JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The Brooke Army Medical Center Warrior Transition Battalion marked its 10-year anniversary Oct. 20 during a celebration at the Liberty Field Barracks on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.
Over the past 10 years the BAMC WTB has cared for more than 5,500 Soldiers, many of them injured in support of combat operations around the globe.
BAMC Commanding General Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson said he was proud to help celebrate the milestone.
For the past 10 years, the WTB has been serving Soldiers who are at a point in their military career where they need the most support possible from the Army, their leaders and their family members, the general said.
"Caring for our Soldiers is not just about healing their wounds medically," Johnson said. "It's about supporting them -- physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. That includes the service member's family as well."
Johnson thanked the leaders and support staff for making it their mission to care for "our nation's greatest assets -- America's sons and daughters."
The event included remarks from the WTB Commander Lt. Col. James Mitchell and past WTB Soldiers as well as a cake cutting, refreshments and displays.
The mission of the WTB is to provide competent and compassionate leadership through mission command, complex case management, comprehensive transition planning, and primary care in a safe environment promoting optimum healing for our wounded, ill, or injured Soldiers returning to the force or transitioning to civilian life as productive Veterans.
WTB Battalion Transition Coordinator, retired Master Sgt. Pamela Mandell, a former Soldier in Transition, says her job within the WTB is rewarding.
"It's truly a wonderful experience to be able to help Soldiers who have gone through what I've gone through or experiencing what I've felt," Mandell said. "I love my job. I love seeing the smiles on their faces as they succeed and to see there is life after what they've been through and that they are still productive members of society."
Retired Sgt. Jared Werner, who was wounded by a gunshot in 2013, spent 15 months in recovery. During his time at the WTB, he benefited from one of the many programs offered to Soldiers. Werner accepted an internship with the Defense Military Pay Office on Fort Sam Houston. He is now employed there.
Werner offers this advice to other Soldiers who are about to transition from the military. "Have a plan. Have a backup plan to your back up plan," he said. "Make sure you take advantage of your education opportunities and continue to look for employment opportunities."
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