Since 2009, the Warrior Transition Command (WTC) has provided oversight and facilities around the world to support wounded, ill and injured Soldiers as they transition back to duty or the civilian community. Representatives of military service organizations (MSO) and veterans service organizations (VSO) were invited to Fort Belvoir on May 4 for a tour of facilities and services that are available to Soldiers in Transition.
The invitation from the Warrior Transition Brigade-National Capital Region aimed to seek additional strategic opportunities to "establish a community of support," as Col. Chris Toner explained to the guests. Toner is the WTC Commander.
The three-hour event, with guests from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Blue Star Families and other organizations providing support to Soldiers and Veterans, began with a briefing from Col. Christopher Boyle, WTB-NCR commander. Boyle gave an overview of the mission of the Warrior Care and Transition Program (WCTP).
The WCTP, Boyle said, provides an environment in each Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) to help the Soldiers heal. Each of the 3,600 individuals in the WTUs has a healing and transition plan tailored just for them, he explained.
The invited representatives inspected first-hand the living quarters in the WTU. They took a short walk to the Soldier Family Assistance Center, which provides education, benefits, and family services; and National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), which specializes in the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and behavioral health. The scientific, standards-based approach to care in the NICoE ensures Soldiers with TBI or behavioral health issues receive the most-qualified care.
Invitees were bused a short distance to the Wells Gymnasium. There, the MSO and VSO representatives watched the Army sitting volleyball team train for the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia, to be held June 19-28.
Sitting volleyball is one of the adaptive reconditioning sports where wounded, ill and injured Soldiers participate to improve their physical and emotional well-being. Adaptive sports contribute to a successful recovery for Soldiers.
The tour ended at the USO, a valuable resource for Soldiers around the world but especially important for Soldiers in the WTUs. A USO representative discussed the additional healing opportunities for Soldiers in Transition.
The programs and facilities offered by the USO, including creative writing, art studio, music therapy, and other programs, are important in promoting recovery. The USO has historically provided a home-away-from-home setting and emotional support for Soldiers, wherever duty takes them, and they continue to do so for Soldiers in the WTU.
The strategic opportunity for collaboration was the overarching theme for the day. While medical, housing and transition services are well managed by the WTB, the elements of emotional and social support, often provided by MSOs and VSOs, are critical as well.
The event highlighted the care and services provided by multiple Fort Belvoir organizations that support wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and their families. The goal always has been to help all Soldiers in the WTU remain ready and resilient. Soldiers in the WTU remain an important component of total force capability, and sustaining a culture of dignity and respect for these men and women is an important goal of the WTC.
The strategic outreach effort to the MSOs and VSOs aimed to build partnerships to ensure the entire spectrum of support is available for Soldiers in Transition. Enduring and evolving partnerships provide the optimal opportunity for successful recovery.
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