By Kama Stigall
For the top figure skaters in the world, it is a daily balancing act to juggle training with other commitments. Some athletes choose to pursue higher education during their competitive skating careers, while others work part- or full-time jobs to fund their training costs. Pairs skater Spencer Akira Howe understands this all too well, as he was recently selected for the prestigious U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP).
Howe, a three-time U.S. pairs medalist with partner Emily Chan, is currently a Private Second Class (PV2) rank in the U.S. Army. He serves as an 88M Auto Transport Operator, which is part of the transportation logistics team.
“Enlisting was something that I thought about in the past when I was younger, but as I became more competitive and serious with skating, I didn’t really see it being realistic for myself,” Howe, who represents The Skating Club of Boston, said.
He then discovered WCAP, which is headquartered at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The program’s participants maintain their professional military careers as they train in their individual sport. WCAP allows active duty, National Guard and reserve soldiers to train and compete at national and international sports competitions, with the goal of selection to the U.S. Olympic team and U.S. Paralympic team. For the recent 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, five soldier-athletes from WCAP were selected to represent Team USA.
Howe first learned about WCAP while recovering from surgery at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
“My roommate told me all about the program, because he himself was in it at one point as a track and field runner,” he said.
Athletes who are selected for WCAP are expected to meet specific entry standards for their sport. The program targets athletes who have achieved world-class status, such as being selected to the U.S. National Team.
Howe enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 2024 and began his basic training in late February 2025.
“Even though I learned how to be an 88M, my current duty is to maintain a high-level of military standard and a high-level of athletic standard as they both now coincide with each other,” he said. “Every day I check in remotely with my platoon sergeant, and I take on each training day as an opportunity to fulfill my duties as that soldier-athlete.”
His time in the military has also positively impacted his athletic career.
“Going through the enlistment process meant taking a step away from skating to learn a completely new set of skills,” Howe said. “Looking back, that change of perspective and environment really opened my mind. In one sense, it allowed me to have what felt like a fresh slate as I moved back into skating and set new goals for myself moving forward.”
Howe’s future career plans include becoming a military chaplain.
“I have already started my undergrad and will plan to continue onwards to a master of divinity degree, which is one of the final requirements to join the Chaplain Corps,” he said. “If all goes according to plan, as I retire from competitive figure skating, I will simultaneously be transitioning into the Chaplain Corps.”
Without a doubt, Howe’s experience in the military has been both professionally and personally satisfying. However, Howe encourages those who may be interested in pursuing a similar path to fully understand the commitment it takes.
“It’s definitely a bigger responsibility, but it was something that I spent time thinking through and eventually realized I was ready for it,” he said. “After all my Army training was done and I returned to my sport, I have absolutely no regrets. It has been a wonderful, and at the same time, challenging experience that has helped me to grow into the person I always wanted to be.”
Howe hopes he will be an inspiration to other skaters who are considering military service.
“I feel that no matter what field you want to pursue, you shouldn't hesitate — you should go for it,” he said. “It will inevitably lead you toward more purpose and more fulfillment in your life, but often the only thing we lack is taking the first step.”
In taking his own “first step,” Howe became a trailblazer for his sport.
“Becoming the first figure skater within the WCAP program in that sense was a leap of faith,” he said. “No matter where my journey will end, I'm very glad I decided to take the opportunity to find out.”
