The 3rd Battalion, 85th Mountain Infantry Regiment, Warrior Transition Battalion Fort Drum is charged with helping wounded, sick and injured Soldiers transition out of the Army or back to their unit once their medical treatment is complete.
This mission would be unattainable without the dedicated support of the cadre who ensure each Soldier in transition is provided the proper care and treatment.
Staff Sgt. Benjamin Lamb has been part of the WTB cadre as a squad leader at Fort Drum for the past three years.
Previously a cavalry scout, Lamb said that joining the WTB was definitely a change, and one he does not regret.
According to Lamb, every day is different for cadre. Some days require taking Soldiers to appointments and handling paperwork, while others entail taking a group of Soldiers on an outing designed specifically for wounded, ill and injured Soldiers.
"It is never boring," said Lamb, who is responsible for eight Soldiers in transition. "You have eight different Soldiers, with eight different schedules, eight different sets of appointments and eight different stages of transition."
Because of the complex mission set of the WTB, the work of the cadre does not end when the duty day is over, or even when that cadre is on leave.
"It doesn't matter if you are on pass; you may be the only person that Soldier feels comfortable talking to at that moment," Lamb said. "You've really got to put them before yourself and even your Family."
The role of the WTB cadre is crucial to the successful transition of Soldiers -- one of the most important missions in the Army, according to Lt. Col. Brad Johnson, 3-85th Mountain Infantry, WTB commander.
"This unit has one of the most important missions in our Army -- to heal and transition Soldiers," Johnson said. "The cadre, both military and civilian, are the ones who make this happen and enable the Soldiers to heal and prepare for transition on a daily basis. Of all the cadre, the squad leaders have the most contact with our Soldiers in transition. They are entrusted with the care of our nation's heroes and tasked with managing their complex schedules. They are the first line in this quiet, yet critical battle."
The role of the squad leader in the WTB is to advocate for each Soldier to ensure he or she receives the best care possible and understands what he or she needs to do for a successful transition. This requires a very close and trusting relationship between the Soldier and squad leader, meaning not everyone is cut out for this job.
"This position takes somebody who is seriously committed to something other than themselves; you cannot be selfish," Lamb said. "You have to start with being a human; you have to have that compassion and empathy combined with enforcing standards and discipline, and to top it all off, with setting the standard."
The WTB is currently looking for Soldiers to join the cadre.
"We look for leadership," Johnson said, when considering potential Soldiers to join the team.
"Our cadre are selected based on a holistic assessment of their skills and abilities, but leadership qualities are the No. 1 discriminator," he said. "They have to genuinely care for the Soldiers they lead, and they have to be resilient to deal with the stressors of the job."
While the job, like any other, has its ups and downs and can be challenging at times, Lamb said he does not regret volunteering.
"I don't regret volunteering for this position -- ever," he said. "It's not only made me 10 times the Soldier, but 10 times the person I was."
"This isn't a job for those who are looking for a break -- this is not an easy way out," he added. "But it is very rewarding."
Johnson echoed that statement.
"Each Soldier in transition has an individual mission," he said. "As leaders in the WTB, we ensure that each (Soldier) has the resources to complete his or her mission. It is a challenge, but extremely fulfilling. There is no greater calling than to care for others."
Soldiers who are interested in joining the WTB cadre can contact 1st Lt. Matthew Marshall, the 3-85th Mountain Infantry S1, at 772-1149.
Enlisted Soldiers will go through an interview process with the command sergeant major, and officers will interview with the battalion commander.
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