Has anybody been a Commander for a Wounded Warrior Transition Unit? How was your experience?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 00:39:36 -0400

I am considering going on an Active Duty Tour, and this is one of the available positions. Your answer and comments will help me make a decision. Thank you!

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Apr 14 at 2015 3:02 AM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 03:02:30 -0400

I look forward to serving as a WTB Chaplain beginning in two months

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 5:59 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 05:59:25 -0400

I'm not sure if he's still active on RallyPoint, but MAJ Private RallyPoint Member was a WTU commander at FT Knox.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 9:28 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 09:28:24 -0400

Mixed emotions, years ago they were full of Soldiers who had never seen combat, I had a few reservists who departed mob station and spent two years there playing xbox, chaptered them out for height weight after their return. Then you have plenty of great Soldiers who are committed to serving their country that need the assistance. Best answer I can come up with is to be prepared to spend most of your time with the malingerers and shammers and occasionally provide good assistance to those that really need it. (But same is true with any command)

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Apr 14 at 2015 11:38 AM

MAJ David Vermillion — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:38:59 -0400

I can't help you with any knowledge about "Wounded Warrior", but from the positive side I think you will have a rewarding experience. Go for it.

Response by SSG Michael O'Malley made Apr 14 at 2015 11:41 AM

SSG Michael O'Malley — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:41:20 -0400

Not an officer but I did serve as a WTU Clinic NCOIC at ft Bragg in 2010 and as a wounded warrior in 2013. I'm sure times have changed since then but I have high respect for those that have volunteered to serve in this mission. My duty was not like any other since the WT's main mission is to heal and not to train. My main goal was just to simply mentor and assist in whatever transition the WT was going to do.

Response by LTC Gail Daras made Apr 15 at 2015 12:46 PM

LTC Gail Daras — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 12:46:12 -0400

There was a Warrior Battalion near my last assignment at Fort Gordon because Gordon has a great hospital. This would be a unique assignment for anyone because like someone else said you are not there for training but to help these individuals as they go through medical boards or recover and possibly return to a regular unit again. I met a few individuals who were assigned to the unit at my retirement meetings. I felt like they needed more mentoring as they were not emotionally ready for leaving the Army. I think it would be a great assignment especially if you have an interest in healthcare jobs in the future.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2015 12:45 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 00:45:41 -0400

The one thing you will need to remember, there will be slackers, there will be those that are seen as slackers but aren't. Treat each soldiers as an individual. No one knows what is really happening with them. Don't make excuses for them nor allow them to make excuses. You will do just fine, I would take the command.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 2:03 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 14:03:20 -0400

Never commanded one, but here's my impression. Like nearly everything else in life, you'll have to take the good with the bad. You'll get the honor and privilege of supporting some of our nation's finest heroes as they recover and transition to the next stage in their lives. And you'll get to deal with some of the tiny heated who never had any intent on dedicating themselves to the profession and gave nothing back to the military while taking in as many benefits as they could. And all sorts that fall in the middle. No assignment has ups without downs. But if you're a good leader, don't shy from the opportunity to support some of our finest who deserve the best leadership just because there are some duds mixed in there.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 5 at 2015 7:22 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 05 May 2015 19:22:53 -0400

I can give you the perspective of a soldier going through the Ft Riley WTU. I can count 7 staffers who were rude, degrading, and uncompassionate. I will always have this bitter feeling inside when I think of that organization. They bullied their soldiers. Nothing against the NG, but many of the staffers were NG whose idea of leadership was to coerce and yell at people.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 9:06 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 21:06:03 -0400

Yes. For the past 26 months I've commanded the Ft. Carson WTB. It has been the best assignment I've had in my 28 years of service. I do not look forward to leaving this job next week.