Army Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Marks is a combat medic and also a decorated Paralympic swimmer in the U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program — a Pat Tillman ESPY award winner and a member of the Army Women's Hall of Fame.
She joined the Army in 2008 and was injured in 2010. While recovering and working to be declared fit for duty, she discovered her passion and talent for swimming.
Recently, Marks broke two American records at the Paralympic Swimming Trials while qualifying for the Summer Paralympic Games. She credits all of this to her mentors — her brothers and sisters in arms.
Job Title:
Combat Medic
Hometown:
Prescott Valley, Arizona
Stationed:
Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston
Unit:
U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program
Where are you from?
My hometown is Prescott Valley, Arizona, where I attended an at-risk youth academy, Arizona Project Challenge. That program really saved my life, going there gave me a safe place to be, three warm meals and the opportunity for a college education.
Why did you want to join the Army?
The military has always influenced my life. My dad is a Vietnam veteran who worked at the Veterans Affairs hospital on the custodial staff. The staff of Arizona Project Challenge were all National Guard or prior service members. Going to that academy solidified my need to give back to the military community.
Why did you want to be a combat medic?
I originally wanted to be an infantryman like my father and most of the staff at Arizona Project Challenge, but when I joined the Army in 2008 that was not an option available for women.
I told the recruiter, 'Okay, what is the closest job to that?' And they told me about combat medics. My father had talked very highly of Navy corpsmen, (similar to Army medics) so I went for it.
I absolutely loved being a medic. The people in the military became my family.
When did you start competing in the pool?
After I was injured in Iraq, I was sent to Brooke Army Medical Center for recovery.
I met Chanda Gaeth at the pool while I was recovering and working towards being declared fit for duty. She was a veteran and a swimming coach with the adaptive sports program. She was incredibly helpful, and she encouraged me to keep fighting.
Gaeth told me to keep going even when they told me there were no other Paralympic swimmers in the Army. She understood what it was like to be underestimated.
Why was it so important for you to be declared fit for duty instead of getting out of the Army?
I had a lot of people tell me that it wasn't possible to come back. The more I heard that, the more I wanted to be back. It made me want to show them what I could do. I had a mentor who helped me understand there was a fight to be fought. All I knew is I wanted to be found fit for duty.
The support that I received from my brothers and sisters in the military is what got me through my injuries and recovery.
What is one of your favorite memories while you have served in the Army?
There are a lot but two of my favorites were being found fit for duty and then being welcomed into the World Class Athlete Program as the first para swimmer. Those were special days for me because not only did I get to stay in the Army, but I got to pursue a whole other passion I wouldn't have known if I wasn't injured.
You are the Army's first Paralympic swimmer, what are some of your other firsts?
I am the first active duty soldier to be awarded an ESPY Pat Tillman Award, the first U.S. soldier in 2015 to medal at the Conseil International du Sport Militaire, or CISM, Military World Games and the Army's first Paralympic swimming gold medalist.
Every time I compete and chase a new goal it is because of the people who helped lift me up when I was down. They didn't need to help me but they did and they encouraged me. I feel indebted to them. I am incredibly grateful to my brothers and sisters in the military, veterans and those who are in the pool with me every single time I race.
How has training for the Paralympics been during the COVID-19 pandemic?
This past year has made us get creative with training. We had to think outside of the box and I had a lot of fun with that. Now I am getting in as much quality training as possible.
How did you feel beating two American records at the Paralympic Swimming Trials?
It doesn't feel real yet, I am just really excited to swim.
What will it mean for you to represent the Army and WCAP at the Paralympic games again?
I have a great deal of love and respect for WCAP and the Army. I love being able to swim with my brothers and sisters. Veterans are a huge reason why I love competing.
What do you hope your future in the Army looks like?
I hope that I can help as many Soldiers as possible and have positive influences on their lives. As long as I am continuing to effect change and improve quality of life for Soldiers, then I consider that a success.