Are WTUs getting better?

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Sat, 14 May 2016 15:13:46 -0400

I don't see WTUs in the news, therefore, I assume they are better. I am still bitter with how I was treated at the Ft Riley WTU and totally changed how I felt about the dynamics of serving in the Army.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made May 14 at 2016 4:30 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 14 May 2016 16:30:52 -0400

CPT Joseph K Murdock I assume their getting better and bigger. I know when I was at Fort Hood, TX they had a battalion WTU and treated their Soldiers with dignity and respect for the most part.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2016 4:36 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 May 2016 16:36:33 -0400

Help the old guy. What is a WTU?

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made May 14 at 2016 8:29 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sat, 14 May 2016 20:29:20 -0400

That may be the case in some places. At least here in Alaska, the Army is looking at getting rid of the WTU. We had one of the highers Return to Duty rates and many unique programs for our Soldiers in Transition.

Response by SSG Wayne Wood made May 17 at 2016 12:54 PM

SSG Wayne Wood — Tue, 17 May 2016 12:54:14 -0400

I hate to sound like an old goat here, but we didn't have WTU's or anything like that until recently. One day you're a soldier and the next you're on your own.

I think the concept is a great step forward. That is not saying there might not be room for improvement; even the best system will have flaws and only be as strong as its people. There are jerks everywhere. It seems to me from what I'm reading in the "Army Times" at least the Army is trying to identify the bad eggs and do something about them. That's a big step forward. I just hope we don't forget there is a fine line between being mean and just tough.

My suggestion is if you had a bad experience at a WTU is to take it with a grain of salt; if after taking a deep breath you feel you were truly treated poorly you could always write a reasoned letter to someone in the chain of command expressing your concerns. The only way a bad situation can be improved is if someone with authority knows the problem. It may not help you, but maybe it will help the next troops coming through. And it might make you feel better.

Response by SGT Tim Fridley made May 17 at 2016 8:25 PM

SGT Tim Fridley — Tue, 17 May 2016 20:25:28 -0400

Never dealt with the WTU at FT. Riley but know a couple of KSARNG NCOs that were assigned there from what they told me they were none to pleased by how it was run either

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2016 7:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 May 2016 19:47:47 -0400

Do you think that VA can do better with their prosthetic devices, as compared to the civilian sector.

Response by MSG Don Burt made May 20 at 2016 6:08 PM

MSG Don Burt — Fri, 20 May 2016 18:08:11 -0400

I have no experience with the WTU's and I thank God for that, but for those individuals that are there and have been there for six months will probably be forwarded to extended support areas
if there is a need to....otherwise if the treatment isn't up to par, then they need to go thru the chain of command for improving those particular units and if that doesn't do a thing, then contact your Congressional person for assistance...they are paid by you, so ask for help/assistance. I would hate to have a bad outlook for my Military career based on a past experience.