In Army’s Trauma Care Units, Feeling Warehoused

Warrior Transition Units were intended to be sheltering way stations where injured soldiers could recuperate.But the units are far from being restful sanctuaries.

At the top of the command are traditional Army officers, not health care professionals: Brig. Gen. Gary Cheek, head of the Warrior Transition Command, was an artillery officer, and Colonel Grantham an intelligence officer.

Beneath them is what the Army calls its triad of care. Members of the cadre keep a close eye on individual soldiers, much like squad leaders in regular line units. Nurse case managers schedule appointments and assist with medications and therapy. And primary care managers — doctors, physicians’ assistants or nurse practitioners — oversee care and prescribe medicines.

The structure is intended to ensure that every soldier gets careful supervision and that Army values and discipline are maintained. But many soldiers at Fort Carson complained that discipline and insensitive treatment by cadre members made wounded soldiers feel as if they were viewed as fakers or weaklings.

Sub lethal casualties are recognised as a larger burden by all sides. The military must bear the burden. Soldiering on the job will not be tolerated. Guilty on all counts. Damn Republicans.