AW2 Soldier Receives Highest Military Award for Heroism

Filed under COAD/COAR, Soldier Stories, Warrior Transition Command by on July 13, 2011 at 5:20 pm {no comments}

By SSG Emily Anderson, WTC Stratcom

AW2 Soldier SFC Leroy A. Petry was awarded the Medal of Honor yesterday, the nation’s highest military award for valor.

Yesterday, AW2 Soldier SFC Leroy A. Petry was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for heroism, by President Barack Obama at the White House.

“The service of Leroy Petry speaks to the very essence of America—that spirit that says, no matter how hard the journey, no matter how steep the climb, we don’t quit. We don’t give up,” President Obama said during the award ceremony.

Leroy Petry “showed that true heroes still exist and that they’re closer than you think,” President Obama added.

After months of rehabilitation and therapy, Petry, who joined the Army in September 1999, was able to continue his military career through Continuation on Active Duty (COAD)—an Army program offering many wounded, ill, and injured warriors who desire to continue their Army service, if approved, an opportunity to do so.

Soldiers who meet at least one of three requirements—have served 15-20 years of service, qualify in a critical skill or shortage military occupational specialty, or have a disability as a result of combat or terrorism—can apply to serve through the COAD program, regardless of the extent of their injuries or time in service.

Nearly 177 AW2 Soldiers who are severely wounded, ill, and injured continue to serve in the military. Maintaining these experienced Soldiers is a win-win situation for the Soldier because they are able to continue their military careers, and for the force because the Army benefits from these Soldiers’ skills, experiences, and expertise.

On May 26, 2008, Petry, a Ranger assisting in a daylight helicopter assault mission near Paktya, Afghanistan, and another Ranger, entered an outer courtyard to secure an inner area. Once the inside area was cleared, the two Rangers moved to secure the rest of the vicinity. Unknown to them, the Rangers moved into a section containing enemy fighters.

As the enemies fired upon them, Petry and another Ranger moved to find cover behind a chicken coop, the only available area to shield them.

Before reaching the chicken coop, Petry was wounded by one round, which went through both his legs and the other Ranger, was hit in the side by a separate round. Petry successfully moved the other Ranger out of enemy fire and immediately reported the situation.

When a third Ranger came to their assistance the enemy threw a grenade toward the three Rangers, wounding two of them. Shortly after the first, the enemy threw a second grenade. Realizing the threat, Petry risked his life to save the other Rangers by grabbing the live hand grenade and throwing it away from his fellow Rangers, removing the immediate threat to their lives.

Unfortunately, Petry sustained additional injuries when the grenade detonated shortly after he threw it. The explosion caused the loss of his right hand and multiple shrapnel pieces to penetrate his body.

Despite suffering numerous injuries, Petry remained calm, quickly placed a tourniquet on his right arm and continued to lead.

Once they were out of immediate danger and received medical attention, Petry continued to remain calm and informed the medics about his injuries, which helped them assist Petry with treatment.

“This is the stuff of which heroes are made. This is the strength, the devotion that makes our troops the pride of every American. And this is the reason that—like a Soldier named Leroy Petry— America doesn’t simply endure, we emerge from our trials, stronger, more confident, with our eyes fixed on the future,” said President Obama.

Petry plans to continue what he has been doing for the last 11 years. He will put on the uniform, lace up his boots, and serve his country. He plans to retire from the Army after many more years of service.

Read more about Petry’s story on the U.S. Army website and the Department of Defense website.

 

SGT Seyward McKinney Returns to Warrior Games

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Soldier Stories, Warrior Games by on May 5, 2011 at 5:55 pm {no comments}

By Donna Butler, WTC Stratcom

SGT Seyward McKinney will compete in the 10K recumbent cycling and sitting shot-put events at the 2011 Warrior Games.

In March 2009, AW2 Veteran SGT Seyward McKinney’s life changed. After returning from Iraq, McKinney was diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in her brain. She was treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and underwent numerous surgeries and nine days after the last, one of the vessels in her brain leaked, which caused her to have a stroke. Paralyzed on the right side of her body, she lost her right-sided peripheral vision. Although her injuries are not combat-related, she is a living testament that non-combat related injuries can challenge Soldiers just as much as combat-related injuries.

McKinney is stationed at the Walter Reed Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) and is working diligently to learn how to overcome her injuries. Her efforts have empowered herself to reach another milestone in her life—competing in the 2010 Warrior Games. She competed in the women’s sitting shot-put, in addition to 10K recumbent cycling, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball. These events helped her attain the sense of teamwork she enjoyed in the Army and now can continue to enjoy with athletics. At the 2010 Warrior Games, she won a gold medal in cycling and a bronze medal in shot-put. These two achievements demonstrated to McKinney that with determination and passion, she could continue to succeed.

Over the past year, she continued physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and uses horseback riding as a way to help treat her injuries. Her performance at the 2010 Warrior Games inspired her to continue striving to reach other goals. Since 2010, McKinney purchased a home, participated in a Paws for Purple Hearts internship to work with animals that assist wounded, ill, and injured Veterans, and competed in the New Orleans Ironman competition. These achievements inspired McKinney to raise the bar.

Today, McKinney continues to not let her injuries stand in her way. In a short few weeks, she will return to the Warrior Games to compete in 10K recumbent cycling and sitting shot-put. Her father, William McKinney, is her coach and personal trainer and helps her train for the Warrior Games at the YMCA. Every week, she completes aggressive workouts three times a week and bikes on various local trails. When asked why she is competing again, she responded, “I’d like to keep improving my time on the bike and distance on the shot-put. Looking for speed and distance this time will hopefully lead towards the opportunity to earn another medal.”

She sees the Warrior Games as an opportunity to compete against herself. It’s an opportunity to prove to herself that if she can make it to this level athletically once again, then she can continue to succeed in other areas of her civilian life.

A Story of Resilience–Wounded Warrior Family in New Army Video

Filed under Soldier Stories, WTC Commander by on March 9, 2011 at 3:18 pm {no comments}

By BG Darryl A. Williams, WTC Commander  

Retired SSG Shilo and Kathreyn Harris hope that by sharing their Families’ experiences from point of injury through recovery in a new Army resiliency video that they can help other wounded warriors.

Throughout my more than 25 years in the Army, I have met some amazing Soldiers—many of whom have an equally impressive spouse supporting them. Today, I want to introduce to you one remarkable couple, retired SSG Shilo and Kathreyn Harris. 

Each one, in their own right, truly embodies “Army Strong”:

  • On February, 19, 2007, during his second deployment to Iraq, the vehicle SSG Harris was traveling in was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED), killing three Soldiers, wounding the driver, and leaving SSG Harris with third degree burns on 35% of his body. Due to the severity of his burns, SSG Harris lost his ears, tip of his nose, three fingers, and he sustained fractures to his left collar bone and C-7 vertebrae. Of his experience he states, “I actually consider myself a stronger person now, a better person because I don’t take so much for granted. I feel like I’m a better father, I feel like I’m a better role model for my Family because of the things that I’ve pushed myself to do and accomplished. And, other Soldiers have that. They have it. All they have to do is tap into it and use it.” Since retiring, Shilo became an Outreach Coordinator for the Wounded Warrior Project. 
  • So that Shilo could recover at home, Kathreyn became Shilo’s primary caregiver spending up to six hours a day on his wound care. Additionally, she was mom to their daughter and stepmom to his three sons. During his recovery, she became an Advocate for the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) to support other wounded warriors at Brooke Army Medical Center. She explains, “We both try to give back to the community, to give back to the military community as well as the civilian community, and help bring awareness to not just people injured like Shilo physically but the ones that are mentally injured as well.”

Shilo and Kathreyn are not unlike most of the 8,000 severely wounded, ill, or injured Soldiers, Veterans, and Families the Army supports through our Warrior Care and Transition Program. They each have a story to tell, a story of resilience. 

I encourage you to take time and get to know Shilo and Kathreyn either in person, or through the new video “Warriors in Transition:  A Story of Resilience,” Warrior Transition Command created. Once you have, I am confident they will either change or reinforce  your perspective on service to country, marital strength, and overcoming adversity. This video is them, in their own words. Their fear, pain, fights, tears, counseling, accomplishments, and joys. This nine-part, 30-minute video covers their injury and evacuation, medical treatment, marital challenges, coping with children, emotional recovery, and future goals. They left nothing out.

You can watch or download the video  from the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command’s website.

A New Normal Part III–Bringing it all Together

Filed under General, Resources, Soldier Stories by on October 1, 2010 at 11:57 am {no comments}

By LTC Eric Wolf, Former Chief, Past Conflict Repatriations Branch, Casualty & Mortuary Affairs Operations Center

Editor’s Note: This is the third post in a three-part blog series on LTC Eric Wolf’s thoughts on the 2010 National Defense Forum on Wounded Warriors. You can also read his previous posts entitled Introductory Thoughts on an Inspiring Discussion and Leaders’ Thoughts on Improving Transition. The expressed comments and views of guest bloggers do not reflect the views of WTC or the United States Army.

Several panel members, including Soldiers, leaders, and doctors all agreed that now is the time to remove the word disorder from the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

While a medical diagnosis may require this word, those suffering from this level of stress don’t need to be labeled as “out of order.” 

There is a need throughout the Army, and with all services, to evolve our cultures so that Soldiers understand and believe that being “not okay” is okay.

From basic training to daily Soldiering and to the time when a Soldier is no longer at his or her original “normal,” we must, as a community, instill this new understanding that whenever your reality changes, it is not only ‘okay,’ it is normal to seek out the help you need.

This education must extend well beyond the Soldier to include the communities of counselors, doctors, lawyers, employers, and even Families that surround our Soldiers. 

Bringing a new understanding forward, Soldiers will begin to receive the training, care, and treatment that they need–not what the uninformed believe they need. A mechanic doesn’t use one tool to fix all problems. Why should a doctor?

PTSD may not be a “D,” but it does require effort, patience, love, and a way of thinking things through–a way of thinking that may need to last a lifetime. Everyone in our culture, including those who are connected to us, must understand this new ‘normal.’

Now with my rambling done…

I don’t know if this constitutes a blog, but I decided I would just write what stuck with me and stood out from this impressive event.

From personal and professional experience, I can attest to the resiliency and strength inherent in a Soldier and an Army Family. This conference highlighted many issues, some great and some still in need of vast improvements. My personal take-away is that our leadership is near obsessive in its intent to bring evolutionary developments in care to the Families of our fallen, as well as for our wounded warriors and their Families. 

Are these systems and processes perfect? Far from it. Still, I am certain that our Army leadership, from General Casey and on down the chain, will never leave a fallen comrade behind, regardless of the circumstances.

If you think I’m off target then your mission is to get engaged in working a solution.

As we learned in basic training, look left–look right; someone will be there to listen. Talk to your buddy, your spouse, your leadership, your doc, yourself. You are, and never will be, alone. 

Wounds take on many shapes and size, some are visible, some are not–but all are wounds that need attention. Your new ‘normal’ may take time to evolve, but you will never be alone in this journey.

It was my honor to participate in this event and to have had the chance to share my thoughts with you. My deepest respect goes to all who serve, our Families, and our Nation. Thanks.

A New Normal Part II–Leaders’ Thoughts on Improving Transition

Filed under General, Resources, Soldier Stories by on September 28, 2010 at 9:10 am {no comments}

By LTC Eric Wolf, Former Chief, Past Conflict Repatriations Branch, Casualty & Mortuary Affairs Operations Center

Editor’s Note: This is the second post in a three-part blog series on LTC Eric Wolf’s thoughts on the 2010 National Defense Forum on Wounded Warriors. You can also read his first post entitled Introductory Thoughts on an Inspiring Discussion. The expressed comments and views of guest bloggers do not reflect the views of WTC or the United States Army.

Many of the leaders presented experiences and thoughts that brought to life the issues and concerns affecting wounded warriors and their “new normal.” I figured I would share with you some of these thoughts while I share you my own.

Stealing directly from those who said these words, I offer you “The Tyranny of Distance” by Major General Tod Bunting, Adjutant General of Kansas. He spoke these words when he discussed his state’s attack (pun absolutely intended) on the challenges of distance when providing care to his Reserve and National Guard service members.

Continuing to address the distance problem, MG Bunting highlighted the need to be creative and to not let bureaucracy get in the way of caring for every service member who needed it.

Sergeant Major (SGM) John Ploskonka, SGM of the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment Program, highlighted the Marine’s four pillars of recovery: body, mind, spirit, and family when speaking about wounded Marines’ care and how their connection to the Corps remains a lifetime of devotion. This holistic approach to care is carried throughout the Corps, regardless of circumstances or regardless of whether a Marine is still wearing a uniform.

Senator Jim Webb (D–Va.), the sponsor of the New GI Bill and a Vietnam Veteran with two Purple Hearts, is a man who knows Soldier issues and is not afraid to take a stand on our behalf. After listening to him for close to an hour, I could not imagine a senior member of our Congress more attuned to the mentality of a Soldier, our Families, and our needs.

Colonel Dave Sutherland, Director of Warrior and Family Programs for the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff was quick to point out his own battle with PTSD and his personal and professional devotion to improving the coordination and integration of care across not only the country, but for Soldiers across the globe.

Specifically with COL Sutherland, his words created a mental analogy in my mind of thousands of well-intended, but independent organizations, acting as individual musical instruments–all playing at the same time, but without direction.

As he puts it, his office acts like a musical conductor by coordinating a structure that enables them to start sounding like a symphony. There is still a long way to go, but the music is starting to sound quite beautiful.

Colonel Sutherland was eager to mention The Warrior Gateway as one tool that is helping orchestrate energies between Soldiers and the various agencies offering their support. I checked it out and was deeply impressed.

With all these points of views, I continued to feel the awe I mentioned in my first post–an awe at the leaders and motivators who are determined to battle all obstacles facing wounded warriors.

It’s a determination that will never quit.

A New Normal Part I–Introductory Thoughts on an Inspiring Discussion

Filed under General, Resources, Soldier Stories by on September 24, 2010 at 2:23 pm {one comment}

By LTC Eric Wolf, Former Chief, Past Conflict Repatriations Branch, Casualty & Mortuary Affairs Operations Center

Editor’s Note: This is the first post in a three-part blog series on LTC Eric Wolf’s thoughts on the 2010 National Defense Forum on Wounded Warriors. The expressed comments and views of guest bloggers do not reflect the views of WTC or the United States Army.

Greetings readers. My name is Eric Wolf and I am neither an Army wounded warrior nor have I ever written a blog. Truth in advertising is always a welcomed way to start. 

However, I am a Soldier and someone who is deeply interested in knowing what I can personally and professionally do to support our wounded warriors and their Families.

A friend from the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) staff asked me to take some notes at this year’s National Defense Forum on Wound Warriors held this past Friday, September 9th. This being the second time I’ve attended this conference, I am thankful for the opportunity to share some of my personal thoughts, as well as news and information that I gathered at this day-long event.

This year’s theme was “A New Normal: How is the War Transforming our Force & Families.” There were about 500 attendees, military and civilians, with specialties spanning across the business, medical, private, and public sectors.

In trying to figure out how I wanted to present my thoughts, I first planned to discuss panel-by-panel, but then (thankfully) realized, you can see those names and topics online in the press release from one of the two sponsors, the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

To give you an idea of the event’s seriousness, some of the key speakers included several wounded warriors and their spouses, General George Casey, the Army Chief of Staff, Senator Jim Webb (D–Va.), and The Honorable Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  

Now. With the administrative pieces out of the way, where do I begin?

I guess by first stating that after 25 years in the Army, I remain in awe at the level of unwavering dedication given by our nation, military, and civilian leadership to our wounded warriors. This event furthered my admiration as their dedication became even clearer and their emotion and call-to-action became more and more apparent. 

The event’s theme highlighted the untiring dedication to improve care, explore new methods of treatment, and expand the philosophy and execution of how to support not only our wounded warriors, but those who support them in their “new normal.”

This was a theme that took on many shapes and forms through the perspectives of many different presenters. Each presenter’s take on a theme taught me something new, while widening my own perspective on the topic.

I will explore these viewpoints in more detail in Parts II and III of this series.

AW2 Veteran Andy Soule Wins First U.S. Medal in 2010 Paralympic Games

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Soldier Stories by on March 15, 2010 at 4:01 pm {no comments}

By BG Gary H. Cheek

On Saturday, I was excited to learn that AW2 Veteran Andy Soule had won the bronze medal in the men’s sitting 2.4km pursuit biathlon – America’s first medal of the 2010 Paralympic Games and America’s first ever medal in Paralympic biathlon. Andy finished 5th in the qualifying heat, but his perseverance and determination helped him pull through and win the bronze.

Andy volunteered to serve in the Army after 9/11, and he deployed to Afghanistan through Operation Enduring Freedom. He lost both his legs due to an IED [improvised explosive device] explosion. As he recovered, Andy realized the importance of staying active and quickly hit the slopes to learn how to ski.

“Sports have been absolutely fantastic for me,” said Andy in an interview immediately following the race, “for making me active and giving me something positive to do. I’m happy and this is a dream come true. For anyone facing a disability, life goes on and there’s still plenty of living to do.”

Andy’s success story is an example for all wounded warriors, not just on the slopes of Whistler Olympic Park, but throughout his recovery and transition. He decided to keep moving forward with his life, and look at him now.

Way to represent the Army, Andy! And good luck to you and your four other Veteran teammates competing this week.

Wounded Warrior Bears U.S. Flag at Paralympics

Filed under Soldier Stories, WTC Commander by on March 13, 2010 at 12:52 pm {no comments}

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

AW2 Veteran Heath Calhoun is a double amputee Alpine skier in the 2010 Paralympic Games.

AW2 Veteran Heath Calhoun is a double amputee Alpine skier in the 2010 Paralympic Games.

I’ll be watching the upcoming 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in the days ahead with a great sense of pride as three wounded Soldiers represent the United States in Vancouver. 

As with all Olympic Games, it’s a great honor to bear the flag during the Opening Ceremony.  And this year, teammates selected AW2 Veteran Heath Calhoun, a double amputee Alpine skier, for that honor.  In his paralympic video, Heath stated, “I was injured for what that flag stands for.” 

Service to country runs deep in the Calhoun family. His father served in Vietnam, his grandfather in World War II and Heath as a squad leader in the 101st Airborn Division in Iraq, where an RPG struck his vehicle resulting in the amputation of both legs.

As with most wounded Soldiers, it was important for Heath to remain active post injury so he took up skiing explaining, “It gave me my legs back… when I ski, I rely solely on my own ability.”

I’m sure the U.S. Team will benefit from the dedication, training and strength of all five Veterans:

  • Heath Calhoun (Grundy, Va.), alpine skiing – a double above the knee amputee, retired U.S. Army (Iraq War Veteran) 
  • Chris Devlin-Young (Campton, N.H.), alpine skiing – retired U.S. Coast Guard 
  • Sean Halsted (Spokane, Wash.), cross country skiing – retired U.S. Air Force 
  • Patrick McDonald (Orangevale, Calif.), wheelchair curling – retired U.S. Army 
  • Andy Soule (Pearland, Texas), cross country skiing & biathlon – a double leg amputee, retired U.S. Army (Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom)

I encourage everyone to throw their support behind these Olympic Athletes – and watch true warriors in action.

Proving People Wrong

Filed under Soldier Stories, WTC Commander by on February 2, 2010 at 12:11 pm {no comments}

(L-R) BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander, CPT Scott Smiley, West Point Warrior Transition Unit Commander; Noel Koch, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for the Office of Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy, at the West Point Transition Unit change of command ceremony, February 1, 2010. (Photo courtesy of John Pellino)

(L-R) BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander; CPT Scott Smiley, West Point Warrior Transition Unit Commander; and Noel Koch, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for the Office of Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy; at the West Point Transition Unit change of command ceremony, February 1, 2010. (Photo courtesy of John Pellino)

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

On February 1, CPT Scott Smiley took command of the West Point Warrior Transition Unit. While every WTU change of command is notable because it demonstrates a re-commitment on the part of leadership to the comprehensive support of wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, this particular change of command was even more so.

CPT Smiley proved a lot of people wrong to get to where he is today.

On April 6, 2005 CPT Smiley was severely injured in a suicide bomb attack in Iraq. As a result, he lost his sight. Many thought he couldn’t continue on active duty. He did. When CPT Smiley decided to pursue his MBA at Duke University, many questioned whether he could do it.

He did.

CPT Smiley has gone on to teach cadets at West Point, to climb Mt. Rainier, to serve as an example to all Soldiers and all Americans.

As the commander of WTC, I charge all WTU commanders and cadre to lead our Warriors in Transition and encourage them to embrace ability over disability. CPT Smiley is a shining example of what can be accomplished when a Soldier sets a determined goal and gives his all to achieve it. I cannot be more proud to have CPT Smiley as a commander of a WTU. The Soldiers who are placed under his watch can rest assured that they are being led by someone who has faced tremendous challenges and overcome them—and can lead them to do the same.

I thank CPT Smiley for taking up this new challenge and to his Family who have provided him with the support to do so.

A New Leader with a Unique Vision

Filed under Soldier Stories by on February 1, 2010 at 10:12 am {one comment}

CPT Scott Smiley and his wife Tiffany with their two kids.

CPT Scott Smiley and his wife Tiffany with their two kids.

By Lee McMahon, WTC Stratcom

Today, CPT Scott Smiley takes command of the West Point Warrior Transition Unit. I had a chance to talk with him and his wife, Tiffany, about their thoughts on the upcoming change of command and their future. CPT Smiley is not only becoming a leader of Warriors in Transition, he is a wounded Soldier himself. CPT Smiley was severely injured in a suicide bomb attack in Iraq on April 6, 2005. As a result he lost his sight. This has not stopped him, or his Family, from moving towards their goals and continuing to serve in the Army.

Mrs. Smiley, what was your reaction to learning that your husband would take command of the West Point Warrior Transition Unit?

I was excited for him because we were looking at what our next steps would be. He had been going thru the process of talking to the branch manager and doing all the right things to get promoted. He knew he wanted a company command if he could get that opportunity given his unique case.

CPT Smiley, have you had a chance to develop goals for the WTU?

My leadership mentality is communication — communication on all different levels and with not only the WTU cadre but also with the Warriors in Transition. I want to know what they think their goals should be and what our goals as a unit are. In my mind, communication is the key aspect in allowing me to properly lead the Soldiers.

Mrs. Smiley, will you be teaming up with your husband for any tasks for the WTU?

I would love to. Scotty wants me to help out where I can. I don’t know what the opportunities are but I plan on being there, and supporting the Army as a whole. I feel like I’ve been there in a sense so I will help out where I can because we’re kind of a team.

CPT Smiley, how will you motivate Warriors in Transition?

Being an example is the best way that I have learned over the years to be an inspiration. I definitely mean that in multiple ways. For myself specifically, I was in the Medical Hold Company at Fort Lewis so I can relate to today’s Warriors in Transition. When the Soldiers realize that I was in their position, I can show them that I was motivated to not just sit by. I wanted to set goals for myself and I was inspired to continue on active duty. Also, being the example visually by the story I have and by setting those goals, that’s how I motivate—by being better than what you are at that time.

Mrs. Smiley, what are your goals as a Family for the future?

Scotty always jokes that he makes a five year plan but it never happens. That’s what he was doing when this comes up. His mission is to stay in the Army and serve soldiers where he can. He believes he is here for a reason and he will command this company and do what he can to make it a better place.

CPT Smiley, what do you say to a wounded warrior who is questioning his or her future?

It’s not just for wounded Soldiers, for anyone and everyone going thru tough times, I say we all go through them. My story and my life can be used as an example, losing my sight, being told you’ll never see again. I’ve been through tough times. For myself it’s having faith, I’ve been a Christian my entire life, it’s God who supported me, having my wife to support me, that’s what got me through.

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