Former U.S. Marine training for shooting competition after re-learning to walk

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Shooting a firearm is part of the job when you’re a U.S. Marine. Rob Nishnic knew that when he joined back in 2004, later becoming a drill instructor.

“It was definitely difficult to try to change gears from combat operations over to training recruits,” Nishnic told FOX 5.

The Escondido resident’s time spent overseas took a toll on his body.

“My body started to structurally break down, where my hip socket itself, there was no more cartilage, bone spurs all over the place,” Nishnic said.

In 2011, he traveled to San Diego to get reconstructive hip surgery, a procedure that required him to take a year-and a half off to learn how to walk again.

“[It was] the worst mental shift I can try to explain,” he said of the injury. “Being a mid-20s guy who is used to being able to do really almost anything physically to not being able to even move or walk under my own power, it was a hard pill to swallow.”

After his recovery, the 38-year-old celebrated by trying something new — competitive shooting. He later earned a bronze medal for his skills.

“It was a confident booster,” Nishnic said. “It kind of opened my eyes to what kind of competitions were out there in the firearms industry.”

After being medically retired in 2020, the Marine grew his love for firearms by teaching others the skills that once helped protect him in the field. He took that to the next level in 2024.

“For four years after I retired, I worked privately for a company instructing and teaching. Recently, this past year, I started my own company so I’m the founder and lead instructor for Wraith Defense Group.”

Now, he is training to get his body back to full strength with the hopes of competing in the 2025 Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition West.

“Leveraging my relationship with George-Anthony and Brainstorm Fitness, this is truly the place that I trust to get me back to where I once was” Nishnic said.

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