U S ARMY WOUNDED WARRIOR AW 2 PROGRAM

U. S. ARMY WOUNDED WARRIOR (AW 2) PROGRAM COL David S. Oeschger, AW 2 Director SGM Patrick S. Fatuesi, AW 2 Sergeant Major Prepared by: Ellwood Burdsall For: AW 2 Staff 01 Sep 2014 “The views, opinions and findings contained in this report are those of the authors(s) and should not be construed as an official Department of the Army position, policy or decision, unless so designated by other official documentation. ” V 1 031500 QSep 2014 1

U. S. Army Wounded Warrior (AW 2) Program COL David S. Oeschger, AW 2 Director SGM Patrick S. Fatuesi, AW 2 Sergeant Major “Building Paths to Independence” Introduction to the U. S. Army Wounded Warrior Program 2

Army Wounded Warrior (AW 2) Program On April 30, 2004, the Army introduced an initiative to enhance the care and support of severely wounded, ill and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families and their Caregivers. SSG Julio A. Larrea AW 2 COAD Soldier SSG Larrea, along with four other AW 2 Soldiers recovering at Walter Reed, mentored and visited with Boston Marathon bombing victims who sustained similar injuries last year. “at the end of the day wounded or not, we are just Americans. That’s all. ” This system of support guides them along the paths to regaining their independence; from the onset of their condition, through their eventual transition back to the force; or into the civilian community as a Veteran. 3

Army Wounded Warrior (AW 2) Program “Building Paths to Independence” SPC (ret. ) Ronny Wiley and his daughter Finding steady employment proved challenging, and his wife searched for a second job to hold the Family’s finances together. Wiley connected with the AW 2 and met Advocate Laura Arisohn and AW 2’s support and the resources they helped him access played an integral role in Wiley’s recovery. Five years after his first meeting with Arisohn, Wiley graduated with an associate degree in network administration from the University of Phoenix with a 3. 8 GPA. Arisohn also connected him with a local nonprofit organization that donated a mortgage-free home to the Wiley family. Most importantly, Wiley says Arisohn and AW 2 inspire him. He now works with other Veterans who need support in either transitioning back to the Army or to civilian life. “People see me and say ‘you are one of my heroes, you give me hope, ” says Wiley. “In reality that is what my AW 2 Advocate gives me. She gives me hope. ” 4

Vision Wounded Warriors and their Families/Caregivers are selfsufficient, contributing members of our communities; living and espousing the Warrior Ethos with the knowledge that the Army and the Nation remembers their sacrifice. Mission We assist and advocate for our severely wounded, ill and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families/Caregivers; support and advise during medical treatment, rehabilitation, and beyond to facilitate a Soldier’s return-to-duty or their transition to a civilian community as a Veteran. SPC(ret. ) Steven Escalera and his Daughter AW 2 Soldier "I am truly grateful for my advocate and the AW 2 program. My advocate had helped me with some of the toughest decisions and moves in my life…” 5

Command Relationships 6 AW 2 Director COL David S. Oeschger

To be considered an AW 2 Soldier/Veteran • Suffer from wounds, injuries or illness incurred in the line of duty after 10 September 2001 in support of Overseas Contingency Operations, and • Receive or are expected to receive at least a 30% rating from the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) for one of the conditions listed below: – Severe Loss of Vision / Blindness – Loss of Limb – Spinal Cord Injury – Severe Paralysis – Permanent disfigurement – Severe Hearing Loss / Deafness – Severe Burns – Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Fatal / Incurable Disease with limited life expectancy • • OR Receive a 30% disability rating for any other Combat Related Condition OR Receive a Combined 50% IDES rating for any other Combat or Combat Related Condition 7

AW 2 Soldiers/Veterans: Growth Over 12 Months Total: 21479 UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO As of 1 Sep 14 Year Population 2004 340 2005 909 2006 1476 2007 2489 2008 3814 2009 5892 2010 8042 2011 9762 2012 14838 2013 18826 21479 Increase of 2653 since 1 Jan 14 AW 2 Soldier-to-Advocate Ratio: 102: 1 2013 2014 *Data Source (s): AWCTS; AW 2 Db 8

Physical Condition Demographics 9 Total: 21479 As of 1 Sep 14 67% 20000 16000 12000 8000 4000 10% 2000 6% P D TS I TB Am e te u p 3% y Ps ity c ri at i ch 3% Ex tr em 3% er O th 2% is e as e is ys al r Pa 2% D 1% a br rte e V l/ a n i Sp 2% s es n d n / sio i V 1% s rn Bu in Bl *Data Source (s): AWCTS; AW 2 Db

Soldier/Veteran Status – 1 Sep 14 COAD/COAR/FIT 181 Severely wounded, injured and ill*** 10 WTU / Unit 1664 __ Complex Medical Needs / i. DES 19557** Veteran Population in our Communities Life Cycle Management Program (LCMP) LCMP Phase Total 1 (Active) 8343 2 (90 Day) 3154 3 (180 Day) 9578 *Incl: 77 Deceased ** Do not contact: 404 *** AW 2 WTU: 1176 *Data Source (s): AWCTS; AW 2 Db

AW 2 TEAM 11 Advocates assist wherever the Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families/Caregivers are located, as they progress along their path to independence. • AW 2 Advocates - 206 • • • Personalized support for Soldiers and their Families Local Resource Experts Benefits Advisers – navigating the maze Military Transition Specialists Education and Career Guides Life Coaches – Empowering Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families/Caregivers to make informed and relevant decisions • VA Integration Experts Ms Jeannie Jones Contract Regional Coordinator North Region Ms Roberta Berry and AW 2 COAD Soldier SSG Guilling AW 2 Careers • AW 2 Support Experts - 14 • • • Medical Eligibility (1 CIV) Human Resources (1 CIV) COAD (1 MIL) Finance (2 CIV/1 MIL) Transition/Employment/Career (1 CIV/2 MIL) Dept of Labor (1 CIV) Veteran Affairs Advisor (1 CIV) Operations and Automation (1 CIV) Training (2 Contract)

ADVOCATE DEMOGRAPHICS 12 • Wounded Warriors • Caregivers of Wounded Warriors • Former Military Ø Army Ø Navy Ø Air Force Ø Marines • Reserve Soldiers • Retired CSM/SGM • Licensed Social Workers • Master’s Degrees • No Previous Affiliation with Military Mr. James Anderson Advocate Fort Knox, KY

13 AW 2 Advocate Locations

14 Questions?

Army Wounded Warrior (AW 2) Program Building Paths to Independence 15