Posted on 06/06/2006 4:03:50 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 6, 2006) – The Army is opening doors for severely wounded Soldiers, allowing them to continue serving.
Representatives from 23 U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command agencies offered more than 400 military and defense department jobs to men and women missing limbs and suffering from other injuries at a Wounded Warrior Job Fair at Walter Reed Army Medical Center June. 2.
“We want them to know that they are wanted for continuous service in uniform or as a civilian,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Van Antwerp, commanding general of the U.S. Army Accessions Command and deputy commanding general of Initial Military Training, Fort Monroe, Va. “We’re giving people who want to serve the opportunity to continue to serve.”
More than 300 service members wounded in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom participated in the job fair while awaiting the final results of medical boards and surgical procedures.
Injuries ranging from fractures, broken bones and amputations to nerve damage have left many Soldiers concerned about what future career opportunities are available to them. The chance to transition to the civilian sector and still contribute to the Army appealed to some.
“There are a lot worse things out there than the military,” said Sgt. 1st Class Denis Viau, platoon sergeant, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Striker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Lewis, Wash., whose right leg was amputated as a result of injuries he sustained from an IED in Iraq. “I think everybody should take this opportunity, even if they are not staying in the military.”
Others wanted to continue serving.
“I joined the military because I wanted a change of career, and I believe in what we were doing and I wanted to do my part,” said Sgt. Nathan Potts, a medic with 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga. “If I can find something that can facilitate me in a different field, I would like to stay; but if not, then I’ll go back to being a high school science teacher and football coach.”
Potts lost his right leg to amputation above the knee, also from injuries sustained from an IED in Iraq.
Senior enlisted advisors from Human Resources Command and installation command sergeants major from around the Army attended the job fair to help Soldiers get an assignment preference or move to another career field.
“We are offering supply positions, wheel-vehicle mechanics, food service and management skills for those who want to change (jobs), and we may even adjust the position so that it will fit with the environment,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Aubain, command sergeant major, U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee, Va.
The job fair resulted from a new program called CARES – Civilian Army Recruitment of Exceptional Soldiers. TRADOC is the second major Army command to incorporate the program, which is primarily geared toward service members who have received a 30-percent or higher disability due to injuries sustained in the Global War on Terrorism.
Additional job fairs will be held June 21 at WRAMC, Aug. 9 at Fort Gordon, Ga., and Sept. 19 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
For more details on the Wounded Warrior Program, go to www.aw2.army.mil or call (800) 237-1336.
by Sgt. 1st Class Krishna Gamble
June 6, 2006
Maj. Elizabeth Smith, executive officer with 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas, talks to a Soldier about job opportunities at Fort Bliss during the TRADOC Wounded Warrior Job Fair at Walter Reed Army Medical Center June 2.
Where do we find such tough warriors that even want to continue serving after being wounded???
America.
May God Bless them as they continue serving!
This past weekend I had the privilege of attending a charity banquet hosted by a group called “Impact Player Partners.” They raise funds to assist wounded military.
The young Marine pictured in the top right of the web page below spoke at the event. He lost both his hands in Iraq, and he has an amazing spirit and positive outlook in life. My wife and I, and everyone else attending the event, were overwhelmed by the character of all the military present at the event. We can’t begin to thank them enough.
http://www.impactplayer.org/
They should get the jobs that are normally above Corp and non-deplyable units.
Yes,it stands to reason that they shouldn't be stationed in harm's way.In fact,it would probably be best for them to remain in the States.
'Tis but a scratch.
So successful have been the front line medical forces in theater that personnel who likely would have died 15 years ago are being successfully treated, evacuated and rehabilitated.
Now, we're reading about them being reassigned and even redeployed.
In the office where I'm a support contractor, we have a Captain who was severely wounded in Iraq. He's with us on just such a program. I don't know the exact extent of his injuries, but I know his vision is very compromised. His wife is also a Captain, but she's currently deployed to ... well where she can get shot at or blown up. Their plan is to start a family when she gets back. I don't think she'll be staying in, maybe in the Reserves? After he gets bored and frustrated half to death, he may decide not to stay in either. We shall see. Main problem is he's in an engineering/technical organization, without the background for it, so he's getting all the shiite jobs.
They are still soldiers, if they can be serve in a role that doesn't involve direct combat operations, but still is a deployment slot, and could involve being in harms way, that's where they should go, and where most would want to go.
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