U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program
We will never leave a fallen comrade
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The U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program – AW2 – embodies the Warrior Ethos “we will never leave a fallen comrade.” AW2’s personalized recovery services for severely wounded Soldiers are not limited by geography or physical location and are not constrained by recovery or rehabilitation timelines.
The U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program assists and advocates for wounded Soldiers and their Families throughout their lifetimes, wherever they are located.
Initially established in April, 2004 as the Disabled Soldier Support System (DS3), the Army responded to the needs of the most severely wounded, injured or ill Soldiers who were returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Today, AW2 serves more than 2,300 Soldiers and their Families, focusing on the most severely injured Soldiers and their Families. The Army Wounded Warrior Program frequently communicates with Soldiers and their Families to proactively address and mitigate issues they encounter.
AW2 Helps Soldiers and Their Families
AW2 provides unique services to the most severely wounded, including:
- Helping wounded Soldiers remain in the Army by educating them on their options and assisting them in the application process;
- with future career plans and employment opportunities beyond their Army careers;
- Supporting them with a staff of subject matter experts proficient in non-medical benefits for wounded Soldiers;
- Some examples of how AW2 assists wounded Soldiers:
- Helping a Soldier obtain full VA and Army Benefits;
- Helping a Soldier and their family get healthcare after retiring from the Army;
- Helping a Soldier get financial counseling to buy a house;
- Helping a Soldier put food on the table for Thanksgiving;
- Helping a Soldier receive the awards they earned (e.g., Purple Heart Award).
Soldier Family Management Specialists
Soldier Family Management Specialists are located throughout the country at major Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) and VA Medical Centers (VAMC) providing on the ground support to Soldiers and their Families from the time they arrive. Soldier Family Management Specialists (SFMSs) are:
- Career and Education Guides
- Benefit Advisors
- Military Transition Specialists
- Local Resource Experts
- Family Assistants
- Life Coaches
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Army Wounded Warrior Program, a Soldier must:
- Suffer from injuries or illnesses incurred after 10 September 2001, in support of the Global War on Terror (GWOT)
- Receive or be expected to receive a 30% rating for one or more injuries rated by the Physical Disability Evaluation System in categories such as:
- Loss of Vision/Blindness
- Loss of Limb
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Paralysis
- Severe burns
- Severe Hearing Loss/Deafness
- Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Severe Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Permanent disfigurement to areas normally in view
- Fatal/Incurable Disease with limited life expectancy
For a more complete listing of conditions, please click here.
Hiring a Wounded Warrior
Companies have the opportunity to support those who sacrificed for our country by hiring Soldiers severely wounded in the Global War on Terror (GWOT).
An important element in rebuilding the lives of severely Wounded Soldiers is gained through meaningful employment with companies throughout the world. AW2 links severely wounded, injured or ill Soldiers and companies together by providing personalized employment counseling and services. AW2 is vital in helping them become self-sufficient, contributing members of our communities.
AW2 Coordinators work closely with the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) to connect prospective employers with AW2 Soldiers seeking work.
EMPLOYERS: Learn more about Hiring a Wounded Warrior, call 1-800-237-1336 or email aw2@conus.army.mil
AW2 SOLDIERS: Learn more about career opportunities by contacting your Soldier Family Management Specialist or call AW2 headquarters at 1-800-237-1336.
Continuing on Active Duty or Reserve is an Option for Many AW2 Soldiers
Soldiers who have experienced a severe wound, injury or illness continue to choose to stay on Active Duty or Reserve, after injury. To date, most Soldiers who have requested to continue in the Army have been able to do so.
AW2 Soldier Family Management Specialists assist wounded Soldiers interested in pursuing the Continuation on Active Duty (COAD)/ Continuation on Active Reserve (COAR) process every step of the way.
To be eligible, a Soldier must meet at least one of the following:
- Has served 15-20 years of service for COAD or 15-20 qualifying years of service for non-regular retirement for COAR;
- Is qualified in a critical skill or shortage MOS;
- Has a disability as a result of combat or terrorism.
Learn more about the COAD/COAR process by contacting your Soldier Family Management Specialist or call AW2 headquarters at 1-800-237-1336.
Find out more about the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program Today!
Visit www.aw2.army.mil OR Call 1-800-237-1336
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