Army designates November as WCM

Clarence Davis III

WBAMC Public Affairs 

The Army has designated November as “Warrior Care Month” to highlight the contributions and sacrifices of wounded warriors and their families and the Army’s determination to provide all medical treatment and support needed as they recover and transition back to duty or to civilian life.

The month’s theme is “Army Strong – Family Strong: caring for warriors by supporting Army Families.”

“Warrior Care Month is an opportunity to highlight recent Warrior Care and Transition program initiatives that have been developed and are being developed to improve warrior care, especially those dealing with the transition of Soldiers beyond Warrior Transition Unit assignment into the next phase of their lives,” said Col. Darryl Williams, Warrior Transition Command commander. “WCM 2010 will emphasize the support and assistance of families and caregivers as a critical element of the healing and recovery process for every wounded, ill and injured Soldier.”

The WTC, through MED-COM’s regional medical commands, will be working with WTUs, community based warrior transition units and the Army Wounded Warrior program to conduct outreach events and engagements to inform and educate warriors in transition, AW2 Soldiers, veterans, their families and caregivers, local community members and the wider Army Family about programs and initiatives designed to improve outpatient care and transition services.

To support the families and caregivers in their new role, services are expanding to support families and caregivers in such areas as medical record access, social services and counseling, resiliency and transition planning.

“We get it,” said Williams. “The Army is actively seeking innovative ways to include families and caregivers in warrior care programs and processes. 

“For example, Soldier Family Assistance Centers work with WTUs as a one-stop shop for warriors in transition and their families to find information and assist with personal needs ranging from housing and transportation to child care and assistance from Veterans Benefits Administration representatives to apply for and set up services so there will be no delay in receiving disability benefits and services when Soldiers leave the Army.”

To highlight these and many other Soldier-Family issues during WCM, the Army will be hosting education and outreach events at the WTU/CBWTU installation level to increase visibility for warrior care programs that inform, support, and include the families and caregivers of wounded, ill and injured Soldiers. In addition, the local community, business leaders and elected officials will be invited to events in order to provide them with information and to assist in making key linkages with WTU cadre, Soldiers, and families.

“Career fairs, open houses, professional development sessions, SFAC openings, program kick-offs and other opportunities to highlight Family/caregiver appreciation will be encouraged during Warrior Care Month,” said Williams. “I’m anticipating WTU/CBWTU staff, along with our AW2 advocates, will be creating some very exciting local outreach events to inform and educate our Army stakeholders and local communities about warrior care.”

For more information, contact your local WTU/CBWTU/AW2 official or visit http://wtc.armylive.dodlive.mil.