MILLINGTON, Tenn. – A native of Rogersville, Tennessee, will join more than 250 seriously wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans at the Department of Defense (DOD) Warrior Games Challenge July 18-26, 2025, at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
U.S. Navy Lt. Ashley Bowery will be competing against athletes representing the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force and U.S. Special Operations Command. During the nine-day competition, Bowery will compete in indoor rowing, precision air sports and swimming.
Hosted by U.S. Army Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC), the DOD organizes an annual premier and elite adaptive-sports competition, the Warrior Games. This year is the 15th anniversary, highlighting the exceptional physical skills and mental toughness of seriously wounded, ill and injured active-duty and veteran service members. Though there are medals distributed during Warrior Games, the competition most highly celebrates personal tenacity, perseverance and the triumph of the spirit.
Bowery joined the Navy in 2019 because she was inspired by her grandfather's stories from the USS Forrestal supercarrier. Bowery participated in the Navy's JROTC program in high school, where she found further encouragement from her instructors and ultimately followed in her grandfather’s footsteps to join.
Bowery's care team suggested she try sports and participate in her first introductory adaptive camp in January 2025. Bowery found precision air sports to be her favorite.
Away from her teammates, Bowery spends time with her family, her dog and cat, and volunteering. She trains future service dogs for placement with veterans in need. In 2024, Bowery also served as a legislative fellow to a U.S. congressperson.
“I had many achievements from this time, but the one I am most proud of is getting our bill that helps prevent veteran suicides passed into law," Bowery added.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
For more information about the 2025 DoD Warrior Games Challenge, visit https://dodwarriorgames.com.
About Adaptive Athletics
Team Navy is part of the Navy Wounded Warrior’s adaptive athletics program. Serious wounds, illness, or injury can profoundly impact that way of life, often significantly altering their physical capabilities. Adaptive athletics have been modified to meet the abilities of injured or ill individuals. They help wounded warriors rebuild strength and endurance while also drawing inspiration from their teammates. Sports also help build self-esteem, lower stress levels and invite service members to rejoin a team environment. All wounded warriors enrolled in the Navy Wounded Warrior program are encouraged to include adaptive athletics in their recovery.
About Navy Wounded Warrior
Navy Wounded Warrior is an official Navy program that serves as an unbiased advocate, bridging the needs of commands and care teams with those of sailors and Coast Guardsmen in the midst of navigating to a new normal after a serious wound, illness, or injury. Since 2009, Navy Wounded Warrior has helped more than 12,000 seriously wounded, ill and injured sailors and Coast Guardsmen, along with their families and caregivers. The program provides individually tailored and comprehensive non-medical assistance designed to optimize the success of enrollees’ recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.
Contact Navy Wounded Warrior at 855-NAVY WWP / 855-628-9997, or email navywoundedwarrior.fct@navy.mil.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
For more information about the 2025 DoD Warrior Games Challenge, visit https://dodwarriorgames.com.
About Adaptive Athletics
Team Navy is part of the Navy Wounded Warrior’s adaptive athletics program. Serious wounds, illness, or injury can profoundly impact that way of life, often significantly altering their physical capabilities. Adaptive athletics have been modified to meet the abilities of injured or ill individuals. They help wounded warriors rebuild strength and endurance while also drawing inspiration from their teammates. Sports also help build self-esteem, lower stress levels and invite service members to rejoin a team environment. All wounded warriors enrolled in the Navy Wounded Warrior program are encouraged to include adaptive athletics in their recovery.
About Navy Wounded Warrior
Navy Wounded Warrior is an official Navy program that serves as an unbiased advocate, bridging the needs of commands and care teams with those of sailors and Coast Guardsmen in the midst of navigating to a new normal after a serious wound, illness, or injury. Since 2009, Navy Wounded Warrior has helped more than 12,000 seriously wounded, ill and injured sailors and Coast Guardsmen, along with their families and caregivers. The program provides individually tailored and comprehensive non-medical assistance designed to optimize the success of enrollees’ recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.
Contact Navy Wounded Warrior at 855-NAVY WWP / 855-628-9997, or email navywoundedwarrior.fct@navy.mil.