Garita Warriors graduate from WARTAC

Photo By Spc. Anthony Martinez | Hector Roman, first sergeant of the 1st Mission Support Command gives remarks on behalf of the students to conclude the Warrior Training Advancement Course graduation ceremony at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, March 30.  

GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO

03.30.2017

Story by Spc. Anthony Martinez 

1st Mission Support Command

Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico –U.S. Army Reserve, Active Duty and National Guard Soldiers along with retired veterans, were recognized during a Warrior Training Advancement Course (WARTAC) graduation ceremony at the Community Club on Fort Buchanan, March 30. This 10-week course allows Soldiers to complete a national-level Veterans Benefits Administration training program while on active duty.

The Warrior Training Advancement Course (WARTAC) is a skill-bridge education and employment opportunity for Wounded Warriors and transitioning service members. Successful completion of this training program leads to an opportunity for service members to be interviewed and hired at one of Veterans Benefits Administration’s 56 Regional Offices around the country. This program provides participants with an opportunity to learn the skillset of a Veteran Service Representative.

Among the several “Garita Warrior” graduates is Hector L. Roman, first sergeant for the 1st Mission Support Command, Headquarters. “This is a significant accomplishment, I am so appreciative to have been able to participate in this program,” said Roman. “It’s been a long ten weeks and with all the effort we have invested in order to graduate, we should be selected in one of the regional offices as a Veterans Service Representative as we expect”.

The Veteran Service Representative explains benefit programs and entitlement criteria, conducts interviews, identifies issues, gathers relevant evidence, adjudicates claims and inputs data necessary to generate the award and notification letter to the Veteran, describing the decision and the reason for it. The Veteran Service Representative works in a cubicle-style office environment in Veteran Service Centers at Veterans Affairs and serves as the primary contact for the Veteran and his/ her representative concerning Veterans Affairs compensation claims.

Having a successful WARTAC program requires several dedicated individuals, which consist of a mall group of instructors. These instructors share the responsibility of running this program.

“It’s a great responsibility that’s entrusted in us, “ said Mr. Jose Lopez, Senior Veteran Service Representative and instructor of WARTAC. “We are responsible for taking Veterans and molding them to be Veteran Service Representatives. We as instructors make sure they get all the information they need to be successful. It’s a very rewarding duty for me”.

The Acting Under Secretary for Benefits, Mr. Thomas J. Murphy was the guest speaker for the graduation ceremony. “WARTAC gives us the opportunity to transition veterans out of military service and into the VA.,” said Murphy. “We train veterans that understand what a service member has gone through, what their needs are and then to be on this side allows them to continue serving in a different capacity. We train Veterans to Serve Veterans”.
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All 29 service members enrolled in Class 002-17, second class in 2017, successfully completed the training and participated in the graduation ceremony. Along with receiving their certificates of completion, they are guaranteed an interview at one the 56 Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Offices around the country.

• Date Taken: 03.30.2017
• Date Posted: 03.31.2017 09:33
• Story ID: 228732
• Location: GUAYNABO, PR