Fort Benning's Josh Olson nominated for spot on 2012 U.S. Paralympic team

Sgt. 1st Class Josh Olson, a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning who lost his right leg in Iraq, has been nominated for a spot on the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Team.

If approved by the U.S. Olympic Committee, Olson will be the first active-duty soldier nominated for the Paralympic Games and the first active-duty service member ever nominated to compete in shooting at the games.

“I want to thank my family and friends for all the support, understanding and sacrifice, my coaches for the instruction and world-class mentorship, and finally, the U.S. Army for providing the opportunity to continue to serve and represent the USA on the world stage,” Olson said in a statement.

Based on the International Paralympic Committee’s two-part qualification system and the U.S. earning a second slot for minimum qualifying score allocations, Olson qualified for the team in the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

In 2011, Olson placed sixth in the mixed 10m air rifle prone shooting event at the IPC World Cup in Sydney, Australia. He finished seventh in mixed 50m rifle prone at the IPC World Cup Alicante and eighth at the IPC World Cup USA at Fort Benning.

In 2003, Olson was serving with the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, when he was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. He was treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for 18 months before he was assigned to the Marksmanship Unit.

Olson has become an advocate for wounded warriors, leading an effort to establish a Paralympic team and to allow wounded warriors to continue to serve on active duty.

He also is involved in “Operation Proper Exit,” helping other veterans recovering from combat wounds visit where they were injured in Iraq.

As part of the Total Army Analysis, officials are considering expansion of the Marksmanship Unit for Wounded Warriors who are considered able to continue serving on duty as instructors and Paralympic shooters and instructors.

Lt. Col. Dan Hodne, commander of the Marksmanship Unit, said Olson is a trailblazer for the Army.

“His unique Army story speaks volumes of the notion of ability rather than disability, and exemplifies professional soldiers who all must be Army strong.”