Sill sign WTU Covenent

By Robyn Baer, Fort Sill CannoneerFebruary 20, 2009

Fort Sill made a promise to provide quality care for wounded Warriors Feb. 11 when Fort Sill's commanding general Maj. Gen. Peter Vangjel, Warrior Transition Unit leaders and Soldiers, and health care personnel signed the Warrior Health Care Covenant at the WTU Townhall meeting.

The Warrior Health Care Covenant is basically a pledge for the providers and the Warrior Transition Unit to approach the care of wounded Warriors in a holistic manner, encompassing all aspects of health-related issues, said Capt. Jonathan Priddy, WTU commander.

"The signing of the covenant solidifies our pledges and efforts to support our wounded Warriors," he added.

Steven Weatherspoon, the WTU executive and operations officer, said the covenant shows wounded Warriors that they are valued and important and that senior leadership has them as their priority to make sure they and their families are taken care of the right way.

"The maze of bureaucracies that wounded Soldiers faced prior to the WTU often made it difficult for Soldiers to focus on healing and for families to receive assistance. The WTU's efforts designed, implemented and streamlined a system that was previously unsynchronized and allow the focus of a Soldier to be on healing," Priddy said.

The covenant involves squad leaders, platoon sergeants, WTU leaders, case managers, primary care managers, people who work at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, the Veterans Administration, the Department of Labor, wounded Warriors and their families, and many more.

"There is an abundance of agencies we coordinate with to help the transition process for the Warrior while they are at the WTU," Priddy said.

The covenant publicly shows the Army's commitment to the WTU program and promises Soldiers that they will receive the best care possible, Weatherspoon said.

"The WTU was designed as part of the Army Medical Action Plan, and as such, Army Medicine, the Department of Veterans Affairs and other support agencies have joined together to identify and implement changes designed to enhance accountability and continuity of care and assistance as Soldiers transition," Priddy explained.

At Fort Sill, there are 100 Soldiers in the Warrior Transition Unit.

The Army Warrior Health Care Covenant

Aca,!Ac We are grateful for the contributions of warriors and their families.

Aca,!Ac We will provide warriors and their families the highest quality of care and services possible to honor their contributions to our nation.

Aca,!Ac We will provide the assistance needed by warriors and their families during the healing process.

Aca,!Ac We will provide initiatives and programs for warriors and their families that support their transition back to duty or their continued service to our nation as a veteran.

Aca,!Ac We will provide an environment that is conducive to healing by focusing on body, mind, heart and spirit.