Army Giving Shattered Soldiers New Dreams

One of the most difficult transitions a human being can make is from a healthy, fully abled life to one that has been severely impaired by injury. The men and women of the United States Army have been facing that risk for over two hundred years. Today, as we fight a global War on Terror, these Army warriors are returning home injured in mind and body.

I was fortunate to speak today with COL Jim Rice, Director of the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) and Ms. Roberta Berry, Career Coordinator with AW2.

The United States Army recognizes that some of the most difficult transitions are those that soldiers with very serious wounds must make. Paralysis, missing limbs, scars or brain damage are the products of the service that these soldiers gave their country. The Army has created the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) to provide assistance to these brave Americans and their families. Almost 5,400 soldiers meet the criteria for the AW2 program.

"That criteria is:
Suffer from injuries or illness incurred in the line of duty after September 10, 2001, in support of Overseas Contingency Operations since 9/11, and

Receive or expected to receive an Army Physical Disability Evaluation System rating of 30% or greater in one or more specific categories:
Blindness/Loss of Vision
Deafness/Hearing Loss
Fatal/Incurable Disease
Loss of Limb
Permanent Disfigurement
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Severe Burns
Spinal Cord Injury/Paralysis
Traumatic Brain Injury
Any other condition requiring extensive hospitalizations or multiple surgeries

OR Receive an Army Physical Disability Evaluation System combined rating equal to or greater than 50% for any other combat or combat related conditions.

AW2 can direct Soldiers who do not meet the program criteria to other Army and Government programs that they may be covered under."

It grew out of a program called Disabled Soldier Support System (DS3) and has been expanded as the need has grown.

Col. Rice told us that a soldier's contact with AW2 begins on his arrival at an Army hospital such as Landstuhl in Germany or Trippler in Hawaii. From entry into the program, the wounded warrior and his family are assigned an advocate who will guide and assist them through the next months and years. There are over 120 advocates, stationed at Army hospitals world wide as well as select Veterans' Administration medical centers in the United States. While not every VA facility has advocates, they are assigned to areas where there are clusters of AW2 soldiers living or receiving treatment.

Rice said that a grievous injury does not mean separation from the Army. If a soldier wishes to remain serving, every effort will be made to permit that. No one below the rank of Deputy Chief of Staff G1, currently a two star general, can deny this request. About 125 Army warriors have chosen to remain on duty in some capacity under this aspect of the program. The vast majority of soldiers in the AW2 program elect to take a medical discharge into civilian life.

Ms. Berry discussed one of the latest efforts by the AW2 team has been working with wounded warriors to find them employment opportunities in either the Federal Government or in the private sector. There are employment criteria in the Federal system and within the Department of the Army that give AW2 soldiers priority for hiring purposes. AW2 staff have also been working with employers in the private sector, and with educational institutions, in order to provide job opportunities and educational opportunities. Just over 100 soldiers have been placed through this effort.

AW2 is also working with the families of these soldiers. The job opportunities are available to spouses. The current and future caregivers for the wounded are a part of the Army's comprehensive strategy of assistance.

These wounded warriors are the most badly injured. Without assistance of any sort, their prospects for jobs and education in civilian life would be limited at best. The Army Wounded Warrior Program allows them the chance to have a more normal and fulfilling life.