Mercedes Rangel

Staff Sgt. Mercedes Rangel served in the Army Reserve for fourteen years. Throughout her life, she was an athlete; from running and cycling to body building. But participating and competing in those activities came to a halt. Staff Sgt. Rangel sustained an injury to her herniated disc C6-C7 on her previous deployment. She lost strength on her right side. The pain radiated down her right arm. Her neck and arm had limited range of motion.

She enrolled in the Soldier Recovery Unit at JBSA and was introduced to the Army Recovery Care Program (ARCP). ARCP allowed her to continue playing in the sports that she loved and introduced her to new ones.

Staff Sgt. Rangel remains committed to her physical fitness. She participates in body building, is a spin instructor, and has trained with many soldiers.

She never felt alone or left behind. Because of the JBSA SRU, she was able to recover and get back in the fight.