For wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans, the Warrior Games represent something powerful: a pathway to recovery, renewed purpose, and future success.  

Magellan Federal had the honor of attending and supporting the 2026 Warrior Games in San Antonio, an event that draws thousands of supporters each year to cheer on recovering service members competing in adaptive sports. Those not intimately involved in the Warrior Games may see medals and competition. What they don’t always see is the recovery journey that brought these service members to the Warrior Games. Throughout the week, we witnessed firsthand how adaptive sports, career development, and community support work together to build resilience, confidence, and hope for the future. 

The Power of Adaptive Sports 

Adaptive sports use specialized equipment, adaptive techniques, and tailored coaching to ensure recovering service members can safely engage in activities such as wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, cycling, rowing, swimming, archery, and track and field. 

Adaptive sports provide wounded, ill, and injured service members with opportunities to rebuild strength, regain confidence, and reconnect with a sense of purpose through competition and physical activity. More than recreation, adaptive sports are a proven pathway to recovery, resilience, and long-term wellbeing. They help participants overcome physical and psychological challenges while fostering camaraderie and teamwork. 

The Impact of Coaching 

Adaptive sports coaches are essential to this process. They do far more than teach athletic techniques or improve performance. As mentors, motivators, and trusted supporters, they help service members navigate their recovery journey, set meaningful goals, and recognize their abilities rather than their limitations. 

Through their leadership, coaches create an environment that promotes growth, independence, and empowerment, enabling athletes to achieve success both in sport and in life beyond military service. 

Magellan Federal, alongside our prime partner, KSA Integration, provided 10 adaptive sports coaches during the Warrior Games through the USMC’s Warrior Athletic Reconditioning Program (WAR-P). Our coaches play a critical role in supporting recovering service members both on and off the field of competition.  

One coach, Coach Lenville P. O’Donnell, shared, “I’ve been coaching at the Warrior Games for nine years, and the success of the program is indisputable. It gives these warriors a purpose and teaches them a process for success they carry forward in everything they will do in life. The Warrior Athletic Reconditioning Program changes lives and benefits not just the service members and veterans but their family and friends.”  

His perspective highlights the lasting impact of adaptive sports programs, where recovery is not defined by limitations but by empowering individuals to recognize their strengths, capabilities, and potential. 

Preparing for Life Beyond Recovery 

The lessons learned through adaptive sports often extend well beyond competition. The same resilience, discipline, confidence, and goal-setting skills that help recovering service members succeed in athletics also help prepare them for the next phase of their recovery journey. While physical rehabilitation is an important part of recovery, long-term success also depends on education, employment, personal growth, and finding renewed purpose for the future. 

During the Warrior Games, Magellan Federal Regional Coordinators supporting the Defense Health Agency Warrior Care Recovery Coordination Program’s Education and Employment Initiative (E2I) and Operation Warfighter (OWF) programs, in partnership with our prime contractor, AMSG, had the opportunity to engage with hundreds of service members, family members, and military leaders.  

Through E2I and OWF, recovering service members receive individualized support to explore career pathways, pursue educational opportunities, gain meaningful work experience, and prepare for successful transitions into civilian life. These programs help participants build the skills, confidence, and professional networks necessary for long-term success, reinforcing that recovery is not simply about overcoming challenges, but about creating new opportunities for growth and achievement.  

By focusing on future goals and personal potential, E2I and OWF empower service members to define their next chapter with purpose, resilience, and optimism. 

A Commitment That Extends Beyond the Games 

At Magellan Federal, we are proud to support initiatives that empower those who have served our nation. The Warrior Games are a powerful reminder that resilience grows when individuals are given the tools, encouragement, and opportunities to succeed, both during recovery and beyond. 

Long after the Games conclude, the confidence, connections, and skills gained through these programs continue to support participants as they pursue new personal and professional goals. The Warrior Games demonstrate that recovery is not defined by limitations or setbacks, but by the opportunities, support, and determination that help individuals move forward with confidence and purpose.

Financial readiness means understanding how to protect yourself from predatory practices and make confident, informed financial decisions. Here are some helpful steps to get you started:

1.      Start with Research

One of the best ways to protect your finances is to do your homework before making a purchase. Whether you’re shopping for a new car, applying for a loan, or making another major financial decision, take time to research your options.

Review your budget, understand what you can realistically afford, and learn about the businesses and lenders you’re considering. Are they military-friendly? Do they have a strong reputation for customer service? Have other consumers reported concerns or complaints? A little preparation can help you avoid costly mistakes and make decisions with confidence.

2.      Stay Vigilant

Service members and their families are often targeted by aggressive sales tactics and predatory financial practices. These may come from lenders, retailers, or even individuals who claim a military affiliation.

That is why it is important to stay vigilant. If someone is asking you to spend your hard-earned money, take the time to understand who they are and whether their offer is truly in your best interest. The more informed you are, the better equipped you will be to recognize red flags and avoid financial pitfalls.

3.      Know Your Rights and Resources

In addition to the consumer protections available to all Americans, service members and their dependents may be covered by laws such as the Military Lending Act (MLA) and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

You do not have to become an expert on consumer law, but it is important to know where to find reliable, unbiased information. Resources such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offer valuable guidance on consumer rights, financial products, and common scams.

You also do not have to navigate financial decisions alone. Service members and their families have access to free, confidential support on the Department of Defense Financial Readiness (DoDFINRED) website. Counselors can assist with budgeting, credit management, and consumer education.

Additional assistance is available through Military OneSource and your installation’s legal assistance office.

Consumer Awareness Supports Financial Readiness

Being an informed consumer puts you in control. By researching before you buy, understanding your rights, and taking advantage of available resources, you can make confident financial decisions and better protect your financial future.

Make consumer awareness part of your financial readiness strategy. Taking a few extra steps before making a financial commitment can help ensure you are making decisions that support your goals, protect your finances, and safeguard the resources you have worked hard to earn.

Financial readiness is a core part of military readiness. When service members feel confident managing their finances, they can focus on the mission, support their families, and prepare for future transitions. Financial stress affects decision‑making, morale, and even security clearances, which means financial wellbeing is directly tied to overall force readiness.

The Department of War (DoW) supports this effort by providing no‑cost financial literacy training and counseling to service members and their families with our Personal Financial Counselor (PFC) Program. Education begins early in a military career and continues through major life events such as relocations, deployments, and marriage. A 2023 DoW survey found that 72 percent of active‑duty members reported fewer financial problems and stronger financial habits than non‑military households, suggesting that consistent financial education is making a meaningful difference.

Building the Foundation

Understanding military compensation is one of the first steps in strengthening financial readiness. Many service members know their base pay but may not fully understand the value of benefits like Basic Allowance for Housing, Basic Allowance for Subsistence, healthcare, and Thrift Savings Plan contributions. Financial counselors help service members see how these pieces fit together and how to use them to support long‑term goals.

Budgeting and savings are equally important. Frequent moves, deployments, and unpredictable schedules create financial challenges for families, especially when military spouses face a 21 percent unemployment rate. A clear monthly spending plan helps service members manage day‑to‑day expenses, and an emergency fund covering three to six months of expenses provides a critical safety net.

Debt and credit management also influence financial readiness. High‑interest debt, predatory lending, and scams can quickly strain finances and affect security clearances. Counselors play a key role in educating service members about responsible borrowing, credit protections, and how to avoid financial pitfalls.

Planning for the Future

Long‑term planning is essential for financial stability. The Thrift Savings Plan offers a tax‑advantaged way to save for retirement, and those under the Blended Retirement System receive matching contributions up to 5 percent. Starting early allows service members to benefit from compounding growth, which can significantly increase retirement savings over time.

Financial counselors support this process through regular check‑ins, workshops, and tools that help service members stay aligned with their goals.

Strategies That Strengthen Financial Readiness

Military financial counselors can make a powerful impact by:

1. Connecting financial readiness to mission readiness. When finances are stable, service members can focus more fully on their duties.
2. Encouraging consistency and celebrating progress. SMART goals help service members stay motivated and accountable.
3. Avoiding information overload. Small, manageable steps lead to lasting financial habits.
4. Building trust through transparency. Clear communication about confidentiality helps service members feel safe sharing challenges.
5. Following up regularly. Life changes quickly, and financial plans should adapt along the way.

A Long‑Term Commitment

Financial readiness is not achieved in a single conversation. It is an ongoing process that evolves with each stage of military life. Military financial counselors empower service members with the tools, resources, and confidence they need to build financial stability that lasts well beyond their time in uniform.

When service members feel secure in their finances, they can focus on their mission, support their families, and plan for the future. Strengthening financial readiness strengthens the force, and the work of financial counselors plays a vital role in that mission.

References:

1. Department of Defense (2025). Financial Literacy and Preparedness Survey Results for the 2023 Status of Forces Survey. Retrieved from https://finred.usalearning.gov/assets/downloads/FINRED-2025-FinancialLiteracy-R.pdf.
2. Kamarck, K. N. (2022). Military Families and Financial Readiness. Defense & Intelligence. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R46983.
3. Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan (2026). Retrieved from https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspbk08.pdf?TSP-BK-08.
4. Thrift Savings Plan (2026). Investing Strategies. Retrieved from https://www.tsp.gov/investing-strategies/.
5. S. Department of the Treasury. (2019). Federal Financial Literacy Reform: Coordinating and Improving Financial Literacy Efforts. Retrieved from https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/FFLRCoordinatingImprovingFinancialLiteracyEfforts.pdf.
6. S. Office of Personnel Management (2024). Government-wide Military-Connected Strategic Plan Fiscal Year 2024-2028. Retrieved from https://www.opm.gov/chcoc/transmittals/2024/attachments/FY24-28%20Gwide%20Military-Connected%20Strategic%20Plan%202-27-24.pdf.