Noelle Delgado

I joined the USMC in 2019 and got injured in training and at the schoolhouse in 2020. My injuries persisted yet I tried my hardest to stay physically fit while studying Chinese. After 10 months at the schoolhouse my injuries were too impactful and I had to go on a medical hold status, one that I hoped to return to study Chinese after, yet never could.
I was transferred to wounded warrior battalion west in February of 2022 after being in the schoolhouse for two years. I medically retired in July of 2022. After a couple months I returned to train and wounded warrior battalion because I missed the Marine Corps. Training there helped me find purpose and helped me get through mental battles I was facing. I started training for the Warrior Games Challenge of 2023, and it gave me something to look forward to. Once I got there, I was surrounded by other Marines who knew exactly how I felt. Competing with them gave me the sense of camaraderie that I was desperately missing after medical retirement. Once I returned from games, I felt ready to do more sports, I wanted to try everything. It gave me that part of my personality that I missed, the willingness to try new things and the confidence in my abilities. It made me feel able again, able to do the things I love.