Technical Sergeant (Ret.) Patrick Young deployed more than 30 times as an F-16 crew chief to forward operating bases around the world. He retired from active duty in 2007.
After Young left the military, he tried many different jobs, but quickly learned he suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Not knowing how to cope with PTSD and feeling his life was spiraling out of control, Young was involved a car accident while driving home from work. As Young laid on the ground outside his vehicle, he said he didn't know if he was going to live. But, he prayed and asked for help to get him back on his feet.
After rehabilitation from the car accident, Young realized his left leg wouldn’t heal or work correctly, and had his leg amputated. He later received PTSD counseling from the Veterans Affairs and found a new hope and drive as an athlete for the Department of Defense Warrior Games. The Warrior Games is a 10-day sports competition that pits the nation's best paralympic-style military athletes against each other.
Young participated in the 2015 Warrior Games and is also a member of the Air Force Men's Sitting Volleyball team. He currently has his sights on making the 2016 Wounded Warrior Games and the U.S. Men's Paralympics Volleyball Team roster.