Congressional representatives were on hand recently to learn more about how the Army is taking care of its wounded ill and injured Soldiers during the Fort Hood Warrior Transition Brigades' first-ever "Day in the Life of a Soldier in Transition."
The three-hour event, held in advance of Warrior Care Month, included briefings ranging from WTB entry procedures and the different roles of a Soldier in Transition's care team to career and education opportunities and Family programs. The two field representatives attending the event also toured an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliance barracks room, in addition to observing a wheelchair basketball exhibition.
WTB commander, Col. Douglas Woodall, explained to Anthony Triola, field representative for U.S Rep.John Carter, R-Round Rock, and Don Nichols, field representative for U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, that he wants to make the WTB experience transparent and predictable.
"A large number of Soldiers who come here don't feel there is transparency or predictability," he said, adding that when Soldiers first arrive at the WTB, many are unsure of what to expect or feel they did not get a vote in the process. "That's just not the case, however, because every Soldier who comes here meets the criteria to get in here, and that they need this care."
Dispelling 'broken Soldier' myth
Woodall said the lack of knowledge about the WTB program perpetuates the myth about "being broken," so he told the Texas field representatives that he personally invites those Soldiers with reservations for a one-on-one meeting with him so he can explain the program and what to expect.
"It's much harder to rebuild that trust in the Army that Soldiers sometimes lose when they feel that they're broken," he said, adding that they then see that it's not about the WTB, but getting into a better place. "Here, they have the opportunity to heal and focus on a healing path for the future."
One of the Soldiers in Transition meeting with the two field reps said he, too, had some reservations about the WTB, but after learning about the multitude of career and education programs, he absorbed everything he could.
"I wasn't sure when I got to the WTB how to take this whole program," Sgt. Joshua Morgan said, "But I told myself that I wasn't going to sit home and feel sorry for myself," adding he picked up a flyer one day for subsea robotics training and is now--courtesy of the WTB--a graduate of the program and is certified internationally to install fiber-optic cable. "The best decision I ever made was to take myself out of the fight and to take care of myself. I am really thankful to the WTB for that opportunity."
Woodall said a small percent of the brigade's Soldiers return to the fight, which is why the unit emphasizes career and transitioning programs.
Helping Soldiers succeed
WTB Command Sgt. Major Jefferson Moser said that the bigger picture in helping Soldiers succeed is about "putting Soldiers back into productive lives. "
"When you leave here, we want you to feel accomplished," he said.
One extended discussion topic the two field representatives attending the congressional event wanted more information on was unit support.
"Do you ever have a Soldier's previous supervisor come in here to see how he/she is doing," Nicholas asked.
Command Sergeant Major Moser said in the year and a half he has been here, more unit support has been on the National Guard and Reserves side.
Triola said that didn't surprise him and attributed it to a "population change in the trajectory of life after healing."
"When the war was hot and heavy, you did see a whole lot more participation from their units because the majority of WTU Soldiers were combat-wounded whose transitioning was pointed back to their unit," he said. "Now the pattern has shifted to civilian life, and essentially, they are saying that the Soldier is now in the WTU."
Regardless, Woodall said, his focus is on putting that "unblinking eye" on Soldier care.
"This is their unit now, and I want them to have that trust in leadership and feel like this is the best unit they have ever been in whether they transition back to the force or as a veteran in their community," he said.
Building Family connections
Nicholas also asked about Family and spouse support.
Paulette Woodall, the command's senior spouse said spouses are sometimes angry, scared and even in denial.
"It's critical to build that connection, so they know they are not alone," she said.
Woodall said that if the command doesn't connect to the spouse, the command has failed, which is one of the reasons why the WTB has reenergized its Family and caregiver programs.
"Part of the problem is that the uniformed spouse may not have been sharing any information with their Family, so then we have an angry spouse," he said. "We have to provide Families with a belief in the future because this is a healing process not just for the Soldier, but for the Family as well."
Retiring Master Sgt. Daniel Leon said the WTB program provided a sense of comfort to his Family during his transitioning process.
"It was encouraging to my Family because they knew I was healing," the Texas National Guardsman said. "By getting the proper medication and treatment, I became a better dad and husband. This is really an awesome program."
Following the briefing, the field representatives said they were impressed with the WTB program and would go back to their bosses to let them know how critical WTUs are to the Army.
Ensuring no one left behind
"There are a whole range of services that are available here to ensure that no one is left behind," Nicholas said, adding that Soldiers need to know and understand that the WTU is there to assist and guide them in that next step.
Triola agreed, adding that it is important to break the stigma that a Soldier who gets sent to a WTU is a "broken Soldier."
"After what we've seen here today, I truly believe we need to rebuild that spirit," he said. "No one is broken. We just need to help them overcome their issues, and that's what they are doing here."
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