Archive | Soldier Story | Warrior Transition Command

Thoughts on a Leader

Filed under Soldier Story by jvargas on February 1, 2010 at 2:48 pm {no comments}

By Lee McMahon, WTC Stratcom

The Army is built on strong leaders. They are the individuals whose impact stays with you for years to come. I had a chance to learn about one such leader from someone just starting his path in the Army. On February 1, CPT Scott Smiley takes command of the West Point Warrior Transition Unit. I had a chance to talk with a first year cadet, Will Webb, at West Point who has known CPT Smiley for nearly 10 years about what kind of leader he is. CPT Smiley is not only becoming a leader of Warriors in Transition, he is a wounded Soldier himself. CPT Smiley was severely injured in a suicide bomb attack in Iraq on April 6, 2005. As a result he lost his sight. This has not stopped him from leading Soldiers and continuing to serve in the Army.

What was your first impression of CPT Smiley?

The first time I met CPT Smiley was Spring of 2000. He and my brother were classmates and he visited our house for the weekend. I was immediately impressed with his humble and personable servant attitude and rock-solid faith. He immediately struck me as the kind of person that genuinely cares about the people he comes in contact with, and someone who I could look up to and emulate.

Has he impacted your experience at West Point with the Army? If so, how?

CPT Smiley has greatly impacted my West Point experience in numerous ways. As an Army Officer and West Point graduate, he has mentored me and supported me through the toughest challenges here at the Academy. As my sponsor, he and his wife, Tiffany, have graciously provided their home as a place of relaxation and refuge from the challenges and demands of the week. And as my bible study leader, he has greatly impacted myself and the others in our group spiritually, and motivated us to choose to walk on the path less traveled, to be godly men of character. There is no doubt that without the influence of CPT Smiley in my life, my overall experience at West Point this year could not have been the same.

What do you think about CPT Smiley taking command of the West Point Warrior Transition Unit?

While I am sad to see CPT Smiley leave his teaching position, I am excited to see him take command of the Warrior Transition Unit. I know that he is thankful for this opportunity, and I am confident that he will continue to excel and have a profound impact on the soldiers that he will soon be commanding.

What are the characteristics of CPT Smiley’s leadership?

CPT Smiley is a selfless, dynamic, and highly successful leader who always puts others first and strives to be a positive influence on them. He is the kind of leader who looks for ways to challenge himself and then eagerly conquers those challenges. As a highly capable and experienced leader, CPT Smiley can be trusted to accomplish any task set before him.

Note: To read an interview with CPT Smiley and his wife Tiffany, please visit the WTC Blog.

Q&A With AW2 Veteran Tim Gillem on Becoming an Entrepreneur

Filed under Career/Education, Soldier Story by jvargas on January 28, 2010 at 3:31 pm {no comments}

The following is an interview with AW2 Veteran Tim Gillem who has started his own security firm in Greenville, S.C. after recovering from wounds suffered as a result of combat in Iraq. Tim graciously agreed to this interview in the hopes that it would inspire AW2 Soldiers and Veterans to start their own businesses.

AW2 Veteran Tim Gillem pictured while on active duty in Samarra, Iraq at FOB Brassfield-Mora.

What does it mean to you to be an AW2 Veteran?

It means that I have constant support. I’ve been out of the Army since November 29th and my AW2 Advocate at Ft. Jackson calls me at least once every two weeks to see how I’m doing and what’s going on. She knows me and she alerts me to new programs that come up and asks for my input. That’s the most important part: knowing that I have a support system if I need it.

When did you decide that you wanted to start your own business?

Actually, my co-founder Tony and I discussed it during our 2006-2007 deployment to Iraq. We talked about it the entire time we were deployed and before we got wounded. We really wanted to do something together when we retired. As fate had it, the night I got wounded Tony also got wounded when he came out to rescue me. I got hit by an IED and while Tony was coming out to get me he got hit by an IED. It was a very well coordinated attack; it took out our platoon, and it took out the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) along with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).

Throughout our deployment we had been discussing different business plans and coming up with ideas for what we wanted to do. Since both of us served in the infantry we really wanted to continue in similar line of work, but we also wanted to do it for civilians and executives. That end up being what our company is all about — executive protection.

When I say that we protect executives I mean that we protect judges, celebrities, politicians, or anyone that feels that there is some threat level, whether it’s a low threat level or a high threat level. Our aim is to protect those kinds of individuals so they can go about their business and everyday lives.

Did your AW2 Advocate provide you with any support or guidance to start your own business?

Definitely. Wanda, my AW2 Advocate, has been a great resource to me. She was actually the one that pointed me to the Web sites for the Small Business Administration in South Carolina. She also made sure I was aware of small business briefings and she got me into an ACAP class that helped me learn a lot about running my own business. The class also featured a number of speakers from Veterans and others that had started their own businesses. It was very informative and helped me understand what I was getting myself into. The class also had a group come from Benedict College in Columbia and that helped me set up a business plan and assisted with financing. Wanda was very instrumental in helping us, and Tony and I are very thankful for her help and support.

(more…)

AW2 Veteran Leads Tactical Team to Victory

Filed under Soldier Story by jvargas on January 21, 2010 at 5:13 pm {2 comments}

AW2 Veteran Mark Little (front left) secures a quadrant.

By Nathan Nickels, guest blogger from Controlled F.O.R.C.E.

When the Controlled F.O.R.C.E. Team first crossed paths with then enlisted Soldier Mark Little way back in 2004 at the 5th Annual United States National Standards of Training Association (U.S.N.S.T.A.) National Training Conference, he demonstrated a high aptitude for the tactical training that was being conducted. During his initial instructor development training in the Mechanical Advantage Control Holds™ (M.A.C.H.) based system of Close Range Subject Control, Mark showed that he was a quick learner, effective instructor, and determined warrior. These things haven’t changed.

One thing that has changed since then, is that Mark, a former member of the U.S. Army, now operates without real legs. When the Controlled F.O.R.C.E. Team met Mark for the second time, he was back from deployment to Iraq where he sustained major injuries from his third IED attack. As a result of this attack, Mark lost both of his legs.

In July and December of 2008, Mark participated in Controlled F.O.R.C.E. courses. The course instructors Tony Grano and Don Roberts, also developers and directors of Controlled F.O.R.C.E., were surprised to see that Mark retained his agility and spryness despite the fact that he was using prosthetic limbs. At first, because he likes to wear pants not shorts, they didn’t even notice.

Despite prosthetic legs, Mark performs Body Movement Drills, “Mark understands that our training is all about movement,” recalls Grano, “and he showed us that he is still effective at moving his body with prosthetic legs.” At the end of the course, Mark expressed concern to Tony and Don that they might not allow him to continue to the more advanced levels of the system. “The higher levels of Controlled F.O.R.C.E. are designed to instill a dominating, persevering attitude to survive in very close quarters battle,” adds Roberts, “so I don’t see how Mark couldn’t participate in the training.” A few months later, Mark was in the mix of Combative Counter Measures training at the 9th Annual U.S.N.S.T.A. National Training Conference.

In order to commemorate its 10th Annual Tactical Training Conference held at Bally’s Las Vegas on December 14-18, 2009, the U.S.N.S.T.A. utilized the Las Vegas Metro Police Department Tactical Training Facility as part of its 2009 Team Tactics Competition. This competition gave operators from across the military and law enforcement spectrum a chance to test their tactical team movement skills against each other.

Ten teams consisting of four operators each negotiated the training complex with the objective being to neutralize an ongoing hostage situation with armed suspects. Teams were judged on how well they communicated, moved as a team, demonstrated weapon discipline, and performed overall team tactics. Total time was recorded to be used to determine the winner in the event of a tie. Total time, however, was not a factor because there was a clear winner based on the evaluation categories.

Mark served as team leader for a four man squad that included active duty MP Soldiers CPT Matthew Coyne and SSG Ken Grilliot. The precision tactics that they displayed, their purposeful and dynamic movements, and their attention to communication, muzzle control and rear cover, were recognized as the best in a competition of some very good tactical operators.

Mark and his team were named the winners of the competition and acknowledged for their superior performance. “When Mark stood with his team in front of their peers to accept their awards,” says Grano, “he stood as the embodiment of what every member of the Controlled F.O.R.C.E. team strives to be.” A true warrior.

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AW2 Weekly Digest 1/11-1/15

Filed under Soldier and Family Story, Soldier Story by jvargas on January 19, 2010 at 6:06 pm {one comment}

AW2 Soldier CPT Sam Brown and his wife are featured in an Army News article about his life altering injury turning into a unique war love story.
AW2 Soldier SFC Joshua Ferguson and AW2 Veteran Ramon Padilla, featured in Mount Vernon Gazette, worked on their golf game at Mount Vernon’s practice range.
AW2 Soldier CPT Ray O’Donnell, featured in the Honolulu Advertiser, took command of about 290 Soldiers that make up Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) which provides support for the Stryker Brigade’s battalions.
AW2 Veteran Ed Pulido, featured in DoD News, gave his insight on suicide prevention at the 2010 Defense Department/Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention Conference.
AW2 Veteran Mike Sanchez was featured in a Fayetteville Observer article about amputees participating in clinical trials as a way to help fellow Soldiers.

AW2 Delegates Reflect on AFAP Worldwide Conference

Filed under 2009 Symposium, Soldier Story by jvargas on January 15, 2010 at 10:22 am {no comments}

AW2 Delegate David Proctor and LTC Deb Cisney represent AW2 at the 2010 AFAP Worldwide Conference.

By Sarah Greer, WTC Stratcom

This week, ten AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Family members are attending the Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) Worldwide Conference in Arlington, Virginia. These ten delegates also attended the 2009 AW2 Symposium, and are spending the week speaking on issues affecting wounded warriors.

“AFAP is a continuation of what we did at Symposium on a larger scale,” said AW2 Veteran Jared Hatch. ” After Symposium, it’s another once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference for other Soldiers, Veterans, and Families.”

AW2 Delegate David Proctor is excited to be the voice of AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families. “This makes me feel good, like I’m a part of history,” he said. “The issues we’re working on will affect Soldiers that came before and after me, and I’ve helped make a difference for them.”

The delegates are grateful that Army leadership sees AFAP issues as a priority. On Tuesday, senior leaders gathered for the General Officers Steering Committee to hear updates on the progress of previous AFAP issues, including issues raised at previous AW2 Symposiums.

“AFAP provides a real follow-through for the important issues we examined at the AW2 Symposium,” said AW2 Soldier DeKeither Stamps.

Attending AFAP is also a healing experience for AW2 Veteran Jared Hatch. “He wanted to push himself to the next level,” said his spouse Jennifer Hatch, who also serves as an AW2 Advocate. ” Jared knew he’d have to get on a plane and fly, which is a challenge for him, and he really wanted to see how far he could go.”

Tomorrow, delegates will vote on the top issues facing the Army community, and several AW2 issues are expected to be brought forward as final contenders.

AW2 Weekly Digest 1/4-1/8

Filed under Advocate Story, Soldier Story by jvargas on January 11, 2010 at 10:29 am {no comments}

AW2 Soldiers CPT Sam Brown, SFC Joshua Olson, and SFC Mike Schlitz and AW2 Veteran retired SGT Bill Congleton, featured in Defense News, returned to Iraq as part of the third installment of Operation Proper Exit to help wounded warriors heal from traumatic combat injuries.
BG Gary Cheek, commander of the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command, featured in Defense News, announced a new sports initiative for wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and Veterans—the Warrior Games.
AW2 Soldier SSG Casey Church, featured in The Telegraph, is determined to recover and leave Walter Reed as the person he was before.
AW2 Soldier SSG Luis Elias, featured in The Signal, has been outfitted with an i-LIMB, a robotic prosthetic hand which can perform many of the same functions as his natural hand.
AW2 Soldier LTC Greg Gadson was featured in the January issue of National Geographic in an article about bionics and testing powered limbs meant to restore mobility.
AW2 Veterans Ireshekia Henry and Tara Hutchinson were featured on NBC’s “Today Show” in a segment on the Challenge Aspen Military Opportunities Winter Women’s Mountain Retreat.
AW2 Veteran Julio Quiles, featured in Idaho Mountain Express, attended the Higher Ground watersports camp at Pettit Lake last summer and was invited to the Sun Valley Club event to talk about his experience.
AW2 Advocate Ann Yingling was featured in the Fayette Woman cover story about her experiences as an Army spouse preparing her for her career as an AW2 Advocate.

An Interview with AW2′s new Sergeant Major: SGM Robert Gallagher

Filed under Soldier Story, Staff Stories by jvargas on January 6, 2010 at 12:33 pm {15 comments}

SGM Robert Gallagher

SGM Robert Gallagher recently joined U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) as the new Sergeant Major. SGM Gallagher is a highly decorated Soldier who has spent more than 28 years serving our country in operations all over the world. As a Soldier who has suffered from combat wounds, including a TBI, PTSD, and hearing loss, SGM Gallagher has firsthand experience with the challenges facing AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families.

I recently had the honor to sit down with SGM Gallagher and talk with him on his experiences and what he hopes to bring to AW2 and our country’s most severely wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families.

What was your last assignment prior to coming to AW2?

Prior to coming to AW2, I was the CSM for the Operations Group at the Joint Readiness Training Center, and prior to that I was the 1st Brigade Combat Team CSM for the 3rd Infantry Division.

Have you had any overseas assignments? What was the most memorable?

There are so many that I could mention. I conducted a parachute assault into Panama as a squad leader in Operation Just Cause. I also served as a platoon Sergeant during Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu. More recently, I served in the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division that conducted the assault into Baghdad as the battalion SGM, and I later served in North Central Iraq as a CSM.

On each one of them there was something memorable, but the combat parachute assault from 500 feet into Panama is something you never forget — especially while under fire. The best day and the worst day of my life was when I served in Mogadishu, Somalia, on October 3, 1993, as a part of Task Force Ranger.

It was the worst day, because we lost 18 Soldiers and 84 others, including myself, were wounded.

It was the best day of my life because it showed the incredible performance of our warriors in long-protracted battle under extraordinary circumstances in an urban environment. Throughout it all, the warriors that fought that day performed in a manner that was consistent with the values of our nation, and I was very proud of that.

The assault into Baghdad was also memorable for the intensity of the combat that we faced.

Your thoughts on leadership were recently featured by the Army as a part of “The Year of the NCO.” What are three words or phrases that sum up your leadership style?

Down to eath. Grounded in reality. Respect for people.

Although I didn’t know it at the time, looking back I think I’ve learned a lot about leadership and overcoming adversity from my dad. My mom passed away when I was very young, and my dad basically raised three boys all by himself while working two blue collar jobs. My brothers and I all turned out very well, and I really credit my dad for that. One of my brothers also joined the military, and my other brother is a Vice-President at Merrill Lynch.

What does advocating for our country’s most severely wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families mean to you?

It means putting forth the same focus and intensity as a trigger puller into AW2′s extremely important mission. I chose to come to this position because it’s important that we keep the Army’s promise to Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families to take care of them to the best of our ability for as long as it takes.

I was wounded during the Battle of Mogadishu and some of the remarkable things that aren’t shown in the movie Black Hawk Down are all the unseen planners and medical personnel that enabled Soldiers from that day to survive with some of the most traumatic wounds imaginable.

Our leaders had a plan for casualties, whether it was 1, 10, or 100 Soldiers. After I got wounded, I was put in surgery that night, and the very next day at 0700, the Army already had me on a C-141 to Germany with other wounded Soldiers for more intensive care and treatment.

There is no other country in the world that can do that. Providing excellent medical care for our Soldiers is what builds confidence in our brave men and woman to allow them to do the extraordinary things that they do.

What do you want AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families to know about you?

I’m available 24/7 to you and AW2 wants to get your feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. The only way that I can correctly inform Army leadership about what we have done well and where we still can improve is if we get honest feedback from our Soldiers, Veterans, and Families.

I’d also add that when I was recovering from my wounds as a result of combat in Mogadishu, the Army didn’t have a program like the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program to advocate for Soldiers and their Families. One of the most difficult challenges that I had was finding a purposeful job in the Army during my recovery. GEN Wayne A. Downing happened to take a personal interest in me, and he found me a job at USSOCOM at MacDill Air Force Base that allowed me to receive the care I needed and have a purpose.

I think my experience shows that the Army has really learned that while we provide outstanding medical care, there was more the Army could do and that’s why they stood up a program like AW2. Wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers need medical treatment to recover from their injuries, and they need a purpose that gives them confidence to transition back to the military or into civilian status.

After my injury in 1993, I was lucky that GEN Downing and many other Army leaders went the extra mile for me, but it shouldn’t be about luck. As the SGM of AW2, I intend to take a personal interest in all of our Soldiers to ensure they have a purpose in their lives so they have the confidence to transition back to the Army or to productive lives as a civilian.

Which current or former military leaders have inspired you as a Soldier?

First and foremost, GEN Wayne A. Downing was probably one of the most influential military leaders in my career. I probably learned more from that man about being a leader and how to treat people than anyone else. I also learned a lot from BG Anthony Thomas III, retired GEN Peter J. Schoomaker, retired CSM Rich Schucle, retired CSM John Harbors, and COL Kevin Owens. All of them grounded their leadership in reality and treating people with dignity and respect.

What do you enjoy doing most with your spare time?

It comes and goes with the seasons, but I generally really enjoy almost any kind of extreme sport or recreation. I’d say that skydiving is something that I really enjoy doing, but I also enjoy sitting and reading a book or just going outside and cutting my grass.

What is your favorite book?

I’ve read just about every book by Stephen Ambrose. GEN Downing actually introduced me to the author’s books, and I got to have dinner with Mr. Ambrose once. I really like his books because they are engaging to read while based in reality and fact.

What is your favorite movie?

The Boondock Saints. I haven’t had a chance to see the sequel yet, but I will definitely catch it on DVD.

What are you looking forward to doing now that you live in DC-metro area?

I’m really looking forward to being able to spend more time with my extended and immediate Family. I grew up in New Jersey, and in my 28 years in the Army, the furthest north that I have been stationed has been Columbus, GA. So I’m really going to enjoy being able to easily go up the coast to spend time with my Family.

Passing the Torch

Filed under Advocate Story, Soldier Story by jvargas on January 6, 2010 at 12:28 pm {one comment}

SSG Cynthia Lyons of the 423rd Transportation Company meets with Dennis McCormack (left) and Joe Fowler. Fowler replaced McCormack as Lyons' Army Wounded Warrior representative, and this was Fowler's first chance to get to talk with Lyons and understand her situation.

By Stacie Shain
Fort Carson Warrior Transition Battalion Public Affairs Officer

When Joe Fowler met Advocate Dennis McCormack over two years ago as he entered the Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) program, he never dreamed he would someday take over his job. But when McCormack decided to retire in November, he knew Fowler was the perfect replacement.

“When I decided I was going to retire, and I knew Joe wanted to go to work, I thought he’d be perfect for the job,” Dennis said.

For Fowler, it’s a chance to give back to a program that has helped him recover and move on with his life. He gave up Social Security and disability benefits to accept the job.

“I think I bring a different perspective to the job,” Fowler said. “I can show other AW2 Soldiers that there is an end to it all. And I want to help out and do anything I can to give back.”

Said McCormack: “Joe is an inspiration to many Soldiers. His attitude is great. He shows how someone can serve, get injured, and then come back.”

Coming back hasn’t been easy for Fowler, however. He’s already had 19 surgeries and faces a few more to recover from injuries he received in Iraq four years ago while working as a dog handler with the 759th Military Police Battalion, 148th MP detachment and attached to the 10th Mountain Division.

On December 11, 2005, Fowler and his Belgian Tervuren, Dak, were being dropped off for a three-day mission to search trucks near Baghdad. Elections were upcoming, and tensions were high. Just four minutes outside Camp Victory, the Humvee Fowler was riding in rolled over an improvised explosive device (IED), and the anti-tank mine caused the Humvee to explode.

“I was ejected from the Humvee,” said Fowler. “I was still on fire, and I saw flames on my body. First thing I did was try to calm down. The ‘stop, drop, and roll’ doesn’t really work when you are wearing body armor with ammo pouches, so I had to take off my vest, and then roll.”

Injured Soldiers were everywhere. The gunner and the driver landed to the right of the explosion in a culvert. The gunner broke his pelvis, had a fractured left foot that later had to be amputated, and traumatic brain injury. The driver also fractured his pelvis and had minor burns on his hands.

The truck commander was thrown 300 feet and died instantly.

Once he’d put out the flames, Fowler immediately searched for Dak, only to find that his dog had been killed in the blast.

Within minutes, a combat medic arrived to start treating the injured, and Fowler was loaded in a truck and taken to the troop medical clinic at Camp Victory. From there, he was loaded into a Black Hawk and placed in a medical-induced coma. Fowler doesn’t remember the trip back to the U.S., arriving at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas, on December 14, 2005.

BAMC became Fowler’s new home, as he spent almost two years there getting treatment for his burns, a broken right ankle, a broken right wrist and a dislocated right elbow. While the burns were mostly on his right side, 54 percent of them were second- and third-degree burns.

Although he grew up in Oceanside, California, Fowler wanted to return to Colorado Springs when he was released from the hospital.

“I had spent 10 years on active duty, and I had a lot of friends still here in the area, so I wanted to come back here,” he said.

Following his release from BAMC, Fowler took a year off to enjoy time with his wife, Leslie, and son, Shane, who was born during his deployment.

“I took that time off to really do nothing,” he said. “I wanted to go fishing, mountain biking, and hiking.”

Fowler was also named a Sentinel in the Sentinels of Freedom program. The program provides what its Web site (www.sentinelsoffreedom.org) calls “life scholarships,” which help severely wounded veterans become self sufficient.

The program allowed Fowler to return to school, helped Leslie Fowler get a teaching job in Colorado, and refurbished his home. Fowler is still involved in the program, helping coordinate outreach events for the organization and attending events.

“I’m the pretty face,” he said.

But now Fowler is more than a Sentinel. He’s an AW2 Advocate to 44 Soldiers who are in the program.

“The best I can do is to talk to these Soldiers and tell them there’s an end to what they are going through,” Fowler said. “I can help them get to their end goal and do whatever makes them happy.”

Fowler is spending his first two months meeting every AW2 Soldier under his advocacy, talking with them, getting a feel for their needs, and letting them get to know him and what he’s been through in his recovery.

Along with AW2 Advocate Ed Butler, Fowler is primarily concentrating on Soldiers at Fort Carson who are not in the Warrior Transition Battalion.

While Fowler steps into his position, McCormack plans to travel with his wife, spend more time with his grandchildren, work with local non-profit organizations, such as Homefront Cares, and try to make more connections between Fort Carson and the local community.

“I’ll stay busy with projects, working to help veterans and wounded warriors,” McCormack said. “And I’ll keep in touch and work with Joe to keep supporting Soldiers.”

While he was feeling guilty about leaving the AW2 program, McCormack knows he leaves it in capable hands.

“Joe will do just fine,” he said. “Knowing Joe is my replacement makes me feel better about retiring.”

The Army Wounded Warrior program is “the official U.S. Army program that assists and advocates for severely wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families, wherever they are located, for as long as it takes,” according to its Web site (www.aw2.army.mil). AW2 provides personalized support to the most severely injured or ill Soldiers who suffered injuries or illnesses during Overseas Contingency Operations since Sept. 11, 2001. Such support includes services in career and education, finance, health care, human resources, insurance, and family services.

As of August 2009, there are more than 5,000 Soldiers in the AW2 program and approximately 160 Advocates worldwide. Dennis said the number of AW2 Soldiers has doubled in the past 30 months.

There are seven AW2 Advocates in Colorado Springs, including six at Fort Carson (four who work with the Warrior Transition Battalion, plus Fowler and Butler who work with the 4th Infantry Division) and another in Colorado Springs who works with the veteran population in town.

Wounded Warrior Alligator Hunt

Filed under Soldier Story by jvargas on December 31, 2009 at 9:30 am {2 comments}

AW2 Veterans participate in alligator hunt.

By AW2 Veteran Derek L. Duplisea
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I received an email in my AKO account from LTC (Retired) John McDaniel the first week of September inviting me to northern Florida for an alligator hunt. John is a close friend of my old squadron commander, COL Art Kandarian, who connected us through email a few months ago. John is the founder of the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation- a non-profit organization that provides Purple Heart recipients with world-class sportsmen activities.

The hunt was set for 20 September. John had also invited two other Wounded Warriors – CPL Brian Knapp, an active duty Marine and fellow AW2 Veteran, SGT (Retired) Robert Leonard. All three of us arrived late Saturday night and met John at the Jacksonville International Airport and after a short ride to our hotel, we were treated to freshly cooked fried alligator meat. After introductions, we chatted for a while and told war and hunting stories then headed to bed. It was going to be a busy day on Sunday.

The next morning we drove down to Lake Lochloosa outside of Gainesville and met up for a large BBQ lunch with the Airboat Association and our guides for the hunt. We enjoyed some good old fashioned Southern Hospitality and food (more gator meat!). Then we were treated to Airboats rides on the lake and through the marshes.

Around 5:00 pm we started to get ready for the hunt – prepping our harpoons, bows and Airboats – kind of reminded me of doing Pre Combat Checks before a mission. When the sun went done, we hit the lake looking for alligators.

It was a great time had by all. The guides were great, the pilots were awesome and we saw plenty of gators. It was a different kind of hunt, having to get up close and personal with the prey. But we quickly learned the art of the harpoon and alligator bow hunting and all three of us netted alligators from 3.5 feet to 6 feet.

Because of the selfless efforts of one retired Ranger Lieutenant Colonel, three of America’s Heroes got to enjoy a special kind of trip. I’m not just talking about the hunt. The best part of the weekend was getting to know two other Wounded Warriors and hearing their stories. And to top that off was the countless “Thank You” comments from the men and women who made this all possible for us.

The true Hero that weekend was John McDaniel. He did not have to start an organization to help our wounded heroes, he did not have to contact each and every one of us personally to invite us to Florida, he did not have to pick us up at the airport and lodge us, he did not have to take care of organizing such an event but he did. He does this for the love of the Soldier, Marine, Airmen and Sailor who bled for their Flag and Country. True leaders take care of their Soldiers no matter the price and the Ranger motto of “Never leave a fallen comrade” are words that epitomize such a man as John.

Thanks John for the unforgettable memories!

Here am I. Send me.

Filed under Soldier Story, Staff Stories by jvargas on December 30, 2009 at 3:23 pm {no comments}

By Emily Oehler, WTC Stratcom

Tuesday morning I was in the Pentagon for a friend’s promotion to Colonel. It was especially poignant as the ceremony was held in the 9/11 Chapel located on the side of the Pentagon that was struck by the airplane 8 years ago. I first met this public affairs officer when I was supporting Casualty and Mortuary Affairs and also worked with him through the Army Wounded Warrior Program.

During the invocation, a quote by General Patton was referenced, “Let me not mourn for the men who have died fighting, but rather let me be glad that such heroes have lived.”

As I thought about this statement, I was quite overwhelmed to sit in that hallowed location and watch COL Kevin V. Arata take the following oath of office:

I (insert name), having been appointed a (insert rank) in the U.S. Army under the conditions indicated in this document, do accept such appointment and do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God.

An oath that in fact puts him (and all Soldiers who take it) in harms ways, keeps him away from his family, and shows him the tragedy of war—all for the sake of so many American citizens who will never know him, his family, his leadership, his talent, his friendship, his ability and his sense of humor. I think too often we think of Soldiers as objects and forget the people beneath the uniform—and the loved ones who support them. Today, during the ceremony, the room was packed with co-workers, friends, and family. It was great to see all that visible support for a Soldier.

For the benediction, his cousin stated the following passage from Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

In the 9/11 Chapel, watching my friend re-commit to serve this country, that scripture has never been more meaningful. It was powerful, and an honor, to watch someone volunteer for that responsibility.

For those of you have taken the oath, thank you for volunteering … and though we don’t always show it, or know how to, please know that so many American’s—especially myself—appreciate that you heard the call and accepted the challenge.

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