US Army World Class Athlete Program

The U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) is a military unit whose primary mission is to support nationally and internationally ranked soldiers in participating on the U.S. Olympic team. The program is headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Objectives
According to the U.S. Army, WCAP provides active duty, national guard and reserve soldiers the opportunity to train and compete at national and international sports competitions with the ultimate goal of selection to the United States Olympic Team and Paralympic Games, while maintaining a professional military career and promoting the U.S. Army.

Selection
Any soldier-athlete (Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve) may apply for selection provided:
 * Soldier is in good military standing
 * The sport the soldier is applying for is an Olympic Sport
 * Soldier has completed Advanced Individual Training (enlisted) or Officer Basic Course (officer)
 * Soldier meets sport specific entry standards, which normally consists of attaining a high national ranking or being selected to a US National Team for international competition
 * WCAP is not a developmental program; it targets athletes who have achieved world class status in their sport.

2012
The Program sent 7 athletes and 4 coaches to the 2012 Summer Games in London.
 * Sergeant First Class Dremiel Byers, Greco-Roman wrestling, 120kg
 * Sgt. 1st Class Keith Sanderson, rapid fire pistol
 * Sgt. 1st Class Daryl Szarenski, pistol
 * Staff Sgt. John Nunn, 50 km racewalk
 * SPC Justin Lester, Greco-Roman wrestling
 * Sgt. Spenser Mango, Greco-Roman wrestling
 * SPC Dennis Bowsher, Modern Pentathlon

2010


During the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games three soldier-athletes and one coach represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXI Olympiad.


 * SGT Jeremy Teela (Biathlon)
 * -10k Sprint


 * SGT John Napier (Bobsled)
 * -4-man USA Sled II Pilot


 * 1LT Christopher Fogt (Bobsled)
 * -4-man USA Sled II Brakeman


 * SGT William Tavares (Team USA Bobsled Coach)

2008
During the 2008 Beijing Summer Games two WCAP athletes and one coach represented WCAP and the US Army in the XXIX Olympiad:


 * MAJ Michael Anti (Shooting)
 * -50m Rifle Competition


 * SSG Dremiel Byers (Greco-Roman Wrestling)
 * -Heavyweight


 * SSG Keith Sanderson (Shooting)
 * -Rapid Fire Pistol competition


 * MAJ David Johnson (Team USA Shooting Coach)

Other notable WCAP alumni

 * CAPTAIN Boyd Melson (Boxing)
 * -2004 World Military Boxing Championships, gold medal (69-kg. weight class)