Kevin Nguyen

Started: He took up the sport in 2014 at the US Army Marksmanship Unit [USAMU]. (KUSI News YouTube channel, 28 May 2021; paralympic.org, 02 Dec 2020; US Army Marksmanship Unit Facebook page, 29 Jul 2017) Reason: Following his injury he was recruited by Armando Ayala, then coach of the Paralympic Division of the US Army Marksmanship Unit [USAMU]. "It sounded like a cool job at the time. I was trying to get back into the Army and didn't know where to go at the time. After a 10-minute phone conversation with SFC Ayala, being a shooter for the Army piqued my interest. Over the course of two-and-a-half years, the sport became more and more rewarding and exciting." (ssusa.org, 12 May 2018) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (dvidshub.net, 28 Apr 2022) Additional Info: MILITARY SERVICE In 2011 he joined the US Army and began serving as an infantry soldier with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division. In 2012 he was deployed to Afghanistan, where, three months into the tour, he was injured by an improvised explosive device [IED] and lost his leg. He continued to serve in the US Army and in 2014 he was reassigned to the US Army Marksmanship Unit [USAMU] as an instructor and competitive shooter. "I went straight to the Army [in 2011], because I already knew which branch I wanted. I loved my job. I actually got back on my feet, and stayed in the Army after my amputation. [Being part of the USAMU] has given me a lot of purpose in my life and having new team members has given me a new outlook on life mentally and physically. This job has taught me a lot, being an athlete, being a soldier, being a teammate, it has taught me a lot about discipline and hard work." (USA Shooting Facebook page, 10 Jul 2023; dvidshub.net, 28 Apr 2022; US Army Marksmanship Unit Facebook page, 16 Jun 2021, 01 Jul 2020; ssusa.org, 12 Jul 2021; KUSI News YouTube channel, 28 May 2021; paralympic.org, 02 Dec 2020; army.mil, 10 Apr 2014) HERITAGE His family is originally from Vietnam. "They left for a better life and the sake of their freedom. By serving my country, it's my way of giving back to my family and to continue to protect that freedom that they have fought so hard for." (stripes.com, 01 Sep 2021; US Army Fort Sill Facebook page, 11 Aug 2021)