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U.S. Army Wounded Warrior program

Thursday April 3, 2014

What is it?

The U.S. Army Wounded Warrior program (AW2), is a major component of the Army’s Warrior Care and Transition Program. It is a dedicated program to provide personalized support to severely wounded, injured, and ill Soldiers and their families wherever they are located.

Recognizing a changing face of warfare and advances in Army Medicine, the Army took an historic step in creating the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2), in 2004. April marks thetenth anniversary of the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2).

What is the Army doing?

AW2 established a network of more than 200 Advocates at military treatment facilities (MTFs) and Veterans Affairs facilities across the country to support severely wounded, ill and injured Soldiers of all Army components. These advocates are backed by a team of transition professionals with expertise in employment, finance, human resources and navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Army expanded its support to wounded, ill and injured Soldiers in 2007 when it established the Warrior Care and Transition Program (WCTP), encompassing AW2 and new Warrior Transition Units (WTUs). At these WTUs, AW2 Advocates collaborate closely with the Soldiers’ interdisciplinary team and ensure continuity of care when the Soldier returns to the force or transitions to veteran status.

Why is this important to the Army?

Through the combined efforts of AW2 and the WTUs, the WCTP provides personalized support to more than 24,000 Soldiers and veterans throughout the recovery and transition process. AW2’s expertise has impacted almost every aspect of the recovering Soldier’s experience, from the Comprehensive Transition Plan (CTP) to career and employment readiness to adaptive reconditioning to community support resources.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

As a part of the WTC, AW2 transition professionals share the breadth of their experience to write policies and guidance affecting all wounded, ill and injured Soldiers, including those recovering at the WTUs. These policies will continue to shape the future of AW2 and all transitioning Soldiers and veterans.

Warrior care is a sacred obligation for the Army. Regardless of what the future holds with the Army drawing down, this mission will remain strong. AW2 will continue to find smarter, more effective ways to provide the best possible support and continuity of care to each Soldier, veteran and family served.

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