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.[1]
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 U.S. Olympic team and
U.S. Paralympic team, while maintaining a professional military career and promoting the U.S. Army.[1]
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 U.S. National Team for international competition[2][3]
WCAP is not a developmental program; it targets athletes who have achieved world class status in their sport
Army National Guard Outstanding Athlete Program, 2010 Winter Olympics.
U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program, 2004 Summer Olympics.
U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program, 2004 Summer Olympics.
2009 U.S. National Boxing Championships.
Army World Class Athlete Program, 2010 World Team Trials for USA Wrestling.
Army World Class Athlete Program Olympic biathlete Jeremy Teela practicing.
U.S. Biathlon World Team Trials in Coleraine, Minnesota.
WCAP athletes sign autographs for fans, 2009 AUSA Conference.