high enough at the Army Trials in El Paso. I had plenty of energy,” said Tuck.
He showed that energy on the wheelchair rugby court like a champ. “In my opinion, this is the best sport in the Warrior Games. It’s a total adrenaline rush. I played football in high school, a full-body sport, which takes me back. Coach Joel is an awesome guy. He’s not too harsh but just harsh enough,” laughed Tuck.
Tuck competed in air rifle, archery, discus, shot put and ran track, as well as the three team sports of wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, and sitting volleyball. Competition aside, Tuck views this gathering of like-minded Soldiers in a different light. “I still think that you know it's all about helping the guy beside you so if I'm able to help anybody there or it's about helping them learn something then I'm gonna do my best to help,” said the Mississippi native.
Looking ahead to the biggest competition of his life Tuck is exhaling with a smile knowing this recovery journey is about more than adaptive sports. “I am grateful, that I have a chance to compete next to all of my fellow military family. I’m looking forward to furthering my journey in adaptive sports and forging a closer relationship with my teammates. This is an experience I will never forget.”
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2025 11:35 |
| Story ID: | 496006 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 26 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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