Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany -- Marines from Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany gathered at the Base Theater for a brief about the Wounded Warrior Regiment May 15.
According to the website www.woundewarriorregiment.org, the WWR is program designed to ‘provide and facilitate assistance to wounded/injured/ill Marines and sailors attached to or in support of Marine units, and their family members throughout the phases of recovery.’
“General Conway said his second mission, after the War on Terrorism, was taking care of the wounded and he was serious about it,” said Sgt. Maj. Charles G. Blumenberg, sergeant major, Wounded Warrior Regiment, Quantico Va. “At the WWR, when you teach mission accomplishment and troop welfare, we’re dedicated to that.”
In April 2007, Conway’s vision was realized by the official establishment of the WWR. Headquartered in Quantico, Va., and with Wounded Warrior Battalions on both the East and West Coasts, the WWR is a unique organization spawned from a combination of the 2005 Marine for Life Ill/ Injured Support Section and the 2004 wounded warrior barracks located in Camp Lejeune, N.C.
“We want Marines to know the chain of command wants to take care of them. But, there’s one thing beyond that: if they are wounded, injured or ill, there is long-term care available to assist them. It’s one of the things the Marine Corps does for them and their families,” added Blumenberg.
WWR becomes involved in a Marine’s care before the Marine arrives in the United States, if they are wounded overseas, and ensures that proper medical and family coordination is in place. But support continues for Marines if they later separate from the service.
“When the Marine is injured in the fight, there is a Personal Casualty Report that is generated. We go back to PCR’s generated since 2001 and check on those Marines who are now off of active duty. We call them and say, ‘Hey, Marine, we know you’re off active duty, but how’s it going? What do you need from the Marine Corps?’ If they have problems that we can help with, we get involved and make sure they get the help they need, even though they’re not on active duty,” said Blumenberg.
Marines pride themselves on ‘taking care of their own,’ and the WWR, whose motto is “Still in the Fight,” takes it to the next level.
“This is an example of General Conway’s vision being put into action and to make that adage ‘The Marine Corps takes care of its own’ true,” said Col. C.N. Haliday, commanding officer, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga. “This briefing was good professional military education for all of us so we can understand how this program can provide assistance to those Marines and their families who need it.
“I believe in the buddy system and if a Marine finds one of their buddies is in some kind of distress, they can benefit from the WWR command where they can remain part of their unit, part of the Marine Corps, and not make them feel like they’re no longer in the Marine Corps,” Haliday explained.
The WWR battalions are located at Camp Lejeune, N. C. and Camp Pendleton Calif., but personnel at smaller bases such as MCLB Albany need to understand how the process works.
“Why is it important for Marines here in Albany to be aware of the WWR program?” said Sgt. Maj. Scott C. Mykoo, sergeant major, MCLB Albany, Ga. “Even though we are a small base, and don’t deploy as a whole, as leaders we need to have this knowledge in order to provide guidance and assistance to those in need. Also, we do have many Marines that deploy as individual augments. It’s important for the Marines here to understand the WWR program and how it operates. At any time anyone of them can be deployed and find themselves in a situation requiring assistance.”
One of the those in attendance at the WWR command brief, left it feeling better about what the Marine Corps is ready to do to help him and his family, should the need arise.
“WWR is totally, totally involved with troop welfare and the well-being of the Marine. It (WWR) takes it to the next level. For me and my family, with a daughter on the way, it makes me sleep better at night,” said Cpl. Matthew Maleski, warehouse clerk, Inventory Control, Critical Asset Rapid Distribution Facility, Marine Corps Forces Reserve, MCLB Albany.