A Rewarding Challenge for an Artilleryman

Filed under WTC by on August 26, 2010 at 4:56 pm {no comments}

By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

Hearing wounded warriors stories inspired BG Cheek throughout his two years as Commander.

With all our moves, tours, and policy changes, no military career is without surprise. I know I was shocked when I was asked to establish the Warrior Transition Command (WTC) that was to oversee the Army’s program to take care of our wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and their Families.

Me, a field artilleryman, an Assistant Surgeon General? 

But to build a systematic, yet personalized approach to warrior care that would positively impact retention, make a positive contribution to Army Force Generation, and help ensure a combat ready operational Reserve Component was a challenge I was honored to face.

While I worked to create the vision for the new command, I was constantly inspired by the wounded warriors that I met at Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) around the country. Their dedication to Continue on Active Duty, work hard to change MOS, and the ambitious and forward looking goals they set as Veterans kept me motivated to do my best. I couldn’t give less in my job than they did in theirs as they worked to recover and transition to life post injury. 

Each Warrior in Transition (WT) and Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Soldier or Veteran has a story to tell–many of which you can read about on both the WTC and AW2 blogs, such as:

  • Captain Scott Smiley, a blind Soldier who is currently commanding the West Point WTU
  • The wounded warrior athletes who represented the Army at the inaugural Warrior Games
  • Diana Hume, a reservist’s spouse, and her awe inspiring story of fighting for and being there for her Soldier with PTSD

To these and all the other Soldiers, Veterans, and Family Members I met, thank you for sharing your dreams and accomplishments with me. I will carry them with me as I move forward. To all the many brave warriors I came to know, thank you for your service. You are a dynamic group of Soldiers that I have been proud to serve. 

But like anything in the Army, it’s all about the team. Just as our WTs and AW2 Soldiers and Veterans rely on their triad of care or their Advocate, I relied on my staff at WTC. Their dedication to this mission and the care of our wounded, injured, and ill was at times Herculean. An idea is easy—building the required infrastructure is not. They never took the easy way, never shied away from an obstacle. I could not have asked for a stronger team, and that includes the WTU Cadre and our partners throughout the Army, the VA, and the Department of Labor—thanks for all your hard work. 

As an artilleryman, I approached my two years here with calculated focus. Identifying the necessary actions to reach the target and then move out. My successor, COL Darryl Williams, will no doubt keep the WTC and Army’s Warrior Care and Transition Program moving forward.  Coming from the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program, he understands the effort and reward of setting up Soldiers for long-term success. 

Before I move on to Army G1 as Director of Military Personnel Management, I want to share one last thought.  

Taking care of those who serve this country, as well as those in need around the world, is our responsibility. Our government. Our Department of Defense. Our Army. Our Medical Command. Our Military Health System. Our Department of Veterans Affairs. Our Veteran Service Organizations. Our corporate leaders. Our local non-profits. Our citizens. One organization alone cannot do it all. Together, our efforts will ensure that our wounded, ill, and injured Service Members can continue to serve in uniform or transition into productive retirement post injury. 

It has indeed been the good fight, the right fight. Keep up the good work.

Army’s Wounded Give Marching Orders for Five Areas of Improvement

Filed under 2010 Symposium, Soldier and Family Story by on June 29, 2010 at 12:35 pm {2 comments}

Alexandria, VA—Sixty-five severely wounded Soldiers, Veterans, and their Family members prioritized the top issues facing the Army’s wounded warriors. This year, the delegates at the annual Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Symposium selected five items to be addressed:

  1. Medically retired servicemember’s eligibility for Concurrent Receipt of Disability Pay (CRDP)
  2. Post 9/11 GI Bill transferability to dependents for all medically retired servicemembers
  3. Mandatory post-traumatic stress disorder/traumatic brain injury (PTSD/TBI) training for Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare staff
  4. Transfer option from Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) to Permanent Disability Retired (PDR) for wounded warriors
  5. Benefits and entitlements information to wounded warrior primary caregivers

“The AW2 Symposium is about listening to those who have been through it and learning firsthand about ways we can continue to improve how we care for our most severely wounded, injured, and ill Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families—then take action,” said AW2 Director COL Jim Rice. “These delegates were the voice of the Army’s 7,000 severely wounded Soldiers, and we listen very closely to what they say.”

Issues raised at previous symposiums that have been resolved include expanded facilities to treat TBIs and a stipend for primary caregivers of severely wounded servicemembers to the creation of the AW2 Community Support Network and a $10,000 increase in VA housing benefits.

The final issues were announced at the conclusion of the AW2 Symposium, which took place from June 21-25 in San Antonio, TX. The top issues were chosen from more than 80 topics that were discussed in five focus groups: medical, careers, Family, Soldier support, and VA.

AW2 Symposium delegate and Veteran, Matt Staton, stated, “I can leave this event knowing that my voice, and the voices of the Soldiers I represent, will be heard. The AW2 Symposium is an excellent process for the Army to listen and to improve warrior care. All the delegates leave with the knowledge that a lot of people in the Army are striving to improve the care we wounded warriors receive.”

For the last six years, AW2 has served the most severely wounded, injured, and ill Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families. AW2 assists and advocates for the most severely wounded Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families, wherever they are located, regardless of their military status, for as long as it takes. AW2 is part of the Warrior Transition Command (WTC)—a new one-star command under the U.S. Army Medical Command that serves as the central comprehensive source for warrior care support across the Army. To learn more about AW2, visit www.AW2.army.mil or call 800-237-1336.

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Opening Ceremony Inspires Athletes and Crowd

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games, WTC by on May 11, 2010 at 11:08 am {no comments}

By Sarah Greer, WTC Stratcom

The inaugural Warrior Games opening ceremony, Colorado Springs, CO, May 10, 2010.

The inaugural Warrior Games opening ceremony, Colorado Springs, CO, May 10, 2010.

I had the honor of attending the Opening Ceremonies of the inaugural Warrior Games. This may be one of the most memorable, inspiring evenings of my life, and I know those around me felt the same way.

“This feels like the Olympics because it is like the Olympics,” BG Gary Cheek, Commander of the Warrior Transition Command, told the Army team before the event. “You’re athletes—you’re here to compete and to win.”

Standing at the U.S. Olympic Training Center was incredible—if you listened closely, you could hear many of the 1,500 spectators talk about the Olympians and Paralympians that had inspired them through the decades—track and field champions, hockey teams, swimmers, figure skaters, and so many others. Everywhere you walk on this campus, you see the names and images of many of America’s greatest athletes.

Each of the teams marched down the Olympic Pathway, followed by one torchbearer from each of the services. The Army led, and the Coast Guard representative handed off the flame to retired football star Roger Staubach, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, who lit the Warrior Games cauldron. As the cauldron erupted in flames, the crowd and athletes chanted, “USA! USA! USA!” with contagious enthusiasm.

The speakers emphasized that, just like all services come together to defend America’s freedom, this week, all services are competing as Team USA. At the end of the week, the medal count, Ultimate Champion, and Commander’s Cup don’t matter as much as the patriotism and can-do attitude.

The athletes competing this week really belong here—they’re such dynamic, resilient, and incredible people. As they marched down the Olympic Pathway, no one saw disabilities—instead, we all noticed the pride, the determination of these Americans who have sacrificed so much for our country. Beyond the friendly rivalry between services, there was a deeper bond; they understand the rewards of overcoming impossible odds.

AW2 Weekly Digest April 12-23

Filed under Soldier Story, Weekly News Digest by on April 26, 2010 at 8:45 pm {no comments}
  • AW2 Veterans Juan Arredondo, Bryan Hinojosa, Brian Neuman, and Michael Schlitz and AW2 Soldiers SGT Robert Brown and MAJ David Underwood, featured in Army News, encouraged paratroopers to help stop Soldier suicides.
  • AW2 Soldier SPC Charles Berninghausen was featured in a 9 NEWS article about the assistance he received from AW2 and Freedom Service Dogs.
  • AW2 Veterans Heath Calhoun and Melissa Stockwell, featured on DCmilitary.com, were special guests at a showing of ‘‘Warrior Champions, From Baghdad to Beijing,” at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
  • AW2 Veteran Heath Calhoun, featured on Whowon.com, unveiled the official race logo on the pace car, took some laps, and participated in media interviews for the The Heath Calhoun 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race.  He is also featured in a Defense News article Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates hosting the Paralympic Team at the Pentagon.
  • BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander, was featured in Defense News discussing Warrior Games and in the Fort Hood Sentinel discussing Ride 2 Recovery.
  • AW2 Soldier SSG Leon Cooper, featured on DCmilitary.com, helped their fellow warriors and others evacuate the building and prevented anyone from being injured during a fire at Walter Reed.
  • AW2 Soldier MAJ Tammy Duckworth, featured in Lahontan Daily News, shared a powerful message about her personal quest for success as a Veterans advocate at the third annual Nevada Women Veterans Summit. She was also featured in DOD “Wounded Warrior Diaries.”
  • AW2 Soldier SGT Andrew Eads, featured on KMEGTV14, was offered an all-expenses-paid hunting trip from a group of Nebraskans.
  • AW2 Veteran Nicholas Ebbinghaus was featured in Building Strong ® in an article about AW2 Advocate Joyce Garrett providing career assistance and his new career opportunity.
  • AW2 Soldier SGT Derrick Ford and his Family, featured on DCmilitary.com, are learning to adjust to a ‘new normal’ off Walter Reed.
  • AW2 Veteran Steve Holloway was featured in WPTV for receiving a specially adapted home from Homes for Our Troops.
  • AW2 Veteran Nathan Hunt was featured on the Pentagon Channel on April 12 in a story about wounded warriors participating in a Ride 2 Recovery event. He is also slated to receive a specially adapted house according to PR Newswire.
  • AW2 Soldier SGT John Hyland, featured on Motorsport.com, been selected to sing the national anthem for Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on May 30.
  • AW2 Veteran Matthew Lammers was featured in an Action 3 News and KTRK article for receiving a specially adapted home from the HelpingaHero.org Home Program.
  • AW2 Soldier SGT Daniel Lopez, featured in Peninsula Warrior and WAVY-TV 10, will participate in the Warrior Games.
  • AW2 Soldier SPC Brendan Maracco featured in 1010 WINS, the Staten Island Advance, and the New York Daily News, will receive a specially adapted home from his community.
  • AW2 Veteran Ryan Newell, featured in Army Times, will receive a specially adapted house from Homes for Our Troops.
  • AW2 Soldier SFC Josh Olson, featured in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, provided expert instruction to wounded warriors to help them prepare for the Warrior Games.
  • AW2 Soldier SPC Ryan Price and his spouse Terry, featured in San Diego News, received a wedding to remember from his community.
  • AW2 Veteran Edwin Salau, featured in the Jacksonville Daily News, participated in a weekend in New York City for intensive training and mentorship on making a fresh career start in the civilian world.
  • AW2 Veteran Craig C. Smith, featured in Defense News, is training for next month’s inaugural Warrior Games.
  • AW2 Soldier SPC Branden Stackenwalt, featured in the Rapid City Journal, will receive a specially adapted home as part of Operation Opening Doors.
  • AW2 Soldier SGT Matt Williams was featured in Medical Device Daily in an article about controversial treatment for TBI and PTSD.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations.

Blogging about Army Warrior Care Month

Filed under WTC by on November 20, 2009 at 11:06 am {no comments}

The Army has designated November as Warrior Care Month to inform wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families about the transition assistance programs available to them in the U.S. Army. Throughout the month, the Warrior Transition Command has been conducting a variety of local activities through AW2 and the Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) to encourage wounded warriors to take advantage of opportunities that promote successful transition back to duty or into civilian life.

On the American Forces Press Service’s (AFPS) Family Matters Blog, Elaine Wilson offered her perspective on the resiliency of Army wounded warriors:

The Army is using this opportunity to inform wounded, ill and injured soldiers and their families about transition assistance programs. The effort is being led by the Army’s Warrior Transition Command.

I’ve met countless wounded warriors and never cease to be in awe of their strength and resilience. I’m thrilled to see that the Army is going the extra mile to ease the transition process, whether it’s back to service or to the civilian work force, for these soldiers and their families.

Elaine blogged about one such Soldier that she met during a recent visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During her visit, she had the pleasure of meeting AW2 Soldier SGT Robert Canine and his wife, Jennifer. SGT Canine lost his legs when an explosively formed projectile tore through his Humvee during his third deployment in Iraq. Elaine focuses her entry on the how the strength of SGT Canine’s marriage has aided in his rehabilitation:

While tough, the couple said they can weather any storm as long as they do it together.

The couple said it’s vital to stay positive and supportive of each other.

“Listen to what they have to say,” Jennifer said, referring to the wounded warrior. “You’re going to have your frustrated moments, but hopefully you’ll have your family there to take small breaks. They’re going to have their ups and downs. Just stay positive.”

“They’ll be some rough patches, but you have to keep moving forward,” Robert added. “If you think about woe is me, it will just take longer to recover. Take it day by day.”

To read the rest of this wonderful entry, please click here to visit the Family Matters Blog. Elaine plans to continue to follow SGT Canine and his wife with periodic updates on how they are doing, so be sure to check back often.

In addition to the blog entries from Elaine Wilson and the AFPS Family Matters Blog, the Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, GA also featured an article about Army Warrior Care Month. In the article, the Ledger-Enquirer showcases the Warrior Care Month activities at Fort Benning:

“It’s specifically designed to build teamwork amongst soldiers that are not in a collective unit environment,” said Lt. Col. Sean Mulcahey, commander of the Warrior Transition Battalion.

The Commander’s Cup consists of 15 events including a seated basketball game, water polo and volleyball matches, a Nintendo Wii video game tournament and a cooking competition.

Prior to digging in to a hearty meal of turkey and all the trimmings, WTB soldiers went head to head Wednesday morning in an Iron Chef-like cook off. Maj. William Kepley’s team, B Company, 5th Platoon, beat out the other platoons in the battalion in the “taste” category for whipping up a stir fry.

“For the folks that are here for an extended period of time for whatever’s wrong with them it’s good,” Kepley said of events like the Commander’s Cup and Wednesday’s turkey lunch. “It gets your mind off of the hospital and doctors all daylong every day.”

To learn more about the Army’s Warrior Care Month, click here to visit the special page set up by the Warrior Transition Command.

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AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families can submit a blog for AW2 by emailing WarriorCareCommunications [at] conus.army.mil.