By Jake Trybulski

When Jacques Decaire picks up his bow, looks down the sight, and aims for a bullseye, he’s competing for more than himself.

“Excelling in something like adaptive sports will show my daughter she can achieve whatever she wants, despite any challenges,” Jacques said. “Archery is my way of showing her that.”

Jacques, his wife, and his daughter posing for a recent holiday photo.

Jacques, a program manager for BAE Systems, Inc., was medically retired from the United States Army in 2017 after 11 years of service. As he explored different recovery options, a friend encouraged him to try adaptive sports.

He attended a sports camp promoting mental and physical health for service members put on by the United States Special Operations Warrior Care Program – Care Coalition in October 2017. That’s where he discovered archery.

“I went down to that camp expecting to play more golf, but as soon as I picked up a bow I never put it down. The coaches told me I had a lot of potential. It meant a lot, so I worked to see how far I could take it,” Jacques said.

So that’s what he did. Honed his craft anyway he could.

“I used to get some serious looks from the neighbors,” Jacques laughed. “To practice, I’ll stand in my garage or sometimes back out to the middle of the road outside my house and fire my bow into a foam target mounted to plywood. Sometimes my team will set up virtual competitions from home to stay sharp when we’re not at the camps.”

Thanks to his determination, and support from his coaches and the Care Coalition, Jacques has made it to one of adaptive sports’ highest stages – the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games in Orlando, Florida happening from August 19-28. This incredible event celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill, and injured U.S. and allied active-duty service members and veterans. It will be the first Warrior Games since 2019.

“Everybody has been antsy to get back and represent their family the best they can,” Jacques said.

He will represent the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in archery and two precision air sport target shooting events. About 300 other warriors will gather to compete in events including track and field, cycling, powerlifting, swimming, and wheelchair basketball.

“Adaptive sports gave me something new to focus on and perfect, which helped my recovery and transition to civilian life,” Jacques said. “But whoever comes out to watch or follow the games, know while we’re all competing to deliver excellence for our teams, more importantly, we’re competing for each other. It's about connection and camaraderie. It’s a super powerful idea, and I hope people can connect to it.”

Click here for more information on the Warrior Games.

Learn more about the incredible people who work at BAE Systems on our career blog homepage.

Jacques always lives life to its fullest. Here he is after scaling a cliffside on deployment in 2014.