U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program


The U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program is a military unit whose primary mission is to support nationally and internationally ranked soldiers in participating on the U.S. Olympic team. The program is headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Objectives

According to the U.S. Army, WCAP provides active duty, National Guard and reserve soldiers the opportunity to train and compete at national and international sports competitions with the ultimate goal of selection to the U.S. Olympic team and U.S. Paralympic team, while maintaining a professional military career and promoting the U.S. Army.

Selection

Any soldier-athlete may apply for selection provided:
  • Soldier is in good military standing
  • The sport the soldier is applying for is an Olympic sport
  • Soldier has completed Advanced Individual Training or Officer Basic Course
  • Soldier meets sport specific entry standards, which normally consists of attaining a high national ranking or being selected to a U.S. National Team for international competition
  • WCAP is not a developmental program; it targets athletes who have achieved world class status in their sport

    WCAP Olympians

2024

During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France five soldier-athletes represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXXIII Olympiad.
A further three individuals partook in the 2024 Paralympic Games:
  • Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Marks, Swimming
  • Sgt. 1st Class John Wayne Joss III, Shooting
  • Staff Sgt. Kevin Nguyen, Shooting

    2022

During the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China five soldier-athletes represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXIV Olympiad.
During the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan twelve soldier-athletes represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXXII Olympiad.
During the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea seven soldier-athletes represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXIII Olympiad.
The program sent four Kenyan-born soldier-runners to compete at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.
as well as
The program sent seven athletes and four coaches to the London 2012 Summer Olympics.
During the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games three soldier-athletes and one coach represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXI Olympiad.
During the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics two WCAP athletes and one coach represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXIX Olympiad:
  • MAJ Michael Anti
  • SSG Dremiel Byers
  • SSG Keith Sanderson
  • '''MAJ David Johnson'''

    Other notable WCAP alumni

  • CPT Boyd Melson
  • SSG Jenna Burkert- 2021 World bronze medalist, Olympic Alternate, 4x World Team member.