At the Winter Olympics, pressure is measured in seconds, inches, and heartbeats.

For a select group of Team USA athletes in 2026, that pressure begins long before they reach the starting line, and it doesn’t end when the competition is over.

The Best Sitrep for Today's Vets.

Benefits intel, military tech, field-tested gear, untold stories of those who served, and history like you've never heard before. Sign up for the VeteranLife newsletter.

​

Subscribe

Always free. 🇺🇸 | Unsubscribe anytime.

When the Winter Games open in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, a small but remarkable group of Americans will compete on snow and ice while continuing to serve on active duty in the U.S. military. These competitors are not ceremonial representatives or honorary affiliates, but soldiers and airmen balancing Olympic-level training with military careers defined by discipline, accountability, and constant readiness.

Their presence on Team USA highlights a story rarely seen during Olympic broadcasts: elite athletic performance alongside ongoing military service. These active-duty Olympians pursue excellence in two demanding arenas, answering to both coaches and commanders.

How Active-Duty Service Members Compete at the Olympic Level

For decades, the U.S. military has supported elite athletic competition through formal programs that allow service members to pursue sport without leaving uniformed service.

Two programs make Olympic participation possible:

U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program

The Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) gives selected soldiers the chance to train and compete at elite levels while staying on active duty.

The program provides access to specialized coaching, facilities, and support services tailored for Olympic preparation. Athletes must meet both national-team and Olympic qualification standards and uphold all Army professional requirements.

U.S. Air Force World Class Athlete Program

The Air Force World Class Athlete Program follows a similar structure, giving airmen resources and time for high-level training and competition. It ensures that airmen can continue their military service while accessing Olympic-caliber coaching and support from the Air Force.

Under these programs, participating athletes are assigned Olympic training as an official duty, not as an exemption from military service. While training, athletes retain their roles as service members and are held accountable to military leadership, readiness requirements, and broader professional military standards throughout their Olympic commitments.

Army Service Members Representing Team USA

Deedra Irwin — Biathlon

A Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army, Deedra Irwin, competes in biathlon, one of the most physically and mentally demanding events in the Winter Olympics. Athletes ski at full intensity before stopping to shoot with precision, requiring composure and control under extreme physical stress.

Irwin has described biathlon as a natural fit for both her athletic background and military mindset.

“To me, the biathlon is just the most interesting, perfect sport that I could have ever gotten into,” she said. “It’s all endurance, plus the huge puzzle piece of precision rifle marksmanship.”

That combination, sustained physical effort followed by calm, exact execution, mirrors the skills demanded in many military environments. It’s also what makes biathlon one of the most unforgiving sports on the Olympic program.

Irwin competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, an experience that reshaped her perspective heading into Milan-Cortina. Reflecting on her Olympic debut, she emphasized that success at the Games isn’t always defined by the podium.

“You don’t need an Olympic medal to have an Olympic moment,” she said, a mindset that underscores both humility and resilience.

She has also spoken about the importance of community and shared purpose within the Army’s elite athlete ranks.

“All of our stories are so inspirational and so unique,” Irwin said of her fellow WCAP athletes, a reminder that no two paths to the Olympics, or through military service, look the same.

Sean Doherty — Biathlon

An Army specialist and Veteran of multiple Olympic cycles, Sean Doherty brings long-term international experience to Milan-Cortina.

His career reflects the extended development timeline common among military Olympians, where progress is measured over years rather than seasons.

Frank Del Duca — Bobsled

Serving as an Army Sergeant, Frank Del Duca competes in bobsled, a team-driven event where coordination, trust, and split-second execution determine outcomes.

Each run depends on collective precision, a dynamic familiar to anyone who has served in uniform.

Azaria Hill — Bobsled

Army specialist Azaria Hill, making her Olympic debut, represents the growing presence of Team USA military athletes in winter sliding sports. Bobsled’s narrow margins and physical demands place a premium on preparation and disciplined execution.

Ben Loomis — Nordic Combined

Nordic combined requires athletes to ski jump and then race cross-country, blending explosive power with sustained endurance. Loomis’s path reflects adaptability and stamina often cultivated through military training environments.

Spencer Howe — Figure Skating (Pairs)

An Army private competing in pairs figure skating, Howe brings structure and consistency into a sport defined by precision timing and partnership. His presence underscores the diversity of disciplines represented by military Olympians.

Air Force Athletes Headed to Milan-Cortina

Kelly Curtis — Skeleton

A Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, Kelly Curtis, competes in skeleton, racing headfirst down an icy track at extreme speeds. The sport demands technical mastery, focus, and calm decision-making under pressure, qualities reinforced through military service.

Jasmine Jones — Bobsled

A Senior Airman in the Air Force, Jasmine Jones, will make her Olympic debut in bobsled at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Her journey reflects the long runway required for elite performance: identification, development, and sustained commitment while serving.

The Collective Story Behind the Individual Athletes

Individually, each service member’s path to the Olympics is different. Some are returning competitors. Others are first-time Olympians. All share the challenge of managing two demanding professional identities at once.

Collectively, they represent:

• A military willing to invest in talent beyond traditional career paths
• Commands that recognize excellence in many forms
• A modern model of service that supports high-level achievement without lowering standards

For military families watching from installations around the world, these stories feel familiar: long training days, careful scheduling, command coordination, and family support systems that make success possible.

Why This Matters to the Military Community

These athletes bring their military discipline, composure under pressure, and patriotism to every Olympic event.

Their journeys remind us that service does not follow a single blueprint. Sometimes it means deployment, at other times leadership, or even serving as active-duty members representing the country in the Olympic Games.

The Olympics are about medals, but they’re also about meaning.

At Milan-Cortina, these service members will compete as elite athletes and as living examples of discipline, commitment, and composure. Their story shows that service can mean representing the U.S., not just in uniform, but at the highest level of sport.

Suggested reads:

• The Last Eyewitness to Lincoln's Assassination Told His Account on a Game Show
• The Surprising Purpose Behind Sinking Old U.S. Tanks at Sea
• Meet Valdo: The Military Hero Dog Who Took an RPG Blast to Save Four Lives