NMCSD Nurse both Caregiver and Coach at Wounded Warrior Games

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Sean P. Lenahan, Naval Medical Center San Diego Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- In July 2009 Cmdr. Lauren Nilsen, Registered Nurse in the U.S. Naval Reserves, was deployed to Landstul Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany as a charge and staff nurse.

There, over the course of four years, she worked with U.S. Army medical professionals, U.S. Air Force medical professionals, Navy medical professionals and civilians in treating wounded military personnel during Operation Iraqi freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. LRMC serves as the nearest treatment center for wounded soldiers, Sailors, and Marines medically evacuated from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It was shocking," said Nilsen, still to this day somber at the memory of the influx of patients at the LRMC. "It was a huge learning curve as a nurse, dealing with so many multiple extreme wounds."

Even though medical staff had days off, Nilsen explained sometimes it was challenging to enjoy time away without feeling guilty while your patients were lying in a bed.

"Often I couldn't get the legs, the peppering, the mortar wounds, suicide bombing attacks, that traumatic look in [the patients] eyes and parents in the states crying on the phone, thanking me for taking care of their son or daughter, out of my head," recalled Nilsen. "It was very, very real."

Nilsen felt privileged to tend to the U.S. troops and allied warriors who were treated in Germany, yet she wondered what happened to those patients after they left LRMC.

"Sometime in late 2011, I saw online the Warrior Games and recovering wounded troops competing in Paralympic sports," said Nilsen. "It made me feel so much better to see these pictures and videos of their smiles, camaraderie, and intense sports competition and celebration."

According to the Team USA website, the Warrior Games were first held in 2010 to foster physical activity through Paralympic sports.

It was exactly what Nilsen was looking for because she has been avidly involved in the sport of volleyball for the majority of her life. Playing volleyball for the first time in 7th grade, then Nilsen played NCAA Division I Volleyball for four years, 12 years on the All-Navy Women's Volleyball Team, seven years on the U.S. Armed Forces Volleyball Team, and competed in two International Military Sports Council World Games. Naturally, she decided to get involved in the Warrior Games as soon as possible to bring her skills to her former patients and others.

In June 2012, Nilsen returned to the states and met Brent Peterson, head sitting volleyball coach of U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Wounded Warrior Regiment and soon after began coaching alongside him.

"Right off the bat, she had a connection with the guys and was very personable," said Peterson. "She is a very humble, genuine, and caring person. She does this because she loves doing it and it is a huge asset to the team and to me. One-hundred percent is what she gives."

Nilsen is thankful to Peterson for giving her the opportunity to coach.

"I think the Head Coach Brent Peterson is one of the most positive forces on the planet," said Nilsen. "He is exceptionally amazing with the USMC athletes and I am truly grateful for his coaching mentorship, for being so inclusive and so welcoming."

Since her involvement with the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment volleyball team she has coached the team at the 2012 & 2013 Warrior Care Games at the Pentagon, the 2013 USMC Warrior Trials, the 2013 Warrior Games, the 2014 USMC Sitting Volleyball Camp and most recently the 2014 USMC Warrior Trials, which took place with 300 marines and 10 NATO countries. They had approximately 100 seated volleyball players - including USMC vets and Marines from Battalion East and Battalion West, Canada, U.K., Australia, France, Columbia and New Zealand. The trials generate the top USMC athletes to compete in the 2014 Warrior Games to be held this September in Colorado Springs.

Nilsen explains what it is like seeing her patients in action again.

"I have seen seven of my patients from LRMC via the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment adaptive sports program," said Nilsen. "Seeing them was surreal. There would be laughs and hugs. I'd get the chills and my eyes would often fill up. If anyone wants a dose of greatness, inspiring character, selflessness and spirit - just spend some time with our recovering U.S. Armed Forces wounded, ill, and injured and then watch them compete in sports."

Marine veteran Josh Kelly, a sitting volleyball player and previous patient of Nilsen, tells how Nilsen has made an impression on him and others.

"You can have just one conversation with her and tell that she is a person who cares about others and has a good heart," said Kelly. "She is a positive and enthusiastic coach. For some of us Marines [her style] opens up a different door than what we are used to. She gets an understanding across to you and all of the guys say she is very receptive as a coach."

Nilsen humbly gives all of her thanks to the military for this chance to reconnect with her former patients.

"There is no way I could have had the life I've had without being in the Navy," said Nilsen. "When I was in other countries serving, helping others, playing volleyball, and even as a tourist, it helps the U.S. and Navy by showing the world an American's humility and a genuine goodness. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had via the Navy."

Nilsen currently serves as a Navy reservist and drills at Naval Medical Center San Diego. The upcoming 2014 Warrior Games are scheduled for Sept. 28 through Oct. 4 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. More than 200 service members and veterans are expected to compete in sports such as cycling, archery, shooting, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, and sitting volleyball.