Injured Heroes, Broken Promises - Part 3

2015-04-07T10:55:52-04:00

I am disappointed and extremely displeased with our leaders that are not resolving these issues and taking care of our wounded warriors. It isn't enough that we all have to deal with the broken VA system? Now those that are in uniform are still dealing with harassment issues within the WTU's that are there to assist them through the transition and their healing.

When are DA and DOD leaders going to get off their tailbones and rectify these issues? When will the swift removal and prosecution on those "leaders" in the WTU's and those individuals responsible for these actions be held accountable? What will they do to ensure this doesn't occur and that all of our Soldiers in WTU's are treated with the utmost respect, dignity and care.

IMHO I can careless that all of those involved are reduced to PVT, serve Jail time and receive a Dishonorable discharge for their actions. No human being should be treated the way these warriors have been, but it is even worse when it is coming from fellow comrades entrusted to help with transition and healing our heroes. What exactly does WTCC teach these "leaders"? I'm sure there is nothing in that course about harassing our Soldiers.

Injured Heroes, Broken Promises: Soldiers are experiencing mistreatment and harassment by...

Complaints of Army harassment afflict transition units and persist despite promised remedies

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 7 at 2015 12:12 PM

2015-04-07T12:12:19-04:00

The treatment has gotten better, but is still not where it should be for our warriors that have already given so much in the defense of our country. Within the last 5 + years, there were multiple cases of Soldiers being dead in their barracks without the leadership knowing about it for several days. I truly believe we are better at keeping accountability of our personnel today than we were in days past. Change will take continued action at every level, within the organization as well as outside of these organizations!

I was approached by a SSG that served in Iraq with me, he informed me that members of his WTU were abusing their positions, making Soldiers drive them around in a government vehicle to go shopping, treating the government vehicle like it were his own and the Soldier as if he were a chauffeur. Wounded Soldiers were treated as if they were trying to get over on the system, they were marginalized and talked down to often and etc....I went to the WTU & WTB supporting these Soldiers, discussed the issues with the Company Commander & 1SG and ensured they knew I "had a mole" in the unit, that I would be keeping up to date on what was going on with the unit and that I knew the BN leadership very well and was affording them the opportunity to fix themselves instead of reporting it directly to the BN Leadership. My "mole" kept me informed (was never exposed) and identified there were drastic changes with the exception of the smoking in military vehicles, which I addressed and fixed!

To fix the problems will take the involvement of those within and outside the organization! If you see a problem, fix it!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 3:37 AM

2016-01-28T03:37:19-05:00

I have yet to be assigned to a wtu but I have already been through the IDES process and I have to say that it was a great change from my current unit. Although the way they are being recognized (Wtu) I have to say my current unit would definitely be worse then any wtu. From day one I was labeled as a "broken truck" and has been talked down to a lot by being called a "useless" soldier that's only benefit is their ability to do CQ. So I would risk the wtu staff over my current treatment. But in short, it's not just the wtu that needs to be corrected because I can garuntee you that others are being treated worse then those described above. Although in some cases they're probably treated better but all I can say if I unit is doing this without any one saying anything then I could only imagine what can be occurring at these wtu units.