(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) led
colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of the Army John McHugh raising
questions about the Army Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) and their efforts to
engage and empower soldiers following a media report questioning the quality of
care at WTUs. The letter seeks answers to questions regarding the status of WTU
programs and how officials plan to improve aspects of the program that have
been criticized in the article.
The WTU was created in 2007 after the poor care and
conditions for wounded soldiers at the Walter Reed Amy Medical Center were
brought to light. However, on April 24th, the New York Times reported
that several soldiers were unsatisfied with the care they have received at the
WTUs. The soldiers cited overmedication, inactivity, and harsh treatment from
superiors during their time at the WTUs, leading them to feel worse than they
did before seeking treatment.
“Specifically, we are concerned about the consistency
of services offered at all WTUs. Recognizing each soldier is unique, how does
the Wounded Warrior program provide standard engagement and vocational
opportunities to soldiers throughout the nation?” the Senators wrote.
“What is the status of implementing the comprehensive transition plan? What is
the status of Operation Warfighter? Are there other similar national programs?
Are you re-evaluating your medication management and engagement strategies
following the New York Times article?”
The full list of signers appears below:
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD)
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA
Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC)
Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD)
Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
The full text of the letter appears below:
The
Honorable John McHugh
Secretary
of the Army
101 Army
Pentagon
Washington
20310-0101
Dear
Secretary McHugh:
We
write to inquire about the recently reported issues with the quality of care
and services provided to wounded servicemembers at Army Warrior Transition
Units (WTUs) and request appropriate officials brief us on the current status
of the WTUs and their efforts to engage and empower soldiers. News
reports stating our soldiers are feeling isolation, neglect or harsh
indifference during their recovery and transition directly conflicts with the
positive feedback we have received.
As
you know, WTUs were established in the wake of the scandal surrounding care and
conditions for wounded warriors at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
WTUs provide targeted care and a sense of purpose for servicemembers as they
transition back to active duty or to veteran status. The time spent at a WTU
represents a meaningful, gainful transition which prepares the servicemember to
succeed in the civilian world or readjust to active military service.
Specifically,
we are concerned about the consistency of services offered at all WTUs.
Recognizing each soldier is unique, how does the Wounded Warrior program
provide standard engagement and vocational opportunities to soldiers throughout
the nation? What is the status of implementing the comprehensive transition
plan? What is the status of Operation Warfighter? Are there other similar
national programs? Are you re-evaluating your medication management and
engagement strategies following the New York Times article?
Providing
care for our servicemembers and veterans continues to be a top priority for
Congress and our nation. This issue is of the utmost importance to us. Thank
you for your attention, and we look forward to your response.
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