U.S. Army Soldier and Snowboarder Pursues Dual Dreams Through Elite Program
Sgt. Robert Burns, a U.S. Army soldier and accomplished snowboarder, is pursuing his dual passions through the Army's World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). Burns, who grew up in a military family, has been able to balance his military duties with his athletic ambitions. He began snowboarding competitively in 2013 and has since won two national championships in giant slalom. The WCAP allows top-ranked soldier-athletes to compete internationally while serving in the Army, providing them with coaching, health benefits, and support. Burns' fiancée, Staff Sgt. Deedra Irwin, is also a WCAP athlete, competing in biathlon. Before joining the Army, Burns worked as a 'hotshot firefighter,' tackling challenging wildfires across the U.S. His experiences in firefighting and the military have instilled in him a mindset of focus and resilience, which he applies to his snowboarding career. 
