WTU Issues

[Warrior644]

whats the benefits of going to a WTU over staying in your unit while going though a MEB for someone with serve PTSD?

Indeed, the five most common diagnoses for complex medical issues within the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) are PTSD, Anxiety, TBI, Depression and Substance Abuse while the average length of stay is approximately 1 year.

To that extent, the WTU provides critical support to military service members receiving treatment for complex medical issues or rehabilitative care. The WTU works to "promote their timely return to the force or transition to civilian life."

Moreover, Nurse Case Managers, Social Workers, and Behavioral Health Provides schedule patient's appointments albeit there are walk-in services available too.

As such, the admission qualifications for the WTU are as follows:

1. Active Duty Reserve/National Guard who qualifies for MRP orders as prescribed in 10 USC 12301 and the WT consolidated guidance.
2. Ambulatory Warriors who arrive on military medical evacuation assets to include commercial aircraft.
3. Inpatient Warriors arriving on military medical evacuation assets.
4. Nondeployed CONUS or OCONUS Warriors who qualify for transfer from their parent unit to a WTU.

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!

 

[Busyarmymom]

There are some very good reasons to go to the WTU (medical appts are quicker), but, be VERY prepared to be treated as a child, no matter what rank you are. It is very hard, mentally, to have that many people in "your business" and not get angry at stupidity. BUT, on the flip side of that, you get time to heal, go to school (if you aren't raging angry like I am), and basically do your paperwork for retirement.

OH OH OH!! The number one reason to go to a WTU, is, you are able to apply for Social Security while on active duty. But, in a regular unit you can't. So, that is my big reason right there.

 

[TSgt Twitch]

There are some very good reasons to go to the WTU (medical appts are quicker), but, be VERY prepared to be treated as a child, no matter what rank you are. It is very hard, mentally, to have that many people in "your business" and not get angry at stupidity. BUT, on the flip side of that, you get time to heal, go to school (if you aren't raging angry like I am), and basically do your paperwork for retirement.

OH OH OH!! The number one reason to go to a WTU, is, you are able to apply for Social Security while on active duty. But, in a regular unit you can't. So, that is my big reason right there.

You can apply for SSDI at any point in life, the "wounded warrior" aspect applies as long as you are in the MEB process. Almost every AF member on here would be ineligible to apply if being assigned to a WTU was a requirement. ( the only AF WTU's are when at a joint base with Army that happens to have one). Maybe lackland has its own by now, I am unsure. I did just find out a few weeks ago that the AF does have a formal wounded warrior program, of which I should of been put into 2.25 years ago, but when your PCM is MEB'd for narcolepsy not much you can do. (it took her 6+ months from time she was forced to start my MEB process to actually get the case finished, leaving a 6 month gap in my medical records the peblo's had pulled and my first meeting)

 

[Combat Eng]

There are some very good reasons to go to the WTU (medical appts are quicker), but, be VERY prepared to be treated as a child, no matter what rank you are. It is very hard, mentally, to have that many people in "your business" and not get angry at stupidity. BUT, on the flip side of that, you get time to heal, go to school (if you aren't raging angry like I am), and basically do your paperwork for retirement.

OH OH OH!! The number one reason to go to a WTU, is, you are able to apply for Social Security while on active duty. But, in a regular unit you can't. So, that is my big reason right there.

Seems like you are having a bad experience at the WTU where your located but all are not the way your portraying them!!

Yes rank really didn't matter but from my eyes nobody was treated like a child, only people needing to be in one business is your care team, and they only know as much as you tell them.

 

[Busyarmymom]

Seems like you are having a bad experience at the WTU where your located but all are not the way your portraying them!!

Yes rank really didn't matter but from my eyes nobody was treated like a child, only people needing to be in one business is your care team, and they only know as much as you tell them.

I am really glad you had a positive experience. Many of us have not and many are being abused daily. Again, I salute whomever treated you with dignity, you were one of the lucky few.

 

[Combat Eng]

I am really glad you had a positive experience. Many of us have not and many are being abused daily. Again, I salute whomever treated you with dignity, you were one of the lucky few.

Are you speaking for WTU as a whole or WTU where your located?

Sorry you had bad experiences and glad your sharing them but just use you location as your platform and not use WTU locations as a whole

 

[Busyarmymom]

Are you speaking for WTU as a whole or WTU where your located?

Sorry you had bad experiences and glad your sharing them but just use you location as your platform and not use WTU locations as a whole

I guess it would depend on what you are referring to. If you are referring to "my list" of things, then Yes, all of the WTUs. If you are referring to my bad experience, then again, yes, I would have to refer to the "whole". I spent some time in San Antonio, and the Soldiers were coming from everywhere. They were reporting the exact same issues everyone else was having. They were made to feel like "OH, you are the only one" ... and they had no place to go. Interesting enough, I have used the same statement from other cadre and other "WTU Leaders". Speak for yourself, not every place is the same.

I never said it was, but, too many people are having issues, and they have no place to go to get answers. Especially when the cadre keep telling them to keep their experiences based on their own experiences, they then feel alone, and have no where to turn, and know what to do.

As bad as things are in most places, I respectfully ask you the same questions, Are you basing your own experience on the whole, or only on your own experience? Because, yes, things do get bad, and warriors need help. That is why I made the list. If you don't need it, and your experience was perfect, then you don't need to use it. Great! I am happy the WTU treated at least one person with respect, but I bet you will find that is NOT the average experience. BTW-- Were you a cadre before you were a warrior? Your questions sound exactly how the cadre are taught to answer questions in their two week school.

 

[ranger2992]

I am really glad you had a positive experience. Many of us have not and many are being abused daily. Again, I salute whomever treated you with dignity, you were one of the lucky few.

Most soldier I have spoke to had a positive experience in the WTU. Maybe there is an issue at yours and they are not following guidance. Just like any other Army unit, there are some that do things as they see fit, and create very poor work environments. If this is the case, it is important you call Army wounded warrior IG, and report the problem.

As far as rank, no it does not matter. I went through the WTU at Fort Drum, and they were excellent. If you were of the rank of E-5 or above, you were initially trusted to do the right thing. If you failed to do so, then you were managed accordingly. I saw many sergeants doing their own thing, and making all of their appointments, and mandatory classes, who never went to formation, or had an issue with Cadre. I also saw Captains, and even a Colonel who had to do formation twice a day because they did not follow the rules, and do the right thing. Remember, your mission in the WTU is either to get healthy and return to duty, or process through medical to get out. Your duty is to go to appointments focused on your health, or processing out.

As far as E4 and below, it is now different than any other line unit. You are part of a group that the Army expects to be led. If somebody is an E4 and they have five years in the Army, I would say you made the choice to be treated as a soldier that needs to be led, and the WTU is no different.

Joe

 

[Busyarmymom]

Most soldier I have spoke to had a positive experience in the WTU. Maybe there is an issue at yours and they are not following guidance. Just like any other Army unit, there are some that do things as they see fit, and create very poor work environments. If this is the case, it is important you call Army wounded warrior IG, and report the problem.

As far as rank, no it does not matter. I went through the WTU at Fort Drum, and they were excellent. If you were of the rank of E-5 or above, you were initially trusted to do the right thing. If you failed to do so, then you were managed accordingly. I saw many sergeants doing their own thing, and making all of their appointments, and mandatory classes, who never went to formation, or had an issue with Cadre. I also saw Captains, and even a Colonel who had to do formation twice a day because they did not follow the rules, and do the right thing. Remember, your mission in the WTU is either to get healthy and return to duty, or process through medical to get out. Your duty is to go to appointments focused on your health, or processing out.

As far as E4 and below, it is now different than any other line unit. You are part of a group that the Army expects to be led. If somebody is an E4 and they have five years in the Army, I would say you made the choice to be treated as a soldier that needs to be led, and the WTU is no different.

Joe

Again, I am so happy you were treated with dignity. Not every is. I am very happy for you. Obviously, you are already out, and you don't need the information I am sharing for those who have a hard time. So, thank you for your input, and again, I am happy for you. You were LUCKY. Count your lucky stars, and send blessings up to whomever you believe in. It is a blessing when you are treated with respect and dignity.

 

[Busyarmymom]

Just so you know, obviously you did not see the whole story for FT DRUM. They are one of the worst by DOD standards in 2012.


http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20120228/NEWS03/702289863

 

[Busyarmymom]

In late 2011, FT Drum was investigated for abuses to the WTU Warriors, and the DOD IG had to step in and help. If you were there, please, count your lucky stars, but not everyone was so lucky.

http://www.dodig.mil/spo/Reports/DRUM_508_Compliance_Reduced.pdf

 

[ranger2992]

Again, I am so happy you were treated with dignity. Not every is. I am very happy for you. Obviously, you are already out, and you don't need the information I am sharing for those who have a hard time. So, thank you for your input, and again, I am happy for you. You were LUCKY. Count your lucky stars, and send blessings up to whomever you believe in. It is a blessing when you are treated with respect and dignity.

My post was not so much about how I was treated, as it was providing you with a solution to the problem you are having. Complaining about something, without trying to fix something is a waste of time.

As a Mod on here, I have the opportunity to speak to hundreds of service members, and read twice as many threads. Your comments don't bear the truth. They account for your personal experience, and maybe others at your WTU. What have you done about it? When I see a problem I try and figure out how to fix it, and write or talk to the appropriate people who can make things better.

Finally, your "list" is a very generic list of complaints that are echoed across almost every unit in the service. "I get treated like a kid", and so forth. The one piece of advice that you presented that dealt directly with wounded warriors was wrong. SSDI preference is available to ALL service members regardless of unit affiliation. The reason it is used more in the WTU is because they explain the benefit, whereas line units don't have a clue about it.

Joe

 

[ranger2992]

In late 2011, FT Drum was investigated for abuses to the WTU Warriors, and the DOD IG had to step in and help. If you were there, please, count your lucky stars, but not everyone was so lucky.

http://www.dodig.mil/spo/Reports/DRUM_508_Compliance_Reduced.pdf

That DOD IG was from two commands before the 2011 IG report. I was there during it, and spoke to IG investigators about my experience, as did all the other soldiers there. It was a command issue, that was addressed, and fixed. Just like I said in my original post, soldiers reported their problems to the IG and got action initiated.

I am good friends with the officer who travels the world and does these investigations and inspections. He has been doing this for a long time, and he truly cares about wounded warrior issues, and reports back to leadership, and recommends how to fix the problems.

 

[Combat Eng]

I guess it would depend on what you are referring to. If you are referring to "my list" of things, then Yes, all of the WTUs. If you are referring to my bad experience, then again, yes, I would have to refer to the "whole". I spent some time in San Antonio, and the Soldiers were coming from everywhere. They were reporting the exact same issues everyone else was having. They were made to feel like "OH, you are the only one" ... and they had no place to go. Interesting enough, I have used the same statement from other cadre and other "WTU Leaders". Speak for yourself, not every place is the same.

I never said it was, but, too many people are having issues, and they have no place to go to get answers. Especially when the cadre keep telling them to keep their experiences based on their own experiences, they then feel alone, and have no where to turn, and know what to do.

As bad as things are in most places, I respectfully ask you the same questions, Are you basing your own experience on the whole, or only on your own experience? Because, yes, things do get bad, and warriors need help. That is why I made the list. If you don't need it, and your experience was perfect, then you don't need to use it. Great! I am happy the WTU treated at least one person with respect, but I bet you will find that is NOT the average experience. BTW-- Were you a cadre before you were a warrior? Your questions sound exactly how the cadre are taught to answer questions in their two week school.

Now your assuming! no i was not a cadre, I was treated very well and can say the same for the majority of the fellow soldiers i experienced WTU with, what i will say is that the only soldiers i could get of sense of having the most issues with WTU is the ones who been there for years and its safe to say some of those issues they experience are brought upon by there own actions.

What i was referring to is that your basing your opinion off your WTU location but come off like you are speaking for every WTU location, once again I'm sorry for for situation or any other soldier situation at YOUR location but don't speak for them all.

 

[Busyarmymom]

To be fair, you have no idea what I have done. Yes, I have "complained" as you call it, but I have also filed many reports to every level, including the IG.

And, as for the list, I was referring to a different thread where I made a lists of good ideas for new Soldiers.

I am very glad you are very good friends with an IQ officer, who tries to fix things. Hopefully he will be the one who comes to where I am.

SSDI will not be approved as quickly in a regular line unit, unless the Soldier is NO longer doing their job. In the WTU, the wounded warrior can receive a letter from their SQD LDR which states they are no longer participating in Substantial Gainful Employment (if I have those words backwards, I apologize). Yes, anyone, anywhere, can apply for SSDI in any unit, but being in a WTU gives a person extra protection to have the SSDI approved faster.

 

[Walker]

Hey super moderator, I believe she is just expressing an opinion for people to view and decide for themselves. Your spoken words are so close to the same words that problematic chains of commands use. There are some good people out there to help but there are many bad also. I used to put this snazzy slogan on my emails "anyone can identify a problem, the real genius is finding the solution." Also, you saying that you are good friends with this inspector does not improve your credibility but hinders it. This person may be a great person but this whole forum has been created because the system is broke, right?

 

[Busyarmymom]

Now your assuming! no i was not a cadre, I was treated very well and can say the same for the majority of the fellow soldiers i experienced WTU with, what i will say is that the only soldiers i could get of sense of having the most issues with WTU is the ones who been there for years and its safe to say some of those issues they experience are brought upon by there own actions.

What i was referring to is that your basing your opinion off your WTU location but come off like you are speaking for every WTU location, once again I'm sorry for for situation or any other soldier situation at YOUR location but don't speak for them all.

You are not going to bring me into your argument. I only asked you the same questions you asked me. They don't feel so good do they? As for your comment of "the only soldiers i could get of sense of having the most issues with WTU is the ones who been there for years and its safe to say some of those issues they experience are brought upon by there own actions." -- honestly, the most Soldiers whom I see having a perfect time, are suck ups who don't do anything for anyone, but themselves. -- See, doesn't feel too good does it? I never said you were cadre, I asked "if you were cadre, because you sound like a former cadre" It was a simple question, just like you asked me. Please, don't generalize you opinion based on all sections. BTW-- I am very good friends with two TV super stars, and one General who have heard my complaints, and are working to fix them. They care also. -- but, that doesn't mean there are not other Soldiers out there who think they are suffering alone. They need to know they are not crazy, and their bad situations are more common then the leadership wants them to believe.

 

[Combat Eng]

You are not going to bring me into your argument. I only asked you the same questions you asked me. They don't feel so good do they? As for your comment of "the only soldiers i could get of sense of having the most issues with WTU is the ones who been there for years and its safe to say some of those issues they experience are brought upon by there own actions." -- honestly, the most Soldiers whom I see having a perfect time, are suck ups who don't do anything for anyone, but themselves. -- See, doesn't feel too good does it? I never said you were cadre, I asked "if you were cadre, because you sound like a former cadre" It was a simple question, just like you asked me. Please, don't generalize you opinion based on all sections. BTW-- I am very good friends with two TV super stars, and one General who have heard my complaints, and are working to fix them. They care also. -- but, that doesn't mean there are not other Soldiers out there who think they are suffering alone. They need to know they are not crazy, and their bad situations are more common then the leadership wants them to believe.

You sound VERY bitter and once again i am sorry for what you have been through in WTU!

I answered you directly so i don't understand when you say "doesn't feel good don't"

Also if your referring to me as a suck up, you should be careful about your assumptions, just because someone isn't bitter and full of bad situations doesn't make them a suck up. If i didn't have and issues i simply didn't have any issues.

 

[Combat Eng]

And I'm not on here to bash you or saying not voice your opinion.

What I am saying is Don't try to speak for all WTU locations when you voice your struggles because it comes off as if what you are going through or have went through is how it is every where. Everyones experience is different, and ones similar to yours isn't a MAJORITY.

At the end of the day WE ARE ALL GROWN and WE ARE SOLDIERS and sometimes its best to be proactive and better you own situation instead of complaining to look for someone else to better it for you

 

[Busyarmymom]

You sound VERY bitter and once again i am sorry for what you have been through in WTU!

I answered you directly so i don't understand when you say "doesn't feel good don't"

Also if your referring to me as a suck up, you should be careful about your assumptions, just because someone isn't bitter and full of bad situations doesn't make them a suck up. If i didn't have and issues i simply didn't have any issues.

Exactly my point. I applaud you for making my point. I am very sure you are not a suck up, as I am very sure I did not create my own issues in the WTU.

Again, I am going to assume, when you wrote "You should be very careful about your assumptions" is because you are a very angry person, who can't seem to answer the same questions with the degree of "non bitterness" as I answered yours. I will not take that as a threat, since you are angry, and are probably just showing you do have anger that you have not expressed.

I am very glad you have a great time in the WTU,