An Army couple won big in the reality show The Amazing Race, bagging the $1 million grand prize.

Reality TV World shared David and Rachel Brown’s victory, after the “Married Couple” team was the first to cross the finish line of the 20th season of The Amazing Race – despite being sent away for failing to accomplish a task the first time they crossed the finish line, a first for the competition.

Dave was quoted as saying: “I have a newfound appreciation for who my partner is — who my life partner is. ‘Operation Amazing Race’ was a complete success. The eighth victory and setting a new record is just the epitome of success.” Rachel, on the other hand, said: “I feel like this race has really brought us together, and I couldn’t be any more grateful. To have done it together is priceless. It’s such a wonderful thing.”

Dave Brown Jr. is a 33-year-old U.S. Army Officer, according to his profile on CBS. In describing what he does, Dave shared: “I have served in a variety of capacities as an officer for the Wisconsin Army National Guard including Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot, Military Intelligence Officer, and Assistant Professor of Military Science for the University of Wisconsin-Madison.”

Rachel, on the other hand, is a 30-year-old Project Manager handling healthcare software implementations in hospitals and clinics.

Phil Keoghan, host of The Amazing Race, declared the Army couple as the winners as he said: “Rachel and Dave, five continents, nine countries, 22 cities, and more than 36,000 miles. Rachel and Dave, you are the winners of the one million dollars and the official winners of The Amazing Race. Congratulations. You guys are now the official record holders of the most number of wins on The Amazing Race — eight legs of The Amazing Race these guys won.”