Dillon Ripperger

Master-at-Arms Second Class Dillon “Rip” Ripperger joined the Navy after high scool. He wanted to pursue a career in special programs. He transferred to seven duty stations in his nearly 15 years of service. After joining Navy Wounded Warrior, his care team encouraged him to try adaptive sports as a way to process his transition out of the Navy and into civilian life.

“Adaptive sports surrounds me with other people who understand the struggle of medical retirement and transitioning to civilian life,” he said. “It equipped me with new tools and methods of coping. I’ve made contacts to reach out to in times of struggle.”

Away from sports, Ripperger is alway striving for quality of life improvements. He most enjoys time outside, like yard work and maintenance, fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking.

At the 2024 Warrior Games, he will compete in archery, field, shooting, swimming, and track.