FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- As a part of the reintegration process for Soldiers returning from combat, those assigned or attached to Warrior Transition Battalions are offered rehabilitation assistance and support for themselves and their Families, in order to make transitioning back to military careers and communities as painless as possible.
Warriors are also given an opportunity to participate in the work study program. This program is designed to help warriors regain skills, competencies and confidence required to perform either the job that they have been trained to do or an entirely new job - both at a modified level to accommodate their health/physical restrictions.
Although there are many systems in place to facilitate the needs of the warrior in transition, the most important system within the WTB program is the occupational therapy program, which matches a warrior with team of rehabilitation specialists.
OT's mission is to help restore behavioral, psychosocial, vocational and educational objectives to maximize functional performance, quality of life, and readiness to return to duty, or transition to a productive civilian life.
After the warrior has been under the care of an occupational therapist and is deemed capable of taking on a job, he or she finds a place to work through the Manpower Request System.
Once the warrior finds an occupation which fits within their safety parameters, the reintegration process begins, explains Chief Warrant Officer 3 Qasim Sattar, 470th Military Intelligence Brigade S1 (Human Resources technician), who is also the liaison for this program within the battalion.
It is through this system and coordination with the Special Actions Branch that the 470th MI Brigade was able to acquire the services of Staff Sgt. Angela Valtierra.
Valtierra, who eventually transitioned through the WTB from her duty station in Korea, now works as the S-2 (Security) noncommissioned officer in charge.
While assigned to the WTB, she underwent the necessary treatments and therapies and took full advantage of available services and resources which enabled her to return to work.
"Find what you want and don't be afraid to try something new if you can't," she said. "This new job is so different from my last, but I like [the interaction with Soldiers] and I would encourage anyone who wants to do something new to get out and do it. Staying busy helped me get my mind off of my illness."
"Healing is the priority for the warrior," Sattar said.
There are many job opportunities in the brigade for those who are Military Occupation Speciality-qualified in MI operations or would like to train in MI, Sattar said.
Openings are also available with the adjutant general, signal intelligence, logistics, legal, finance, military police, chaplain's assistance and mechanics for those who desire to try working in a new field.
Warriors are encouraged to use the WTB job placement system to find a job within the 470th MI Brigade to aid with rehabilitation.
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