President Barack H. Obama awards the Purple Heart to a Soldier.
Soldier/WT
Warriors in Transition (WT)
The Army is committed to providing the best possible care and support to all Warriors in Transition (WTs) and their Families so they may return to active duty or transition to civilian life as proud, productive Veterans. A WT is a Soldier who is assigned or attached to a Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) and whose primary mission is to heal and transition. Normally, WTs require at least six months of rehabilitative care and complex medical case management.
To complete the mission of healing and transition, the WT is responsible for attending all medical and non-medical appointments with professionals such as social workers, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, and for following the advice of the clinicians assigned to his/her case.
What WTs Can Expect Upon Entering the WTU
Each WT will have a unique, personal experience in the WTU, based on their medical condition and treatment requirements. Upon entering a WTU, the WT will in-process to the new unit through the Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC). This inprocessing includes:
- Clinical screenings from medical, behavioral, and other health professionals
- Administrative actions, such as receiving orders, ID cards, and meal cards
- Actions affecting the WT’s overall well-being, such as housing, finance, and visiting the Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC)
Comprehensive Transition Plan
While in-processing through the HHC, WTs will complete a Comprehensive Transition Plan (CTP) within approximately 30 days of arriving at the WTU. The CTP is a six-part systemized process for every WT that includes an individual plan that the WT builds for him/herself with the support of WTU cadre. By using the CTP, the WT and his/her Family will develop specific, personal goals to achieve at each stage of recovery and transition. This CTP will guide the WT's day-to-day activity for the rest of his/her time in the WTU.
Triad of Care
Each WT will benefit from a Triad of Care. These professionals work together to coordinate all aspects of the WT’s medical and non-medical care.
- Primary Care Manager is usually a physician who develops an integrated treatment plan for the WT, provides acute and ongoing care to address medical issues, collaborates with specialists on care needs, and evaluates the WT’s medical profile status
- Nurse Case Manager helps the WT regain health or improved functional capability, facilitates the development and implementation of a clinical plan with performance goals that support the CTP, ensures that the WT receives appropriate care related to all identified medical conditions, facilitates and coordinates medical appointments, helps identify challenges the WT is experiencing, and acts as a resource to link the WT to other systems
- Squad Leader is the first line supervisor for the WT and the WT’s link to the Chain of Command and facilitates the resolution of any administrative issues that arise. The squad leader serves as the WT’s guide through the WTU process and enforces military standards
Multidisciplinary Team: The Triad of Care is augmented by a multidisciplinary team of health care and transition specialists who work together to coordinate and optimize the care and transition of each individual WT. This team includes social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, AW2 Advocates, and many other professionals.
Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2)
The most severely wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers who meet specified eligibility requirements will simultaneously be assigned to the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2). AW2 Advocates are located at most military treatment facilities and VA medical centers to provide personalized support to each AW2 Soldier, Veteran, and his/her Family to foster long-term independence—even when the WT transitions to Veteran status.