AFAP Delegates Rate AW2 Among Top Army Strengths

Filed under Symposium by on March 11, 2011 at 2:21 pm {2 comments}

By LTC Deb Cisney, AW2 Symposium Action Officer

AW2 Symposium Action Officer LTC Deb Cisney (right) is photographed with an AW2 spouse (left) at the 2010 Army Family Action Plan Worldwide Conference

As the AW2 Action Officer for the AW2 Symposium and Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) issues, I wanted to share an update that indicates AW2’s impact is noticed around the Army.

At the recent AFAP Worldwide Conference, delegates voted AW2 the Army’s Number 2 strength in Mobilization, Deployment, and Family.

These delegates weren’t just wounded warriors and their Families. In fact, AW2 delegates were a very small part of the group. The 110 delegates at this conference spanned the full scope of the Army population. They represented Army installations both stateside and abroad, and Families and Soldiers affected by every aspect of Army life.

By ranking AW2 among the top Army strengths, delegates acknowledged the importance of AW2’s mission: to provide personalized support to the Army’s most severely wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families.

AW2 is now accepting applications for the 2011 AW2 Symposium. AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families interested in attending should to talk their AW2 Advocates and submit the Delegate Solicitation Form via email to AW2@conus.army.mil

AW2 Veterans and Families Soldier on While Helping Those That Follow

Filed under Soldier and Family Story, Staff Story by on February 7, 2011 at 5:14 pm {no comments}

By Tania Meireles, WTC Stratcom

I felt like a nervous kid who was about to meet a room full of celebrities. For me, AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families are celebrated people—they are my heroes. I see their pictures and hear their stories and when I have an opportunity to meet them in person—it is a rare and unforgettable privilege.

Last week eight AW2 Veterans and Family members, who participated in the 2010 AW2 Symposium , participated in the Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) Worldwide Conference. At the AFAP Worldwide Conference, delegates voted on issues presented at previous conferences to be selected for presentation to Army leadership.

Matthew Staton

To my left was Matthew Staton, AW2 Veteran and direct advisor and staff assistant to the Secretary of the Army on wounded Soldier matters. Staton has learned to capitalize on assistive technology—such as smartphones—to keep organized and combat memory issues. He advocates for the Department of Defense Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program, or CAP, that provides technologies to assist those with disabilities throughout the Defense Department and other federal agencies. He is optimistic about an upcoming surgery to alleviate some pain he is experiencing. “It will improve my quality of life,” he said. “Even though I won’t be too mobile for a while, I have the capabilities to work and be productive from home.”  

James Howard and Anne Hall

James Howard and his wife Anne Hall believe the AW2 Symposium and AFAP conference have a good process to focus on topicsand be productive. “I loved the AW2 Symposium,” said Hall. “I am proud of the AW2 issues and it is rewarding to see the AFAP process firsthand.” They have been extremely busy volunteering with several organizations that support Soldiers, Veterans, and Families. “We’ve been seeking out Veterans in our area to mentor too,” said Howard. “Helping others is very rewarding.” 

Delano and Melissa Smith, who are notorious for their amazing clothes, were dressed to the nines and with personalities even more remarkable. “I am a passionate person,” he said about participating in AFAP. “I put myself in the shoes of the Soldiers coming behind us.” His wife agreed, “We want to make it easier for the next ones,” she said. They are “settling into life” post injury. He is currently

Delano and Melissa Smith

attending college courses and said it was an “uphill but rewarding battle” because of his memory issues. At the AW2 Symposium last year, they met an AW2 Family with a service dog who helps the AW2 Soldier with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are currently working with an organization to receive a service dog of their own and are very excited about this new member of their Family.

The Smiths gave me a big hug before they went back to their focus group discussions, and I was honored to spend a few minutes speaking to the delegates and sharing in their strength.

To learn more about the AFAP conference, visit the WTC Blog.

Hats Off to AW2 Symposium Delegates

Filed under Symposium by on July 6, 2010 at 3:46 pm {2 comments}

By Ronnie Thomas, Guest Blogger

Ronnie Thomas speaks to a focus group at the 2009 AW2 Symposium.

Editor’s Note: Ronnie Thomas served as the Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) representative at the first five AW2 Symposiums. At the 2009 Symposium, Ronnie and LTC Deb Cisney, AW2 Operations Officer, explained how AW2 uses the AFAP process to help Symposium delegates prioritize the issues facing wounded warriors.

This is the first time in six years that I have not been assisting with the AW2 Symposium. I wanted to share how sad I am not to have been able to be a part of something that had become for me a labor of love. My memories of the last five years serve as a reminder of the bravery and dedication our Soldiers and their Families that I have had the privilege to meet and know.

My first experience was an overwhelming emotional roller coaster as I listened and observed these brave men and women. They worked hard clairifying issues for the Army to resolve—NOT for themselves but to make it better for the future wounded warriors, so they would have it better. What an incredible experience! All I could think of was how they had been through so much personal and Family upheaval, and their thoughts were of making it better for the next folks. I left that Symposium feeling proud of having been part of something that would really make a difference and determined to participate the following year.

Subsequent Symposia have not disappointed—my experience has been the same with each group of individuals I meet. Their stories are all different but one thing is common among them all: they are seeking ways to improve the care and quality of life for those who follow them.

There are a group of people who provide support to the AW2 and wounded warriors—the AW2 staff. I have watched over the years as they have grown to understand the magnitude of what they do and the impact their support has on the program’s members. My hat is off to each of them for their special skills and I miss attending the daily meetings during the Symposium. I must also recognize the many volunteers from all over the country who give of their personal time to support the AW2 conference in a variety of roles, from workgroup facilitators, recorders, issue support to the Operations center—you all have a special place in my heart and I know the passion you feel for this event and the people involved.

I look forward to seeing the Symposium results and again, I want to say…Thank you for requesting assistance at that first Symposium—as a result I have become a better person. God Bless and safe travels—I hope our paths will cross again!

AW2 to Participate in 2010 AFAP Worldwide Conference

Filed under 2009 Symposium, Symposium by on January 11, 2010 at 5:28 pm {one comment}

The Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) Worldwide Conference will be held this week in Arlington, VA. AFAP was founded 25 years ago by a group of spouses who felt Army leadership should hear from Family members on bases around the world. Throughout the year AFAP conducts various different conferences, including the AW2 Symposium, to prioritize and highlight issues submitted by Army Soldiers and Families to Army leadership.

At the AFAP Worldwide Conference, delegates will vote on issues presented at previous conferences to be selected for presentation to Army leadership. Once the issues are selected, they are then sent to the Army Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, and Sergeant Major of the Army, who then assign them to relevant officers for actions.

AW2 will be participating in the 2010 AFAP Conference and will be presenting the Top 10 2009 AW2 Symposium Issues:

  • Community Support Coordinators in Geographically Dispersed Area
  • Comprehensive Psycoeducation for PTSD & TBI for Soldiers, Families, and Caregivers
  • Concurrent Receipt of Retired and VA Disability Pay
  • Process to Address Patient Feedback System in All VA Treatment Facilities
  • PTSD & TBI Education for DoD Healthcare Personnel
  • Stipend for Primary Caregivers of Ill/Injured Servicemembers
  • Service Dogs for Wounded Warriors
  • Understaffing of Behavioral Health Providers on All Army Installations
  • Enforcement of Medical Profile Compliance
  • Soldiers with PTSD/TBI Separated under Psychological / Behavioral Disorder Chapters

These issues were voted on by the AW2 Soldiers, Families, and Caregivers that attended the summer 2009 AW2 Symposium in San Antonio, TX.

Several AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families from the 2009 AW2 Symposium will be attending the 2010 AFAP Worldwide Conference and the AW2 Blog will feature stories from them about their experiences at AFAP later in the week.

AW2 Symposium: The AFAP Process

Filed under 2009 Symposium, Symposium by on July 13, 2009 at 3:45 pm {no comments}

–By Sarah Greer, AW2 Stratcom–

What’s Going on Here

The AW2 Symposium uses the Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) process as one way to elevate the AW2 top issues of concern to senior Army leadership.  Over the last year, AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Family members have raised issues, and the Symposium delegates will narrow them down to the five of greatest concern to the AW2 population.

For the last four days, AW2 Symposium delegates have been narrowing down 70 issues submitted by AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Family members.  Tomorrow, each of the five Symposium focus groups will present their top two issues to the rest of the delegates, WTC Commander BG Gary Cheek, AW2 Director COL Jim Rice, and AW2 Sergeant Major SGM Brent Jurgersen.

Delegates will then vote on their top five issues.  Army-specific issues will move forward in the AFAP process, including action through the AFAP worldwide conference in January 2010. For issues involving other agencies, AW2 will use other appropriate avenues to bring the issues forward.

What is AFAP?

AFAP was founded 25 years ago by a group of spouses who felt Army leadership should hear from Family members on bases around the world.  They conduct eight conferences, including the AW2 Symposium, throughout the year to prioritize issues submitted by Army Soldiers and Families.  Each conference divides delegates into focus groups, which discuss and prioritize previously-submitted issues.  At the annual AFAP worldwide conference, two issues from each event (including the AW2 Symposium) and two from OCONUS Army installations are selected to be presented to Army leadership.  The issues are presented to the Army Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, and Sergeant Major of the Army, who assign them to relevant officers for action.

“AFAP issues have changed a lot over the years,” said Ronnie Thomas, AFAP’s representative at the AW2 Symposium.”I was one of the original spouses, and at the beginning, we focused on family support, relocation issues, and child care.  Now, we see a lot more concern about the single Soldier, medical concerns, and specific populations, like wounded warriors.”

How does AW2 Use the AFAP Process?

“Using the AFAP process serves the AW2 population well,” said MAJ Deb Cisney, the AW2 Operations Officer charged with overseeing all aspects of the AW2 Symposium. “This is the Army’s official method for addressing Soldier and Family issues, and AFAP conferences highlight issues the Army doesn’t normally delve into, such as community and collaboration issues.”

“They’ve really learned how to support our Soldiers and Veterans, and we appreciate being able to work with the same people year after year,” she added. “The AFAP team also helps us track the issues throughout the year and identify subject matter experts and action officers.”

What’s So Special about an AW2 Symposium?

There are several differences between an AW2 Symposium and a regular AFAP conference.”We only have AW2 delegates,” said MAJ Cisney.”It’s almost as though AW2 is hosting an AFAP conference.”  In addition, AW2 places an AW2 Advocate in each room to help gauge the needs of individual delegates. “AFAP has been incredibly supportive of AW2 and sensitive to our population,” said MAJ Cisney.

Ronnie has attended all five AW2 Symposiums and believes that AW2 has developed a great rhythm for working through the issues each year. “AW2 Symposium is different than the other AFAP conferences,” said Ronnie. “The issues are focused on this specific population, and the AFAP team has learned to accommodate Soldiers suffering from PTSD and TBIs.”

“For the first time, we’ve also placed an Advocate Mentor in each room,” added MAJ Cisney.  These specific AW2 Advocates are all AW2 Soldiers or spouses themselves. “No one can do what they do, they’ve walked in our Soldiers’ shoes, and they can quickly determine what individual delegates need.”

Another difference between an AW2 Symposium and an AFAP conference is that AW2 sometimes assigns a specific issue to more than one group. “This helps us get different perspectives,” said MAJ Cisney.

This year, AFAP staff are more involved in the formatting process for the individual issue reports.” Army leadership looks for specific key words when deciding on the best course of action for an issue,” said MAJ Cisney. “The AFAP team knows how to phrase things so leadership gets a clear picture of the focus groups’ intent.  They work closely with the groups to make sure the language still reflects their conversations.”

What Should AW2 Delegates Keep in Mind?

Ronnie had some great advice for Symposium delegates. “Be flexible and open,” she said. “Speak your mind and trust us – we really are here to help.”

AFAP staff also come away from Symposium with more respect for AW2 Soldier, Veterans, and spouses. “I am always inspired after an AW2 Symposium,” Ronnie added. “Every year, it is a life-changing experience.  You see the resilience and strength in these Soldiers, and their devoted spouses.  It helps me put my own life in perspective, my catastrophes become trivial when I hear these Soldiers talk about the challenges they overcome.”

“The resiliency of wounded warrior Families is incredibly powerful,” said Michelle Reilly, one of the focus group facilitators. “They’re here to tell their story, but also to improve the experience for Soldiers coming behind them.”

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