Oscar Mike Militia

HEAD COACH

2X Paralympic medalist

“We are developing this team to compete with the best in our league. The mission is coming together with goals set on the court, and more importantly off the court. I want this team to understand the unique qualifications they have to help people with disabilities gain success in our society…while winning a few games”

SHAWN PEHM

TEAM MANAGER

BRANCH: ARMY

"I'm just here to help put everyone in the best possible position to succeed. Whether that means logistics, driving the team bus, changing tires during games, or picking them up off the floor. They think I'm helping them, but they don't even know how much they have helped me and so many others."

BRYAN ANDERSON

CLASS: 3.0

BRANCH: ARMY

CALL SIGN: "HOLLYWOOD"

"There’s something to say about focusing on what’s in front of you and not behind you. What’s behind you has helped you become who you are but the future is unwritten and you can become what ever or whoever you want to be. Being apart of this team has helped me push harder for everything in life on the court and off the court. Hopefully we can show newly injured people and able bodied people that your life is what you choose to make it. Perception is everything. You choose to think something sucks. Guess what...it’s going to suck but if you choose to think I can do something with this and choose to push forward life is going to surprise you in the best way."

KARAH BEHREND

CLASS: 3.0

BRANCH: AIR FORCE

CALL SIGN: "SPECIAL K"

"Somewhere in the world, there’s a little girl who’s just getting into her first wheelchair. She needs to see that she can hit just as hard as the guys and be just as successful."

JULIUS MCMANUS

CLASS: 3.0

BRANCH: NAVY

CALL SIGN: "DOUBLE BUBBLE"

"This team is the example of recovery through sport. We are a family pushing each other to be better today than yesterday, and that will make us unstoppable tomorrow!"

KALEB WILSON

CLASS: 2.5

BRANCH: USCG

CALL SIGN: "RED ROCKET"

"This group is more than a team, we are a family. We are a group of individuals that want to see this sport grow, thrive, and lead the charge in allowing the disabled community to see that there is so much more for them. I'm excited to be apart of and grow with this team as we push to be the best version of ourselves on and off the court."

RYAN MAJOR

CLASS: 2.5

BRANCH: ARMY

CALL SIGN: "PIT BEEF"

"I love being part of something greater than myself. Being on the Oscar Mike Team with like minded individuals to achieve goals gives me purpose. I’m here for the team as well as showing others with disabilities that they’re still capable of great things as long as they work for it and never give up."

MASON SYMONS

CLASS: 2.0

BRANCH: ARMY

CALL SIGN: "YAHTZEE"

“I’m really excited for this team! When a group is eager to learn, grow and is selfless, the possibilities are endless! That’s exactly what we have here. Not only on the court, but also off it! We are breaking stereotypes on the regular, The standard is the standard”

BRETT SMITH

CLASS: 2.0

BRANCH: MARINE CORPS

CALL SIGN: "MR. SMITH"

"Joy for humans lies in human action. The opportunities that Oscar Mike has made available for me, other veterans - and our families - to experience, I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this team and the community we are representing."

AUSTIN WALTERS

CLASS: 2.0

BRANCH: ARMY

CALL SIGN: "HALF N' HALF"

“The service gives you a connection with people so deep that you feel unstoppable together. The Militia takes a scattered and battered group of veterans hungry for that bond and makes the passion for victory ignite into something incredible.”

NOAH CURRIER

CLASS: 1.5

BRANCH: MARINE CORPS

CALL SIGN: "QUADFATHER"

“This is more than just a sport and a team. I love this family and feel incredibly lucky to be on this journey with them. Wheelchair rugby gives us an awesome excuse to crush life together as a unit and the honor of continuing to serve other people in similar positions.”

JOSH BURCH

CLASS: 1.5

BRANCH: MARINE CORPS

CALL SIGN: "STICK MAN"

"When a team of disabled veterans get together, the bond, the camaraderie and the strength is unmatched. Stereotypes are broken and the want to win on and off the court is in our minds. We grow stronger together to fight everyday battles."

PAUL MANN

CLASS: 1.5

BRANCH: ARMY

CALL SIGN: "HITMAN"

“Over a decade I’ve watched the Militia develop from the very first tournament in Milwaukee into a national program with top level coaches and an atmosphere that urges us to be better. We now believe that we can succeed as individuals, and as a team!”

TIM VIXAY

CLASS: 0.5

BRANCH: MARINE CORPS

CALL SIGN: "WACKY CHAN"

BILL LYTTON

CLASS: 0.5

BRANCH: ARMY

CALL SIGN: "WILD BILL"

"I’m excited and proud to be part of this team, this family. We come together from different backgrounds and parts of the country to push ourselves and each other to be our best and show you’re only disabled as you let yourself be. Being part of this family showing people with new and old injuries that anything is possible."

ROB SCHULER

CLASS: 0.5

BRANCH: ARMY

CALL SIGN: "RODEO"

"Oscar Mike is continually pushing limits...Which is a great motto for us all to live by, live limitless!"

JOSE ORTIZ

CLASS: 0.0

BRANCH: ARMY

CALL SIGN: "ABUELO"

Because of my age and condition I thought I should settle, stay home and just try to be happy. Then, I received a call from Oscar Mike to be part of a special program.

Little did I know that I was being called to be part of a family that provides excitement, challenges, and shows you the benefit of sharing and helping others.

Now, because of it, my family and I are always on-the-move. That’s the meaning of Oscar Mike.

THE OSCAR MIKE "MILITIA"