Director’s Message—AW2 Moves Forward

Filed under Staff Story by on July 12, 2010 at 10:46 am {no comments}
COL Jim Rice speaking at the 2010 AW2 Symposium.

COL Jim Rice speaking at the 2010 AW2 Symposium.

By COL Jim Rice, AW2 Director

It’s hard to believe that it is already time for me to leave AW2; I don’t think three years have ever passed so quickly for me. There have been plenty of changes both in the program and those who help make it run, but as I have said from day one, if we keep our focus on the Soldiers and Families everything else will work out right.

As I look back, the positive spirit I have seen—in the AW2 population, in the headquarters staff, and most importantly the Advocates in the field—is what stands out and what I’ll take with me. Although I have seen many staff come and go, each valued team member was replaced with an equally energetic and dedicated professional who seemed to meet every need no matter how tough the task. It is great to know that so many people are lining up to support our wounded warriors.

AW2 has been effective because of the dedication of the Soldiers, DA civilians, and contractors who consistently pull in the same direction to improve the lives of our wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and Families. I can’t stress enough how difficult that growth has been—from about 2,100 to over 7,200 Soldiers and Veterans—a number I don’t think even the most conservative of us would have imagined when the program kicked off more than six years ago. I appreciate everyone’s teamwork during this dramatic growth spurt, to make this program, and ultimately our wounded warriors, successful.

With this growth there is still much left to do—some of it particularly heavy lifting. That is why the Army selected LTC (P) Greg Gadson to carry this program forward. He is an inspiring Soldier and leader, who has lived the warrior ethos and knows AW2 and the Wounded Warrior Lifecycle as few of us ever will. We continue to be an Army at war, with nearly nine years of boots on the ground in Afghanistan and casualty numbers still increasing.

I will always remember my time with AW2 and its outstanding Soldiers, Veterans, and Families who despite their own challenges continuously seek improvement for those who are certain to follow. As the program moves forward, I have no doubt AW2 will continue to provide the required expertise, passion, and excellence—For As Long As It Takes!

The Flag

Filed under 2010 Symposium, Holiday by on July 2, 2010 at 3:52 pm {no comments}

By COL Jim Rice, AW2 Director

COL Rice stands for the pledge of allegiance during an AW2 Symposium event.


As I was out running this week, I noticed the display of more and more flags in the neighborhood. Large ones on front porches. Small ones even lined the
borders of a few yards. I love seeing the proud display of the American Flag.

Perhaps it was spending a week with wounded warrior’s kids last week at the AW2 Symposium, but seeing all the flags out in preparation for July 4th made me think about saying the pledge of allegiance each day in school. “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Hand on heart, eyes on flag, all in unison.

Our flag makes a powerful statement. Where ever it is, there is freedom—or the fight for it.

Currently, each Soldier wears a flag patch on their uniform—which I often get asked about because it looks as though it’s backwards. But rather, it’s to appear that the flag is flying in the breeze as the Soldier moves forward. This dates back to when both mounted cavalry and infantry units would designate a standard bearer, who carried the flag into battle. The Soldier’s forward momentum caused the flag to stream back. For me, this patch represents the Army’s “forward lean” in fighting and protecting the freedoms represented by our flag. It’s a patch I am proud to wear.

During the holiday weekend, I’m sure even more flags will be on display and raised proudly in parades. I encourage everyone to take a moment to really stop and think about all that the United States flag represents, and to say a prayer for those who defend it.

The Votes Are In, and It’s Time For Action

Filed under 2010 Symposium, Soldier and Family Story by on June 29, 2010 at 1:59 pm {4 comments}

By COL Jim Rice, AW2 Director

At each of the last six AW2 Symposiums, we’ve given the delegates a mission: to be the voice of the thousands of wounded warriors, their Families, and their caregivers. Like delegates in years past, 2010 Symposium delegates accepted the mission and got the job done.

On Friday morning, each of the five delegate focus groups briefed senior officials from Army, Veterans Affairs (VA), and other agencies on their top issues. AW2 Veteran John Wright, spokesman for the careers focus group, got the session off to a great start when he plopped Veteran Scott Stephenson’s prosthetic on the podium and told the audience that his group “had a leg up on the rest of the delegation.”

After the briefing, the delegates voted to prioritize the top issues facing Army wounded warriors, their Families, and their caregivers. This year, the delegates selected the following things to be addressed:

  1. Medically retired service member’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 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
At the 2010 AW2 Symposium, delegates in the medical focus group reflect on their discussions as they prioritize their top issues for the brief-out to senior Army leadership.

At the 2010 AW2 Symposium, delegates in the medical focus group reflect on their discussions as they prioritize their top issues for the brief-out to senior Army leadership.

Senior Army, MEDCOM, and VA leaders listened firsthand to the delegates talk about these issues and committed to work hard to resolve them.

Now that the votes are in, my team and I will get to work. We’ll coordinate with other programs within the Army, throughout DOD, and other federal agencies, especially those within VA. In addition to their commitment, I promise that AW2 will do all it can to continue to provide personalized support for as long as it takes. It’s our honor and privilege.

This week at the AW2 Symposium, there was a lot of hard work by our delegates—65 severely wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families. They opened up about experiences they don’t typically share, they tackled hard issues facing wounded warriors, and came together to prioritize areas for change to improve things for those who come next—all while dealing with their own ongoing medical challenges such as burns, amputations, TBI, and PTSD. I was proud of how they continued to serve the Army. Their efforts will impact generations to come.

I thought AW2 spouse Loree Pone put it well, she said, “Delegates had a lot of compassion for other peoples’ issues—we’re here to make things better for the wounded Soldiers that follow. I know that some of these issues will take time to resolve, but I know that the Army will work to fix them as quickly as possible.”

I appreciate all the 2010 Symposium delegates, as well as delegates from all previous AW2 Symposiums, for taking the time to come and tell the Army how we can continue to improve the care we provide to severely wounded warriors and their Families. We heard your concerns, and now it’s time to take action.

Army Gathers Recommendations for Improvements

Filed under 2010 Symposium, Behavioral Health, Symposium by on June 20, 2010 at 7:58 pm {no comments}
Veteran Carlos Labarca-Cruz and his Family

Veteran Carlos Labarca-Cruz and his Family traveled from Puerto Rico to attend the 2010 AW2 Symposium in San Antonio, Texas.

By COL Jim Rice, AW2 Director

For the sixth year in a row, AW2 is bringing in more than 65 delegates—severely wounded, injured and ill Soldiers, Veterans and their spouse/caregiver—to identify the top issues facing this population and recommend improvements. While delegates are hard at work, their children will participate in Operation Purple®, an urban adventure camp hosted by the National Military Family Association.

I look forward to this event every year. Not only does it keep AW2 focused on what is important to the Army’s wounded warriors, but it unites Soldiers and Veterans together—as well as their Families. This afternoon I saw a Soldier, two Veterans, two wives and a mom all talking in a group about their challenges and their accomplishments. There were tears but also much laughter in describing the adventure that comes with being a wounded warrior.

I look around and see amputees showing off new prosthetics. I overhear wives talking with other wives about the organizations where they got local help. I hear Veterans talking about life with PTSD—comparing symptoms. I see anxiety on a parent’s face when they talk about the stress of the injury on their kids, as well as relief when they talk to an organization in our Community Support Network. I see folks connecting with their greater Army Family—learning they are not alone. It’s a powerful week for all involved.

I think delegate spouse Regina Hill summed it up best when she told me, “Participating in the AW2 Symposium is very important for us for many reasons. It helps us heal by sharing our story, as well as giving us the sense of helping make this road better for other Families facing similar situations. Allen and I both feel that if we don’t share our own story, we can’t expect for things to get fixed that we have struggled with throughout this journey. We hope that by sharing our personal struggles and accomplishments, we will shed light on some things that need fixed and share the blessings we have received that others may not know about.”

Army Celebrates 235th Birthday

Filed under Holiday by on June 14, 2010 at 10:00 am {no comments}

By COL Jim Rice, AW2 Director

The Army has a long history of providing the best possible care for its wounded, ill, and injured. Shortly after the Army was founded on June 14, 1775, it created a formal medical department to both treat those wounded or injured and to prevent the spread of disease. During the Revolutionary War, thousands of Soldiers were wounded in battle but thousands more became ill with small pox, dysentery, and other diseases at camp and in the field. Many Soldiers suffered during the brutal winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge. Despite often desperate conditions, a lack of trained medical personnel, and often grossly inadequate supplies, General George Washington insisted on the best care for the men fighting for freedom.

During the War of 1812, General Andrew Jackson was ordered to disband his unit before the first attempted attack on New Orleans, with no provisions or pay for his Soldiers. Many were severely wounded, ill, and injured, and General Jackson wanted better for his troops. Jackson’s doctors had limited resources compared to the medics and hospitals today, but he insisted that every Soldier under his command receive the best care possible. He even ordered that officers give up their horses for those too wounded to walk. According to history, a doctor demanded the General’s own horse for an injured Soldier, and Jackson dismounted and walked for days to reach his home in Tennessee.

George Washington said, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive Veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation.”

Today, the Army remains committed to providing the best care for its wounded, ill, and injured – in the field, during training, and at home station. AW2 recognizes that warrior care goes far beyond medical treatment. Warrior care includes assisting AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families with everything it takes to fully transition – from coordinating benefits to finding employment. We must ensure that this generation of Soldiers receives the same high level of support that has been the hallmark of Army Strong for 235 years.

Page 1 of 512345»
RSS feed

Write a blog for AW2

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