The level of awareness of these professional development programs among wounded warriors themselves is on the upswing, as is understanding of how USACE can apply and leverage the talent latent in transitioning warfighters, Hibbs stated.

“We’ve had many recruiting events, primarily at Fort Knox and Fort Campbell [both in Kentucky]. It is still a learning experience for the Soldiers, and our managers are just now understanding what the programs are about. For the most part, people are receptive, and those who have accepted positions have been thrilled that they have this opportunity. Not everybody is enthused about it, but not everyone is able to go after the work at this point.”

OWF is the first professional transition program active wounded warriors can experience, and USACE’s Nashville District is applying it on a group scale. Most OWF internships are case by case, placing an individual here, an individual there.

Former Nashville District Commander Lt. Col. James A. DeLapp partnered with Fort Campbell, where district personnel initiated an active recruiting campaign, interviewing wounded warriors at the base’s WTU for OWF intern positions. Five soldiers were selected for internships and commenced work in different jobs in the district as a group in late May. With Fort Campbell being a 45-minute drive from USACE’s Nashville offices, bringing the interns in as a group made sense on several levels, Hibbs said.

Helping wounded warriors take some time away from the stresses of their recovery or make the jump to new careers in the civil or private sectors yields long-term benefits – for the transitioning service members themselves and for society at large. USACE will be there, offering warriors support and on-the-job training well into the future.

“Rather than waiting for people who were available for placement from the WTB, they actively recruited at Fort Campbell and cast it as a summer internship program. They looked for a group of people to match the positions for whom they could arrange van transportation back and forth every day. One of the advantages when you have a group like that is more publicity, calling attention to the program. I think it’s a great approach.”

All five are noncommissioned officers. One will take on a construction position, a second will learn contracting, a third will work in the small business office, and the remaining pair will intern in the district’s security office. The group will work full time for three months and, depending on their individual medical status, may find employment thereafter. One soldier in particular, who hails from Michigan, may potentially find an opening in Sault Ste. Marie, where USACE has a large lock and dam program at the Soo Locks.

“We don’t assume that everyone in the program will get civil service jobs,” Hibbs admitted, “but that’s the kind of thing we’re looking for.”

Helping wounded warriors take some time away from the stresses of their recovery or make the jump to new careers in the civil or private sectors yields long-term benefits – for the transitioning service members themselves and for society at large. USACE will be there, offering warriors support and on-the-job training well into the future.

“I think we’re in this for the long haul,” Hibbs said. “There’s a lot more the Corps can do. The need to help wounded warriors will be long term.”

 

Rides, Retreats, and Relaxation

Wounded warriors heal in a variety of ways. Medical and occupational therapies tend to be most effective when coupled with activities that take them outside the career and social environments that they experience day to day.

By making a variety of its facilities and platforms available to healing warriors and long-standing veterans, USACE strives to provide alternative experiences that offer a little timeout or time away.

USACE’s San Francisco District hosts periodic San Francisco Bay tours aboard its command vessel, the M/V John A.B. Dillard, Jr. Recently, the crew of the Dillard hosted a group of veterans and their families, including patients from the VA’s Community Living Center (CLC) in Martinez, Calif., a 120-bed facility that offers extended in-patient care to veterans with conditions from brain injuries to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Kixon Meyer, captain of the Dillard, stated, “It’s the least we can do for the service our veterans have given.”

The hour-long tours take wounded warriors by iconic Bay Area landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, culminating at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Once there, the group enjoys an afternoon at the ballpark. The relaxation, on the water and around the baseball diamond, has manifestly positive effects.

Darlyn Pearl, a recreation therapist at the VA CLC, explained that some of the warriors are dealing with recent amputations. The simple act of getting out on the water calms and relaxes them. “I think the water can be very therapeutic in this case,” she added.

The district has reached out to organizations including the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in Oakland. DAV Commander Mike Steinbaugh testified to the impression the tour makes on his veterans.

“I can tell you that going into McCovey Cove and walking into that stadium [AT&T Park] is something these guys will never forget.”

Wounded warriors certainly haven’t been forgotten at the USACE Tulsa District. On May 26, 2013, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the USACE-managed Skiatook Lake, where USACE has partnered with local authorities, a non-profit organization, and a marina to open a cottage specifically for use by wounded service members and veterans.

Water resources management and usage is a core USACE mission, so it’s no surprise that water figures in a variety of USACE efforts to reach out to wounded warriors. The water was central to a special “Take a Warrior Fishing” event hosted by the Sacramento District at Success Lake near Porterville, Calif. These fishing outings have become popular across the country, particularly in locations near WTUs.

The Honor Cottage is a 1,100-square-foot single-family retreat that rests upon an out-of-the-way hillside at CrossTimbers Marina overlooking the lake.

The retreat is named for the Folds of Honor Foundation, an Oklahoma nonprofit dedicated to helping wounded warriors and their families through the provision of scholarships and other assistance. Folds of Honor provided a $250,000 donation for the construction of the cottage. The restorative, relaxing, and healing power of water is a key element of the cottage.

“At the end of the day, when you’re recovering from a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress, this is a great place for recovery,” said retired Army Maj. Ed Pulido, senior vice president of the Folds of Honor Foundation. The cottage is a physical reminder to wounded warriors and their families that their country recognizes their sacrifice, supports them, and welcomes them home, Pulido added.

Robert Jackson, who lost his legs while serving in Afghanistan in 2003, cut the ribbon opening the cottage, with his family in attendance. Jackson reminded those assembled that the psychological health of veterans remains an issue, noting that 22 committed suicide that month alone.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Col. Michael Teague, Tulsa commander, noted, “The partnership the Corps has with [CrossTimbers Marina owner] Ron Howell and the town of Skiatook began when the Corps began to look for ways to expand recreation at our lakes.

Wounded veterans David Aguilera and Daniel Hernandez, each of whom lost his legs in the early 1970s, agreed that the outing is a great way to relax. Along with bass fishing, “we lean toward bowling,” Hernandez said, smiling broadly. “There’s something to be said for a sport where you can push a button for table service.”

“CrossTimbers came out of a public-private partnership and it has led to the ability for us to work together to get this first-of-a-kind cottage built at Skiatook for wounded warriors. The military believes that a fallen comrade is never left behind, and there are things we can do to help them, such as this cottage. There is no way the Corps would have been able to get this cottage built for our soldiers without the partnership with CrossTimbers and Folds of Honor, and their ability to do this.”

Water resources management and usage is a core USACE mission, so it’s no surprise that water figures in a variety of USACE efforts to reach out to wounded warriors. The water was central to a special “Take a Warrior Fishing” event hosted by the Sacramento District at Success Lake near Porterville, Calif. These fishing outings have become popular across the country, particularly in locations near WTUs.

Three-dozen veterans gathered at Success Lake in May 2013 to relax, exchange stories, and do some bass fishing, courtesy of USACE and numerous corporate sponsors. Sport fishermen from several regional bass fishing clubs provided their expertise and their ultra-modern bass boats for the enjoyment of the warriors and their families.

Wounded veterans David Aguilera and Daniel Hernandez, each of whom lost his legs in the early 1970s, agreed that the outing is a great way to relax. Along with bass fishing, “we lean toward bowling,” Hernandez said, smiling broadly. “There’s something to be said for a sport where you can push a button for table service.”

Whether interacting with wounded warriors in theater, bringing them into the USACE workforce through OWF internships, providing support for VA work-study programs, or just spending some quality time together on the water, every day USACE personnel reaffirm their support of uniformed service members who’ve been hurt. Aiding wounded warriors in transition to a new military specialty or back to civilian life and providing some time out along the way is a worthwhile 21st century USACE mission.

Sara Goodeyon contributed to this story.

This article first appeared in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Building Strong®, Serving the Nation and the Armed Forces 2013-2014 Edition.