AW2 Symposium
UPDATE: IN SUPPORT OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 13589 "PROMOTING EFFICIENT SPENDING" AND THE FOLLOW-ON OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET MEMORANDUM, PUBLISHED 11 MAY 2012, "PROMOTING EFFICIENT SPENDING TO SUPPORT AGENCY OPERATIONS," THE 2012 WTC/AW2 SYMPOSIUM AND CAREER EXPO ARE INDEFINITELY POSTPONED.
For questions, contact the AW2 Contact Center
Nationwide (toll-free): 877-393-9058
Overseas DSN: 312-221-9113
Email: usarmy.pentagon.medcom-WTC.mbx.contact-center@mail.mil
Each year, AW2 organizes the AW2 Symposium to improve the support of wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, Families, and caregivers. The AW2 Symposium, using the Army Family Action Plan 
(AFAP) process, provides a formal voice for the AW2 and WTU populations to key leadership at the Headquarters, Department of the Army, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal agencies. These leaders use the input from each Symposium to improve processes, make changes, and institute new initiatives.
The 2012 AW2 Symposium will take place on June 10-15, 2012 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, FL.
In conjunction with Sympoisium, AW2 will hold the Southern Region Career Expo at the Rosen Centre on June 8-9, 2012.
The 2012 Symposium will offer a Community Support Exhibit Hall, Family Night, Date Night, and other activities designed to help families reconnect. In addition, children of delegates will spend the week with other children of wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and Veterans at the nearby YMCA Camp Wewa through Operation Purple® , an urban adventure camp hosted by the National Military Family Association.
AW2 Symposium Process
At the AW2 Symposium, delegates representing a cross section of WTU and AW2 populations are placed into working groups to prioritize the top two issues in categories such as medical, Family, transition, careers, and Veteran's Affairs.
At the end of the week, all delegates come together, and each group presents its top two issues and their recommendations for resolving the issues to key Army and VA leaders. These prioritized issues are then elevated and submitted to the Army Worldwide AFAP Conference for resolution. Progress is tracked and reported as the action officers work toward resolution.
What is an "Issue"?
Throughout the year, wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers at WTUs, AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, Family members, caregivers and anyone else involved in the care and transition of wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and Veterans can submit an issue to AW2. These issues are challenges or concerns that individuals have experienced with agencies involved in the care and transition of wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, Veterans, Family members, and caregivers. To submit and issue, please fill out this AW2 Symposium Issue Submission form.
Past Issues Status
Top issues from previous AW2 Symposiums have impacted real change for wounded warriors and their Families, such as the establishment of:
- Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) for Soldiers requiring at least six months of complex medical care
- Soldier and Family Assistance Centers (SFACs) at WTUs to provide comprehensive, one-stop offices for administrative and personal resources for wounded warriors and their Families
- AW2 Community Support Network, to connect AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families with caring organization
- Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (SCAADL) and The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 authorize a monthly stipend for caregivers of severely wounded, ill, and injured Veterans and Soldiers