The Department of Defence competition brings athletes representing all branches of the military together competing in seven sports: archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field and wheelchair basketball.

"It was surreal," Darren said of the experience.

Darren took home the chunky medal for the 10m air pistol event, competing in the open category. He also came fifth in both the seated shot put and seated discuss events.

He admits he was given just a couple of weeks notice that he had been invited to represent the Australian Defence Force and the Returned and Services League of Australia in the games.

Darren was one of just five Australians competing.

Darren borrowed a gun while there and competed against American competitors that included graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point as well as sponsored sporting shooters.

"The competition was high," he said. "Those guys could go on to the Paralympics."

The opportunity came about after Darren applied for the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando in May.

"I didn't make the cut this time," he said.

Fortunately when one door closes another usually opens and soon the national adaptive sports co-ordinator of the RSL was on the phone and inviting Darren to Texas.

Darren, a past president of the Wingham RSL Sub branch and a current member of the Kendall RSL Sub branch, has been shooting for two and a half years.

His interest started with air pistol shooting but he soon switched to single action shooting which he indulges in regularly with local club the Wingham Wranglers.

It was Darren's first trip to the US but he had such a good time he said he would like to do it again next year.

"If I get invited," he said.

Darren's main goal now is to shoot for the 2017 Invictus Games being held in Canada.