Photo Information

Referees for the 4th Annual Joint Services Sitting Volleyball Tournament toss a coin to determine which team will serve at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. on Nov. 20, 2014. Every November since 2008, the Department of Defense and each branch of the armed forces promotes wounded warrior programs, activities and personal feats of recovery through Warrior Care Month.

Photo by Cpl. Eric Keenan

Injured, ill veterans volley for recovery at Pentagon

21 Nov 2014 | Cpl. Eric Keenan The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

In honor of Warrior Care Month, the Office of Warrior Care Policy hosted the 4th Annual Joint Services Sitting Volleyball Tournament at the Pentagon Athletic Center in Arlington, Virginia on Nov. 20, 2014.

Every November since 2008, the Department of Defense and each branch of the armed forces promotes wounded warrior programs, activities and personal feats of recovery through Warrior Care Month.

“It would be a huge challenge to become disabled, and the opportunity to play a sport and be part of a team again, I think, would be great,” said Elvin Chandra, head coach for the Marine Corps team.

Service members and veterans from the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Special Operations Command recovering from illness and physical and mental injuries represented their respective branches in a series of 20-minute matches.

Sitting volleyball is an adaptive sport designed to be playable by any person regardless of their ability or disability.  The same rules of volleyball apply except the net is lower and the players cannot stand during the match.

 The two teams with the most wins, Marine Corps and Army, went on to the championship match.

The Army and Marine Corps teams battled it out in a “two-out-of-three” style championship. Two matches of 25 possible points and a third overtime match of 15 if they tied.

The Marine Corps team took home the trophy winning the final match 25 to 23. This is the second year in a row the Marine Corps team has won the tournament.

 “They came and played well and had some good matches but the Marines ended up taking the win,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Smith, a player on the Marine Corps team.

The tournament was one of many activities, which took place throughout Warrior Care Month.

“It gives us something to look forward to, we’re competing against like minded people,” said Army Staff Sgt. Roy Rodriguez, SOCOM team player.

In between the initial matches and the championship, leaders from the different services and the teams joined forces to compete in the Senior Leaders Match.  

“It’s really important for them to see that their leaders care and are trying to make things happen for them,” said Marine Corps Capt. Collin Edwards, Wounded Warrior Regiment.