BG Cheek
By BG Gary Cheek
As the commander of the Warrior Transition Command (WTC), I’m honored to be given the opportunity to serve Soldiers and Families in this important capacity. The fact that I’m not a medical professional—instead I’m a career Field Artillery officer—is evidence that the Army sees the care and support of wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers not as just a medical responsibility, but as an overall Army responsibility.
The establishment of the WTC will better enable the Army to support you by integrating the Warrior Care and Transition Office (WCTO), the Warrior Transition Office (WTO), and the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) into one command to serve as the Army’s organizational focal point for Army warrior care.
This marks a major milestone in transforming the way the Army delivers outpatient care and services—one that provides focused leadership for Soldiers and comprehensive program management across the Army and beyond. This transformation began with the establishment of the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) in April of 2004 and continued in April of 2007 with the creation of 30+ Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) at major Army installations worldwide and Community-Based Warrior Transition Units (CBWTUs) located regionally around the U.S.
As part of this transformation, we are implementing a Comprehensive Transition Plan for each Soldier that serves as a personal roadmap, with specific milestones for recovery and transition. We are also partnering with other U.S. government agencies, private industry, and universities around the country to establish programs for employment, education, and internships that help make the transition as smooth as possible.
The Army has come a long way in improving warrior care and has established a program that delivers high quality care and transition services to Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families. But it’s not perfect. Every day the members of this command strive to make the program better, and we are constantly seeking your input on what needs to get fixed and how we can take the program to the next level.
To our Soldiers and Veterans, I thank you for your service to our country and for the hard work, courage, perseverance, and strength that you show every day. It is your inspiration that drives us to constantly work to improve the care and support the Army provides to Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families.
To our Families, you are incredibly important to the mission of the Warrior Transition Command. As an Army, we are forever grateful and indebted for everything you do to support your Soldier or Veteran. We could never replace the love, care, and support that you give them, but we hope that the Army and the WTC will better enable you to support them.
