Army veteran Danielle Green lost her left arm in a rocket-propelled grenade attack on May 25, 2004, during her deployment to Baghdad. Twenty years later, she exemplifies resilience and strength, as she is set to be featured as the first female combat veteran in a Call of Duty game. A new operator bundle named 50/50, inspired by her story and likeness, will launch alongside the game “Call of Duty: Black Ops 7” on Friday.
The character 50/50 is equipped with a bionic arm modeled after Green’s real-life prosthetic, known as the Hero RGD. This cutting-edge prosthetic was developed by Open Bionics and is supported by the Call of Duty Endowment. The Hero RGD, which made its public debut at the Call of Duty Endowment Bowl in Las Vegas in September 2023, is designed for strength and durability, emphasizing its advanced technology.
Green has spoken highly of her bionic arm, stating, “I love my bionic arm. It gives me balance, it makes me feel whole.” For her, the prosthetic represents not only technology but also hope and inspiration for other amputees, especially young girls. Her journey of adaptation after losing her arm has been challenging, as she had to relearn many daily tasks as a left-handed person.
The Hero RGD is notable for its fusion of titanium joints and high-strength nylon, featuring a wireless muscle-sensor system that allows rapid and precise hand movement. It can lift up to 77 pounds and is reported to be twice as fast as available alternatives. Personal touches on her custom version of the arm include the date of her injury, coordinates for Mount Kilimanjaro (which she climbed), and a purple wedding band from the battlefield.
Samantha Payne, co-founder and CEO of Open Bionics, has long admired Green’s story through her involvement with the Wounded Warrior Project. She highlighted Green’s strength and determination, stating, “She exudes strength and a vibrant, live-your-best-life energy.”
The Hero RGD was developed over four years at an approximate cost of $2 million with the aim of creating the strongest and most reliable prosthetic limb. Payne emphasized the accessibility of the device, noting that the Department of Veterans Affairs funds the Hero RGD for eligible veterans who are encouraged to reach out for assistance.
Green’s collaboration with Call of Duty originated from a partnership between the Endowment and Open Bionics to showcase veteran stories within the gaming community. She sees the project as a way to support fellow veterans in finding purpose after military service.
Dan Goldenberg, executive director of the Call of Duty Endowment, remarked on the importance of highlighting the resilience of veterans like Green, contrasting stories of struggle with those of recovery and success. Since 2009, the Endowment has helped place over 150,000 veterans into civilian jobs, offering support for career coaching and résumé assistance.
Overall, Green’s story and her representation in gaming serve to bridge the gap between veteran recovery and mainstream entertainment. Proceeds from her operator bundle will contribute to the Endowment’s mission of aiding veterans in finding meaningful employment. As Green herself stated, “This isn’t the end of my story. It’s just a new chapter. We are not talking about surviving anymore. We are talking about thriving.”
