Military observes Warrior Care Month

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Houx | Maj. Ogo Ezeokeke, a provider at the Camp Atterbury Troop Medical Clinic, talks with Spc. John Crosby, a public affairs specialist for the 205th Infantry Brigade at Camp Atterbury, about physical therapy to repair a back injury. The TMC provides care for mobilzing and demobilizing service members, and service members stationed at Camp Atterbury.  

CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, UNITED STATES

12.03.2008

Story by Spc. Elizabeth Houx 

Camp Atterbury Indiana

By Spc. Elizabeth Gorenc
Camp Atterbury Public Affairs

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. – November is often associated with the seasons changing from moderate temperatures and brilliant-colored leaves to piercing cold and snow. It is also a time of celebrating veterans and a time of giving thanks with friends and family.

But for every branch of the military, November is Warrior Care Month - a time of increasing awareness and focusing attention on regeneration, rehabilitation and reintegration of service members who are wounded, ill or injured.

With the homecoming of the Indiana National Guard's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team comes the anticipation of reuniting with friends and loved ones and the reality of returning to life as they knew it. While returning to regular duty or civilian jobs can be exciting for some service members, others face a more complex transition because of sickness or injuries sustained during deployment.

To prevent complications during this transition to pre-deployment life, Soldiers who return from deployment, or demobilize, at Camp Atterbury receive assistance from Camp Atterbury personnel. The staff here works together to ensure troops have the proper care needed to heal and to attend and maintain medical appointments.

While demobilizing, troops meet with medical providers and review medical conditions, issues and history. If anything needs attention, the service member then visits Camp Atterbury's Troop Medical Clinic to be referred to a specialist for further medical care.

Maj. Tim Funk, officer in charge of the TMC, said that everyone works together within the continuum of care for service members, from documenting minor issues to working with the local community to organize appointments and care.

"We do everything we can to either fix [service members] up before they go home or educate them on resources that they have once they get home," said Funk.

Sgt. 1st Class Mark Harmon, a dining facility manager for the 113th Support Battalion who deployed with the 76th BCT, said that as a team, people at Camp Atterbury have communicated effectively and ensured his health needs were taken care of.

"The case worker referred me to a doctor and set up the appointment and transportation," he said. "After I came back [to Camp Atterbury] with the diagnosis they wrote out a permanent profile [physical limitations form] based on the information and past profiles to make things easier for me."
Harmon said that along with providing assistance in healing his knee injury, Camp Atterbury personnel also provided options and clarity for the process before any actions were taken.

"They told me that I could get help right away here or after I cleared from demobilization," he said. "They also said that they would provide transportation for me to my appointments after I leave here if I desired."

"This has been one of the better processes in my entire career," said Harmon. "I have been very impressed with it so far."

1st Lt. Elizabeth Brown, commander of Camp Atterbury's medical Holding Company where Soldiers receive help regarding medical care, said if a service member requires more extensive care, then the Soldier would be sent to Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Knox, Ky.

The Warrior Transition Unit is a transition assistance unit located on various installations with the mission of overseeing the health, welfare, and morale of troops receiving medical attention for serious injuries, surgeries or long-term care.

"On the medical side, one of the most important aspects is for us to have a great relationship with Fort Knox," said Brown. "We couldn't get the care that some of these Soldiers need without them and vice versa."

Brown said that the holding company at Camp Atterbury and WTU at Fort Knox affords service members the opportunity to make sure medical needs are met.

Along with providing options for post-deployment medical care, personnel at Camp Atterbury extend their care for troops past the medical realm by providing options for post-deployment employment. Service members have the opportunity to return to their pre-deployment civilian jobs, find a new job with the assistance of the military, or work within the Operation Warrior Trainer program to guide other service members through mobilization and demobilization at Camp Atterbury.

• Date Taken: 12.03.2008
• Date Posted: 12.03.2008 08:17
• Story ID: 27116
• Location: CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, US