Wounded Warrior Changes Leadership, Maintains Gold Standard of Care

Photo By Lance Cpl. Paige Verry | U.S. Marines, friends, and family attend the Wounded Warrior Regiment change of command ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, June 2, 2021. Col. Bret M. Hyla assumed command from Col. Richard H. Pitchford, who has commanded the unit since January 2020. The WWR provides leadership and ensures compliance with laws and Department of Defense regulations related to the support, recovery, and non-medical care of combat and non-combat wounded, ill, and injured Marines, Sailors attached to Marine units, and their family members in order to maximize their recovery as they return to duty or transition to civilian life. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Paige M. Verry) *Masks are required in the National Museum of the Marine Corps, but ceremony participants were permitted to remove their masks while speaking.  

TRIANGLE, VA, UNITED STATES

06.02.2021

Story by Capt. Danielle Phillips 

Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment

TRIANGLE, Va. – U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Bret M. Hyla assumed his duties as the commanding officer of the Wounded Warrior Regiment during a change of command ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, June 2, 2021. Hyla received the headquarters' organizational colors from Col. Richard H. Pitchford, who has commanded the unit since January 2020.

Hyla, a native of Niagara Falls, New York, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1989 and received his commission after graduating from Texas A&M University in 1997. Hyla comes to the Regiment after his most recent assignment as the Assistant Chief of Staff G-6 for the II Marine Expeditionary Force at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

The scope of capabilities provided by the Wounded Warrior Regiment, Battalions, and detachments initially surprised him.

“I didn’t realize the myriad of support provided to Marines who are not attached to the Regiment,” Hyla said. “The Wounded Warrior elements provide countless resources for the entire Marine Corps—whether you’re active duty, a reservist, or a veteran.”

Hyla is excited to join the Wounded Warrior staff and continue the work started by Col Pitchford to educate the force on what the unit provides to the Corps. His command philosophy emphasizes the need to stay in the fight, echoing the Wounded Warrior Regiment’s motto ‘Etiam in Pugna.’

“We are in the fight, day in and day out, with the recovering service members and their families to maximize their healing and help define their best future. I am honored to join this unit,” Hyla said.

Pitchford could not agree more about the value of the Wounded Warrior mission. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1989. After his six-year enlistment, he graduated from the Virginia Military Institute with his commission in 1996.

During his tour with wounded warrior, Pitchford diligently worked to marry the fundamental capabilities of the unit with the requirements of tomorrow’s Marine Corps.

“The Regiment always needs to be ready for the next fight, where we will see a large number of combat-wounded, ill and injured. Today, however, we need to be equipped and prepared to care for the population of Marines that needs us,” Pitchford explained. “Most of our population are non-combat wounded, ill and injured. We are seeing fewer and fewer combat wounded and taking on more cancer, mental health, vehicular injuries, and orthopedic cases.”

Over the last 18-months, he tirelessly capitalized on opportunities that allowed leaders to learn about WWR, utilize the unit’s skilled staff and facilities, and effect the processes and policies in place for recovering service members. Pitchford, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, is departing the WWR to assume command of the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment in Yorktown, Virginia.

“It’s been a privilege to serve here and it’s a sacred mission,” said Pitchford. “I didn’t come into this unit with specific goals besides learning the important aspects of this unit and how the command functions to maintain a gold standard of warrior recovery care. I’m beyond proud of the staff, recovering service members, and support networks that make these recovery journeys a success.”

• Date Taken: 06.02.2021
• Date Posted: 06.02.2021 18:28
• Story ID: 397984
• Location: TRIANGLE, VA, US
• Hometown: COLLEGE STATION, TX, US
• Hometown: HAMPTON ROADS PT, VA, US
• Hometown: JACKSONVILLE, NC, US
• Hometown: NIAGARA FALLS, NY, US
• Hometown: NORFOLK, VA, US
• Hometown: OCEANSIDE, CA, US
• Hometown: QUANTICO, VA, US