U.S. Service Members Onstage, Behind Scenes at Paralympics

As the London Paralympics 2012 gear up, U.S. service members are taking part in varying ways.

As athletes come together in London for the 2012 Paralympic Games, members of the U.S. armed services are represented both in competition and lending a hand in the massive organizational undertaking.

“I was a collegiate athlete for four years [and] I swam for 12 years,” said Navy Lieutenant Bradley Snyder, a member of the 2012 U.S. Paralympic swimming team. “I think the largest crowd I ever swam in front of was in the hundreds. To be able to go out in front of 18,000 people is going to be an amazing experience.”

Air Force Staff Sergeant Brandi Campbell is one of many volunteers assisting the Paralympic team. Stationed in Lakenheath, England, Campbell was so eager to help, she used personal leave in addition to three days of permissive temporary duty to help process arriving athletes and distribute apparel and accessories to them provided by sponsors.

“They're amazing,” Campbell said. “To work with them and hear their stories, get to meet them, get to see their coaches — I [wouldn't] trade it for anything.”

Above, swimmers warm up in the Aquatic Center before the 2012 Paralympics.