A Royal Australian Navy officer has become one of only two full-time serving members to compete in an Olympic or Paralympic Games.

Lieutenant Commander Dave Miln represented Australia in Para Cross-Country Skiing and Para Biathlon at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games.

He described his experience there as transformative.

“From training to qualifying, and the Games themselves, Paralympics 2026 has been life-changing,” Lieutenant Commander Miln said. 

“I’m honoured to have represented Australia, as well as Navy and the ADF, at Paralympic level.”

Lieutenant Commander Miln said he was inspired by the veterans from other nations he met during the Games.

“There was so much talent there, lots of learning points as a professional athlete,” he said. 

His parents in Italy and his wife, children and a legion of supporters in Australia cheered his efforts in Milano Cortina on.

Some of the most enthusiastic fans were Lieutenant Commander Miln’s colleagues in Navy, who closely followed his achievements.

“In addition to my family, I am very grateful for the incredible support and encouragement from people at home,” he said.

Lieutenant Commander Miln was joined by Able Seaman Taryn Dickens, who also represented Australia in Para Biathlon and Para Cross-Country Skiing.

'Paralympics 2026 has been life-changing.'

Keen to highlight the “incredible power of sport”, Lieutenant Commander Miln encouraged Navy and Defence to continue doing all it can to support serving members participating in elite sports, especially those living with a disability.

An experienced skier, he was on a family skiing trip in California in 2022 when he was injured in an accident with a snow removal machine.

It resulted in the amputation of both his legs, one above and the other below the knee.

After a long recovery, Lieutenant Commander Miln began training for international competition, starting in Canada in 2024.

Last year, he acted as flagbearer at the 2025 Invictus Games, where he also claimed a silver medal.

Driven by his military mindset and the mentality that nothing is impossible, Lieutenant Commander Miln said he hoped his experience would prompt others to tackle and overcome adversity. 

“This has also been an important journey of self-discovery and I am inspired to continue it to new heights,” he said.

Only days after returning to Australia, Lieutenant Commander Miln turned his sights to the triathlon in the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles.

“I hope this sends a message to others who might experience challenges, whether they be in Navy or elsewhere, of what is possible,” he said.