VILSECK, Germany -- More than 60 community members gathered at Dragoon Field here, June 22, to witness as Capt. Ryan M. Putnam relinquished command of Delta Company, Warrior Transition Battalion-Europe, to Capt. Michael C. Blake.
Following the time-honored tradition of passing the guidon from the outgoing to the incoming commander to signify the official transfer of command, Lt. Col. Michael C. Richardson, commander, Warrior Transition Battalion-Europe, addressed the crowd.
“The Warrior Transition mission within our Army is so complex, so new, so challenging and ever so incredibly visible, that it takes a special type of leader to accept … and … execute it; Capt. Ryan Putnam did just that,” Richardson said.
Putnam commanded the company for 10 months and was its executive officer for more than a year before that. Shortly before the ceremony began, he expressed how proud he was for having been part of what he called one of the Army’s best missions.
“As a junior commander, to be responsible for 230 very high risk Soldiers … and not have any serious incidents; that says something about what the (Warrior Transition Unit) does,” Putnam said.
He said the culture of trust that is built into the WTU between the behavioral health clinics, Soldiers, and the holistic care they receive makes the program a success.
“I’ve seen people with huge challenges … get their minds off themselves and build resilient lives of their own by helping others. I’m lucky to have been able to get a job like this,” Putnam said.
During the ceremony, Putnam delivered a heartfelt speech, thanking his senior enlisted Soldiers for their support. He encouraged Soldiers to never apologize for getting the help they need, to gather their strength, and to take care of each other.
“Today, I transition,” Putnam said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to renew my strength and take on my next challenge, whatever that may be.”
Putnam’s next assignment is at the Joint Multinational Simulation Center at Grafenwoehr’s Camp Aachen.
As the incoming commander, Blake’s speech was direct and efficient. He thanked Richardson for giving him the opportunity to lead, and said all policies and procedures remain in effect.
Following the ceremony, Blake addressed his company privately and said he would meet with them individually to get to know everyone. He was joined later by Brig. Gen. Steven Salazar, commanding general, Joint Multinational Training Command, who recognized individual Soldiers with command coins and thanked them for their service.
“This guy’s gonna take good care of you,” Salazar said.
In 2007, the Army created 35 Warrior Transition Units to effectively support wounded, ill and injured Soldiers. At the heart of the WTU system’s success is its “triad of care.” The triad is comprised of a squad leader, who leads the Soldiers; a nurse case manager, who coordinates their care; and a primary care physician, who supervises the comprehensive nature of their care.
The WTU creates the familiar environment of a military unit and surrounds Soldiers and their families with comprehensive care and support, all focused on the wounded, ill or injured warrior’s sole mission -- to heal and transition.
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