Life Changes on a Dime

By MaryTherese Griffin, Army Warrior Care and TransitionOctober 17, 2017

Life Changes on a Dime
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ARLINGTON, Va. - New York City or Bust!

Ten Soldiers from the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C. traveled to Breezy Point, N.Y. for a once in a life time experience. The majority of these Warriors had never been to the Big Apple. They were lucky enough through a coordinated effort at the Fort Bragg WTB to travel to N.Y. for a weekend hosted by the Breezy Point and Rockaway Beach communities along with Hope for the Warriors. Physical adaptiveness meets emotional and spiritual resiliency…Oh what folks from two different worlds have in common!

The Warriors were greeted with a Hero's Welcome Parade through the streets of Rockaway Beach, Breezy Point, and surrounding neighborhoods. The streets were lined with Rolling Thunder riders and residents all cheering, clapping, and waving American flags.

"I didn't know what to expect here," said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Moncada, one of the Soldiers assigned to the WTB at Fort Bragg that made the trip. "When we showed up the entire community came together and it was amazing especially given what they all went through during 9-11. The sense of community here is fantastic."

The view of the Manhattan skyline from Breezy Point and Rockaway Beach made these Soldiers take a moment to reflect on that fateful September day when the country was changed forever. Moncada thought about what it meant for New Yorkers to endure that monstrous act, pick themselves up and rebuild; Resiliency. Life can change on a dime and the change you get in return could be great.

Seeing how families have pulled together since 9-11 in the surrounding areas of New York City and how they are tackling physical and emotional issues was awe inspiring for the group. The trip was time well spent helping the warriors focus on the physical, emotional, spiritual, social and family aspects of their own recovery.

As Moncada looked at the skyline, he also reflected on his own life changing experiences. The married father of three little girls suffered back and shoulder injuries, as well as post-traumatic stress, during his Army career which includes two tours in Afghanistan. After serving in the 82nd Airborne and the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, he was assigned to the WTB.

Moncada says he knew about the WTB and he even knew where it was. He saw the building every day as he drove by it on his way to work. All those days spent driving by, it never occurred to him that he may one day be assigned to it. "I never thought I would use [the WTB] - not ever!" Moncada laughed. "But I will tell you, the WTB opened up a door for me to be able to go forward with work and with family life."

Moncada has had a great experience with the WTB. The staff has supported him during his recovery serving as the facilitators to help him learn how to help himself.

The trip to New York was special in many ways for the warriors from Fort Bragg. It allowed them to visit a resilient community and reflect on their own resiliency and the experiences that led them to where they are now. One thing the group could agree on, according to Moncada, is that the folks at the WTB that work with and care about Soldiers, introduce them to new possibilities all the time. The only thing a Soldier needs to do is take advantage of them.

As Moncada has realized, and would advise other Soldiers in transition, "It's important to know, you get out of it what you put in to it." For these ten Soldiers whose lives all changed on a dime, they are putting in the work and trying to make the most out of that change.