Ivan Morera

Master Sergeant Ivan Morera, born in New York City in 1973, grew up across New York, San Diego, and Miami Beach before earning a B.S. in Education from Ohio State University in 1999. In 2001, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Combat Medic, quickly deploying to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His career has spanned pivotal moments, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division. In 2005, he was selected for Special Forces training as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, later joining the elite ranks of 7th Special Forces Group. In 2013, during a combat operation in Afghanistan, Ivan sustained a life-altering injury, resulting in the traumatic amputation of his left hand. He spent 18 months in intense rehabilitation at the Center for the Intrepid, and after overcoming immense challenges, he became the only upper-body amputee on Military Free Fall (MFF) status and the first one-handed medic in the U.S. Military.

Currently, Ivan serves as the Southern Region NCOIC for the USSOCOM Warrior Care Program, supporting fellow service members through recovery. He is married to Nancy from Mexico City, and they have two children, Amber and Alejandro.

What does the Invictus Games mean to you?

Invictus allows me to focus on what I can do, not what I can’t. It gives me a sense of freedom when I am able to adapt to the sports I am training for and competing in.