After Afghanistan

After Afghanistan

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On June 12, 2012, Sergeant Matt Krumwiede was on patrol in Afghanistan when he stepped on a homemade bomb which tore away both his legs, damaged his left arm, and ripped open his abdominal cavity.

The 22-year-old has since undergone around 40 surgeries and is now learning to walk with prosthetic legs. Despite the severity of what happened to him, he is keen to re-join the infantry as soon as his injuries allow.

. Zharay, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Fellow soldiers carry Krumwiede just after he stepped on a device which unleashed about 15lbs (6.8 kilos) of explosives directly into his body.

Krumwiede sustained the injury while serving as a sergeant with U.S. forces, which came to Afghanistan in 2001.

The United States led an invasion of the country soon after the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, toppling its Taliban-led government which harboured al Qaeda leaders.

The army’s 12-year presence has generated deep enmity among some Afghans, who resent what they see as U.S. violations of their sovereignty and civilian casualties flowing from U.S. military operations.

. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

For the last year and half, Krumwiede has been recovering from his injuries at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, where he goes to formation with other injured soldiers, attends doctors' appointments and undergoes physical and occupational therapy.

He is learning to walk again with the use of prosthetic legs while also waiting for his abdominal injuries to heal.

Krumwiede grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, and joined the army at the end of high school. “It’s all I wanted to do since I was four years old and can’t imagine doing anything else,” he said.

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Slideshow

Matt Krumwiede patrols in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, the day before he was injured by an improvised explosive device.
. Zharay, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Matt Krumwiede patrols in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, the day before he was injured by an improvised explosive device.

A medic treats Krumwiede after he was wounded by the powerful blast.
. Zharay, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

A medic treats Krumwiede after he was wounded by the powerful blast.

U.S. soldiers carry their injured comrade towards a Blackhawk Medevac helicopter.
. Afghanistan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/Files

U.S. soldiers carry their injured comrade towards a Blackhawk Medevac helicopter.

Krumwiede’s blood-covered M4 rifle lies on the ground.
. Afghanistan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/Files

Krumwiede’s blood-covered M4 rifle lies on the ground.

Fellow soldiers react after Krumwiede was wounded.
. Afghanistan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Fellow soldiers react after Krumwiede was wounded.

Over a year later, the injured soldier lies recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Over a year later, the injured soldier lies recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

He gets onto a gurney at the facility.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

He gets onto a gurney at the facility.

Krumwiede (front, second left) lines up for morning formation at Brooke Army Medical Center.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede (front, second left) lines up for morning formation at Brooke Army Medical Center.

He plays a drumming computer game during occupational therapy at the Center for the Intrepid, which is part of the army medical facility.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

He plays a drumming computer game during occupational therapy at the Center for the Intrepid, which is part of the army medical facility.

Krumwiede attaches a prosthetic leg before he practices walking with physical therapist Troy Hopkins.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede attaches a prosthetic leg before he practices walking with physical therapist Troy Hopkins.

The recovering soldier takes some steps alongside the physical therapist.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

The recovering soldier takes some steps alongside the physical therapist.

Krumwiede practices walking over gravel.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede practices walking over gravel.

The injured sergeant has a wound tended to by his mother Pam, after a hunting trip at a ranch outside San Antonio.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

The injured sergeant has a wound tended to by his mother Pam, after a hunting trip at a ranch outside San Antonio.

Krumwiede sits in pain while his friend Sergeant Jesse McCart and his mother Pam talk after a day of hunting.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede sits in pain while his friend Sergeant Jesse McCart and his mother Pam talk after a day of hunting.

Krumwiede talks to McCart, who also lost his legs in Afghanistan, as they spend time at a hunting ranch.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede talks to McCart, who also lost his legs in Afghanistan, as they spend time at a hunting ranch.

McCart pushes Krumwiede in a wheelchair at the ranch.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

McCart pushes Krumwiede in a wheelchair at the ranch.

He helps Krumwiede off the ground.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

He helps Krumwiede off the ground.

Krumwiede sits in a jeep as he hunts with McCart.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede sits in a jeep as he hunts with McCart.

He grips his gun during the hunting trip.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

He grips his gun during the hunting trip.

The two injured soldiers sit together in the jeep at the ranch.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

The two injured soldiers sit together in the jeep at the ranch.