Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., leaders sign Warrior Covenant

Rock Island Arsenal and Community Based Warrior in Transition Unit - Illinois leaders signed the Army Warrior Healthcare Covenant on Feb. 17 at the Arsenal Club. The covenant reaffirmed the commitment that installation and medical leadership pledged as a part of Army Warrior Care Month. Maj. Gen. Robert M. Radin, commanding general of Army Sustainment Command and senior mission commander at RIA; Joel Himsl, RIA garrison manager; Col. Larry Heisler, commander of Task Force NARMC; and Capt. Martin Munoz, CBWTU-IL commander, all signed the covenant affirming the commitment of the Arsenal\'s leadership to the Soldiers and families served by the CBWTU-IL. Task Force NARMC, or North Atlantic Regional Medical Command, serves as a "remote installation" to Community Based Health Care Organizations located in Boston, Mass.; Virginia Beach, Va.; and Rock Island, Ill. The CBWTU provides medical and administrative case management to National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers whose injury or illness requires ongoing medical treatment. CBWTU enables these Soldiers to live at home and remain on active duty while receiving medical care. "The community is the support base for all these Soldiers coming home; this is important," Heisler said. Transition back into their communities is key to the program and community members help, Heisler said, noting families are also a big part of it, along with the local medical community. The CBWTU - IL is responsible for assisting Soldiers in the six-state area of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and Indiana. The ceremony was highlighted by a videotaped keynote speech by Radin, who was traveling. In his remarks, Radin highlighted the support he and ASC Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen D. Blake provide to Warriors. Radin was referring to a program he spearheaded early in 2008 to ensure the National Guard Bureau and Army Reserve Headquarters were abreast of Warrior issues and concerns. Himsl's speech highlighted the upgrade of CBWTU-IL facilities. He also mentioned the Quad Cities Military Appreciation Week scheduled in May. Heisler expressed his thanks for the sacrifices that the Warriors have made for their nation. He also praised the service that the CBWTU cadre and healthcare providers give to the Wounded Warriors. The cere mony also featured the awarding of certificates of recognition to members of the local and Arsenal community. The unit has benefited from community support to help make the unit's mission successful. Col. Mark Klingelhoefer, Joint Munitions Command chief of staff, joined the dignitaries for the awards reception portion of the ceremony. Award recipients were Jack Smith, Army Community Service; Rosanne Spencer, TACOM Life Cycle Management Command; Huck Rhodenbaugh, RIA Department of Public Works; Mark Shuck, Association of the United States Army; Dr. Bryan Blew, Blew Family Dentistry; Nancy Reeves, Child and Youth Services; Michael Brisch, Steeplegate Best Western Hotel; and Kirk Goodman, Quad Cities River Bandits. The recipients contributed to CBWTU-IL's facilities upgrade last year and to the success of quarterly Warrior Musters, at which Soldiers in transition meet face-to-face with their case managers and advisers. CBWTU-IL has returned to duty or administratively out-processed more than 1,200 Soldiers since 2004. All of these Soldiers were mobilized in support of overseas contingency operations and incurred wounds, injury or illness during their mobilized time. CBWTU-IL was the first CBWTU to conduct a covenant ceremony. Ceremonies were also planned at Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; and in Heidelberg, Germany. The covenant will be displayed in the unit's new office location in Building 350 and serves as a symbol of the commitment by the unit and Arsenal leaders to future Warriors.