The Wounded Warrior Mentor Program

The Wounded Warrior Mentor Program was organized initially to match volunteer mentors with Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed and, in some cases, with follow-on mentors after the soldiers or Marines leave Walter Reed.  The program was founded by several members of the West Point Class of 1958 when it became apparent that Wounded Warriors needed more individual attention than the Army could provide.

We operate at and near 4 facilities in the Northern Virginia/National Capital Area Multi-Service Military Medical geographical area (JTF CapMed):  1 ) Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) Bethesda, Maryland “aka “Walter Reed Bethesda” (WRB).; 2) Fort Belvoir Community Hospital (FBCH) and DeWitt Health Care Network (DeWitt HCN) at Fort Belvoir, VA; 3) Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center (KACC), Fort Meade, Maryland; and 4 with the United States Air Force’s 79th Medical Wing (MDW) at Andrews AFB, Maryland.

We have affiliates at 1) Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center (DDEAMC) Fort Gordon, Georgia through their “WWMP” the “Augusta Warrior Project” which we .help set up and 2) McDonald Army Health Center (MCAHC) at Fort Eustis, Virginia

Wounded Warriors of all Services needed to be oriented on a new profession and a new life, as well as being counseled on benefits, jobs, educational opportunities, and handling of finances.  After being released from military hospitals, when the Wounded Warriors leave the familiar environment of the hospital support system and their buddies, many need mentors to continue supporting them.  This program enjoys the full support of the hospital commanders and staff and the Wounded Warrior Transition brigade commander and his entire chain of command.  We also have available an entire support team to help us in almost every phase of our support to our Wounded Warriors.

WWMP Function Chart

WWMP Organization Chart  

Development of the Wounded Warrior Mentor Program 

As a result of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, many severely wounded soldiers and Marines are medically evacuated to Military medical facilities. While the military medical system has excelled in saving lives - the “save rate" exceeds 90%, unprecedented in modern warfare - the number of critically wounded soldiers also is unprecedented. As well as the trauma of enduring lost limbs, many soldiers suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBl).

While the dedicated staffs at the military facilities have excelled in medical treatment, they do not have the resources to provide one-on-one support to the combat wounded to help them make life decisions after recovery. Recognizing this shortfall, four members of the Class of 1958, led by Lee Miller, started an informal program in November 2004 to help Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed focus on life after the military. At any one time there are hundreds of wounded outpatients recovering at the military facilities, but only about 20% percent of those stay in the military. A significant number leave the service, transi­tion into the VA medical system, and then move into civilian life.

These posters will be displayed in the heavy traffic and display areas of the first and third floors of the Walter Reed Hospital indefinitely or until they have to be removed because of the BRAC.  They will also be displayed in the Soldiers Family Assistance Center, the Mologne House and the WW Transition Brigade Headquarters at Walter Reed.   Two posters also will be displayed at Bethesda Naval and Ft Belvoir.  

Click here for a larger image that is clearly readable.

Number of times this page has been accessed since counter was added on
28 Feb 09

Discount Contacts