Warrior Care Month was established in 2008 by the Secretary of Defense to recognize the invaluable sacrifices of wounded, ill and injured Service members, veterans and their families. The Department of Defense (DoD), including each branch of Service, commemorates Warrior Care Month to increase awareness throughout the military of wounded warrior support programs, as well as DoD’s commitment to care for wounded warriors and their families through initiatives, programs and policies.
This year’s theme is “Unleashing Unlimited Potential: Healing a Wounded Warrior’s Mind, Body, and Spirit.” Every day, wounded warriors unleash their unlimited potential. Despite facing considerable challenges, they actively pursue their passions—on duty, in school, at the office, or on the playing field. They serve as powerful examples of thriving in a new normal.
In addition to helping wounded, ill and injured Service members mend their bodies, DoD also helps to heal their minds and spirits. Through wounded warrior support programs—Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, Army Warrior Transition Command, Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment and Navy Safe Harbor—world-class assistance is provided throughout the country. Military Treatment Facilities provide expert restorative and rehabilitative care for wounded warriors from the battlefield to bedside and beyond.
According to a recent blog by Brig. Gen. Darryl Williams, Assistant Surgeon General for Warrior Care and Commander, Warrior Transition Command (WTC), warrior care encompasses not only taking care of the combat-injured, but also preventing illnesses, keeping Soldiers healthy and ready to deploy, arming Soldiers with the latest medical technology and complementary medicine, and having the best trained medics in the world. He asked that the people who support wounded warriors, such as the Veterans Administration, Congress, Veterans organizations, corporate America, local communities and individual citizens also be recognized.
Another person urging communities and citizens to get involved in supporting wounded warriors is recent Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Leroy A. Petry, who extends the call in this Warrior Care Month video clip.
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Rear Adm. (select) Annie B. Andrews, the director of Total Force Requirements Division (OPNAV N12), who now oversees Navy Safe Harbor, stated in their press release that an event like Warrior Care Month gives more visibility to wounded warriors and programs like Navy Safe Harbor.
"I am so inspired by wounded warriors' desire to get back in the fight and to remain a part of what they've always known," Andrews said. In their Warrior Care Month efforts, Navy Safe Harbor also recognizes the vast population—including military family members and other caregivers, non-medical care managers, medical treatment providers—who supports wounded warriors.
Wounded warrior support programs across all services have a variety of events planned to commemorate Warrior Care Month. They will host luncheons, information booths at events, open house events, and a wheelchair basketball tournament at the Pentagon on November 18. To learn more, visit the wounded warrior support programs at:
· Air Force Wounded Warrior
· Army Warrior Transition Command
· Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment
· Navy Safe Harbor