Many kids dream of being in the military while others have gold medal aspirations for the Olympics. By the time they get older, those kids become adults and have likely picked which lane would be the best for them.
Major Eli Bremer of the Air Force Reserve Command is not like most kids. Where most people would have seen two visions, he saw one unified dream.
“There was never an ‘or’ question in my mind. It was always ‘and.’”
How Both Became a Reality
Bremer grew up near the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and knew in his mind that he would be a part of it. He was surrounded by successful people thanks to his location, which served him well in his younger years.
“All my childhood mentors were cadets at the Academy.”
Bremer shared that he would have been okay if the military was all he could have done, but the World Class Athlete Program was what made it possible for him to continue pursuing those Olympic goals. He even wrote a letter to his future self during his freshman year and proclaimed he wanted to join WCAP and be in the Olympics.
That dream was fulfilled during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China when Bremer wore the nation’s colors while competing in the modern pentathlon. He ultimately finished 22nd that year. Bremer then continued his career in the Air Force Reserve Command. Today, he is the chair of the Advisory Board for the Air Force’s WCAP program and hopes other Americans will see the value in combining sport and service.
“The military and people get a great outcome from it,” he said. “The athletes we bring into the Air Force really like it because they understand the three years of job training they get in a skill outside of their sport. That’s a huge benefit.”
His Service Continued After His Sport
Bremer looks back fondly at his time in his sport and the military but feels his greatest contributions may have come after he hung up the nation’s uniform.
“You may take the uniform off, but you don’t take off the obligations.”
Some of his efforts have taken place behind closed doors, but one that has come to light was his prominent role as an athlete advocate and reformer in the fallout of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal. As he noted, Nassar’s case was a symptom. There was a larger issue that the leadership at the time was in denial of.
“I had been a vocal critic of the governance model because it predisposed ways to cover up issues like abuse,” Bremer recalled. “The leadership at the time tried to get rid of me but couldn’t. Then Nassar happened, people thought I was Nostradamus, but I wasn’t; I just know governance.”
In the aftermath of that scandal, Bremer helped lead an athlete coalition and joined bipartisan lawmakers in creating legislation to restructure the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s system that the athletes were in.
“It hasn’t solved all the problems, but it was a step in the right direction.”
Bremer also played a vital role in the United States’ involvement in the Military Games. In 2000, he went to Switzerland to be a part of that year’s Military Championships. While he was there, he had his first beer with a Brazilian lieutenant named Nilton Rolim. 24 years later, Colonel Rolim had been elected as President of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), the governing body for the Military World Games.
Rolim spoke to Bremer about potential U.S. involvement, which Bremer felt was a good idea. As co-chair of the bid committee, he helped coordinate an offer to bring the Military World Games to the United States, which led to the 2027 event being set for Charlotte, North Carolina from June 25th to July 4th. It took many people to help make it possible, but Bremer expressed joy in how it all came together.
“I’m super proud of what we’ve done there.”
Life Today and Advocating For Fitness
Professionally, Bremer owns and operates Pure Performance, a boutique consulting firm. He is also CEO of Mytikas Industries, a manufacturing business. His career as an athlete is now in his rearview mirror, but he still stays active through swimming and cycling with his focus on longevity. The transition to lower impact movement can be a tough one for an Olympian to make, but it is worth it for him because he trains now for his family and career.
“My thinking now is not on how fast I can run but if I can keep up with my son and be there for my 83-year-old father.”
Bremer found golf to be a new passion that has kept him active as well and feels that a new challenge can be what veterans need to move forward. He advises veterans and older adults that even though the reasons may change, focusing on fitness won’t be something you regret as you age. As a matter of fact, it can serve you well.
“It’s okay to move the goalposts a little bit, and you have to, but you must forgive yourself and do the best you can now. You don’t want to wake up 10 years from now and realize you sold yourself short.”
Bremer also continues to advocate for younger Americans to consider service, including WCAP because of all the opportunities that can come from joining the military. Programs like WCAP are what help other ambitious Americans pursue their own “and” dreams. Bremer added that aside from what it can do for them, there is also honor in an individual doing their own part for the greater good of their country.
“It makes you a better person. Your time in service will fundamentally transform you.”
You can learn more about the Military World Games here. You can also follow Bremer on LinkedIn.
M&F Senior Military Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this Fit to Serve article