Capt. Castro is the inspiration behind Soldier Build. Follow this link to see the blueprints for the blind accessible gym for him to train for the Hawaii Iron Man competition and for other seeing impaired veterans.
Capt. Ivan Castro sustained life-threatening injuries while serving as a First Lieutenant with the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom, September 2, 2006.
He received numerous injuries to include the loss of his right eye and the permanent loss of vision in his left eye when he was struck with shrapnel from a mortar attack.
Three years after his injury, Castro's determination, strength and motivation is displayed as he became the first blind graduate of the Maneuver Captain's Career Course at Fort Benning, GA.
Originally from Hoboken, N.J., he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1988. Castro's past assignments also include the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.; 5th Corp Long Range Surveillance Company, Darmstadt, Germany; the 3rd Ranger Battalion, Fort Benning, Ga. 82nd Airborne Division and the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC. After graduating from Officer Candidate School, December 2, 2004, he earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant.
Some of his military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Survival with Resistance to Interrogation Course, Survival evasion resistance and escape course, Close Quarter Battle Course, Special Operation Target Interdiction Course, Military Free Fall Course, Ranger Course, Pathfinder Course, Air Assault Course, Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Drill Sergeant Course, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course, Close Air Support Course, Long Range Surveillance Leaders Course, Combat Lifesaver Course and Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course.
He has participated in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, numerous deployments to South America, and peace keeping operations in Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia.
Castro's awards and decorations include the Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal(with Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (with two Oak Leaf Cluster), Combat Infantry Badge with one star, Expert Infantry Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Colombian Jumpmaster Badge, Dutch Parachutist Badge, German Parachutist Badge, Ranger and Special Forces Tabs.
CPT Castro continues to challenge himself mentally and physically by participating in various races and sporting events. Castro has participated in the Army 10-Miler, the Marine Corps Marathon, the Boston Marathon and other sporting events.
Castro and his wife, Evelyn, currently reside in Raeford, N.C. He also has a 16 year-old son, Ivan Eduardo.
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