Happy Holidays

Filed under COL Gadson, Staff Stories by on December 23, 2010 at 12:00 pm {no comments}

By COL Greg Gadson, AW2 Director

COL Greg Gadson believes that the holiday season is a time for wounded warriors to celebrate their personal victories and the people who support them.

The holiday season is a time to celebrate with our Families and friends, to give thanks for the blessings in our lives, and to reflect on the challenges and milestones of the previous year.

Personally, I love the holiday season—people are in a good mood, the music is upbeat, and I get to spend time with my Family. And this year, the holidays offer an opportunity to think about all of the incredible people I’ve met in my first several months as AW2 Director. Each of the AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, Families, and Advocates I’ve gotten to know this year has touched my life, and I’m honored to be the Director of this program. As a wounded warrior myself, I’m familiar with the challenges you all face, but I never cease to be surprised by your resilient spirit and determination to move forward with active, fulfilling lives.

2010 was another big year for AW2, and we reached several significant milestones in improving the quality of care for AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families:

  • Congress passed legislation authorizing a stipend for non-dependent caregivers. This was the result of an AW2 Symposium issue that highlighted the financial challenges facing nondependent caregivers.
  • AW2 Soldiers still on Active Duty participated in the first Warrior Games in May, demonstrating their abilities and winning medals for the Army.
  • 190 organizations participated in the AW2 Community Support Network , demonstrating their support for AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families in their hometowns.

All of this in addition to the more than 160 AW2 Advocates throughout the country who provide ongoing, personalized support every single day, helping individual Soldiers and Veterans prepare for their boards, make appointments, evaluate their career options, access resources, and so many other things.

As each of you enjoy the holidays with Family and friends, whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another holiday, I encourage you to also celebrate your personal victories and the people who support you. Through it all, you demonstrate the true strength of the Army, and what it means to be “Army Strong.” Happy holidays.

Going the Extra Mile

Filed under COL Gadson, WTC by on December 10, 2010 at 5:05 pm {3 comments}

By Patty Sands, WTC Stratcom

COL Darryl Williams, WTC Commander, accepts one of the donated Army Ten Miler trophies from the irun4god running team coach Sue Bozgoz.

One never knows when a simple introduction will turn into something great.

The first time I saw Sue Bozgoz, coach of the irun4god running team, she was giving a motivational speech at the D.C. Armory in Washington. I remember thinking that her speech was riveting and her passion for helping others was evident. Later that day, I saw her again as she slowly made her way through the exhibits at the Army Ten Miler. When she saw the Army Warrior Transition Command’s (WTC) display, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed, “Hooah!”

Later that day, I was pleasantly surprised to find that all of the irun4god runners had ironed Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) patches on their jerseys for the Army Ten Miler race. After Sue Bozgoz had shared information about WTC and AW2 with her team, the runners decided to dedicate their race to Army wounded warriors. With iron-on AW2 patches on their uniforms, the team competed against 30,000 runners and won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place wins in several categories. Their wins also included 1st place in the overall open male team and 1st place in the overall open female team categories.

Today, the irun4god team, now a member of the AW2 Community Support Network, presented their trophies from the Army Ten Miler to COL Gadson, AW2 Director, and COL Darryl Williams, WTC Commander, to honor Army wounded warriors. Gratefully accepting the trophies on behalf of all wounded, ill, and wounded Soldiers, COL Williams spoke about the importance of physical fitness in the lives of wounded warriors. He commended the runners for their successes and thanked them for their support and assistance of wounded warriors. The trophies are planned to be displayed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.   

One of the winning runners, Ronald Kijrui was asked why he donated his trophy to honor Army wounded warriors. In response, the quiet athlete humbly said, “The warriors are the reason I can run and be free. They walk into danger everyday for us. The least I can do is run for them and run with them.”

Sue and her team have offered to train AW2 Soldiers and Veterans for next year’s Army Ten Miler.  I fully anticipate there will be a record number of race participants from the AW2 community and they will be ready in body, mind, and spirit. That is indeed–going the extra mile.

Warrior Care Month–It’s All About Families

Filed under COL Gadson by on November 22, 2010 at 12:26 pm {no comments}

By COL Greg Gadson, AW2 Director

November is an important month for the military. On Veterans Day, we honored all who have defended our country and fought for our freedom. On Thanksgiving, we will express gratitude for the blessings in our lives. And throughout the month, we honor the servicemembers who have become wounded, ill, or injured and their Families as part of Warrior Care Month.

Warrior Care Month is a special time to acknowledge wounded warriors, their Families, and caregivers. This year’s theme, “Army Strong—Family Strong: caring for wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers by supporting their Families and caregivers” reminds us that Families provide a source of stability and strength for every wounded Soldier.

Just like all Army Families, the Families of wounded Soldiers involve a number of different people. It’s every combination of parents, spouses, children, aunts and uncles, grandparents, friends, and neighbors who do the heavy lifting and support the wounded Soldier. During Warrior Care Month, we honor those who travel to the Soldier’s bedside just as much as we honor those who stay home and keep the Family running – paying the bills, making sure the children get to school. And for most AW2 Families, it’s a long journey that involves surgery after surgery, avoiding the Soldier’s triggers, and learning how to care for the injuries for months, years, after the Soldier leaves the hospital. Loving a wounded Soldier is a whole new way of life.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many AW2 Families and caregivers during my own recovery and now as AW2 Director. I’m always struck by their tenacity and sincerity. To each one of you, I encourage you to keep fighting for your AW2 Soldier, keep holding his/her hand, and keep believing that your Family will come out of these challenges stronger than you ever imagined.

Continuation on Active Duty–Doing What the Army Needs Me to Do

Filed under Career/Education, COL Gadson, Soldier Story by on September 16, 2010 at 2:57 pm {3 comments}

By COL Greg Gadson, AW2 Director

When I was injured, I had my heart set on staying in the Army, even though I knew I would be found unfit.  I’m a Soldier—I’ve been a Soldier for 22 years, and my desire to serve didn’t disappear when an IED exploded under me, costing me my legs.  I knew I wouldn’t be a field artillery officer out on the gun line, but I could do something else.  I wasn’t on a gun line when I got injured; I was doing what the Army needed me to do.  And that’s what I’m doing now, as a COAD Soldier leading AW2—it’s what the Army needs me to do. 

For Soldiers who will be found unfit for duty by a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), Continuation on Active Duty (COAD)/Continuation on Active Reserve (COAR) is a great opportunity to continue our service.  Currently, any Soldier found unfit will not be denied the opportunity to apply for COAD/COAR, and that is a great development for today’s Army.

As I started the COAD process, I had a lot of questions.  Would I be “worthy” to stay in? Would I have something to contribute?  I didn’t want to just hang around and draw a paycheck; I wanted to continue to do something worthwhile. 

Other AW2 Soldiers considering COAD/COAR probably have similar questions.  Some of you came into the Army to do a certain job, fly planes or helicopters or something equally exciting.  But that doesn’t mean that’s all the Army has to offer you.  As you make this decision, I encourage you to:

  1. Keep an open mind as you consider different MOS’s—you might be surprised about the opportunities out there for you, and you have more skills than you realize. 
  2. Speak up for yourself.  Tell the Army what you want to do–and make the Army tell you “no.”  The Army wants to accommodate you and help you increase your skills and pursue opportunities.
  3. Use the resources available to you.  For example, my AW2 Advocate and PEBLO (Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer) were fantastic—they kept me up to date on my requirements, appointments, and documentation. 
  4. Talk to your mentors throughout the Army.  You’ll need their recommendations as you build your case, but you’ll also appreciate their encouragement and guidance as you make these tough decisions and continue your Army career.

To the wounded Soldiers in the Guard and Reserve—my message is exactly the same.  There are slight differences in the process, but you have the same opportunity to continue serving your country.  And I hope you give it serious consideration.

It’s important for both COAD/COAR Soldiers and their leaders to understand that COAD/COAR Soldiers are still Soldiers, just like every other person in the Army.  COAD/COAR Soldiers maintain the Army values and will still have all the Army requirements, within the limits of their physical profiles. 

The Army is an institution of support for you and your Family.  For me, COAD was the right choice, and I’m proud to serve in an Army that supports the people who make it strong.

Editor’s Note: Do you have a story about your personal COAD/COAR experience or advice for Soldiers considering the COAD/COAR process?  Leave a comment below.

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