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Wounded Warrior Program ready to care for Tinker Airmen

  • Published
  • By Danielle Gregory
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  Tinker Air Force Bases Wounded Warrior program is designed to ensure men and women disabled as a result of service in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom receive a level of transitional support in exchange for their sacrifices.
   "The Air Force is transitioning to the Wounded Warrior program to stay consistent with the other service's programs," said Jane Allen, flight chief for the Family Support Center.
   Previously known as Palace Helping Airmen Recover Together, the program helps both regular and reserve component members whose war-related injuries or illness has resulted in disability separation, retirement or placement on the Temporary Retired Disability List.
   "They receive these services for five years. We make sure they are taking advantage of all of the benefits that are there for them," said Ms. Allen.
   The participants are submitted by Air Force Personnel Center. The Family Support Center is a helping agency, for the Airmen who need help when they come through. The support center will help walk them through the program and what they need to do. Other agencies that are involved in support of the program are the Family Advocacy Center, Mental Health Services and Veterans Affairs.
   "The whole point of this is to have them get back into the work environment, so we look at things like helping them gain a government job," said Ms. Allen.
   This program is an Air Force only program, every military service has its own version of this program. Fortunately, Tinker has yet to have any participants for their program.
  The participants would normally go through the pre-separation counseling, one-on-one VA benefits counseling, personal assistance in completing and submitting a VA disability claim and Disabled Transitions program counseling. This program provides that those injured physically or mentally get extra assistance during their change.
   "When they leave the military, especially under those circumstances, we want them to know we aren't just going to drop them off somewhere. We still care about them, we're still going to make sure they get all the benefits you are entitled to in your transition from active duty to retirement," said Ms. Allen.