JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Approximately 25 U.S. Army Soldiers from the Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Alpha Company Warrior Transition Unit strapped into wheelchairs prior to playing basketball as part of Warrior Care Month event at Fort Eustis, Virginia, Nov. 13, 2015.
As part of recognizing the month, the JBLE WTU held numerous events highlighting this year's theme, "Show of Strength," in which wounded, ill and injured Soldiers learned how to show their strength through recovery, reconditioning, reintegration and remaining strong.
According to the Warrior Transition Command, the WTU's goal is to provide personalized support to wounded, ill and injured Soldiers who require at least six months of rehabilitative care and complex medical management to transition back to Army or civilian status.
"[These] Soldiers demonstrate the true strength of our Army throughout the recovery and transition process," said U.S. Army Col. Chris Toner, the commander of the Warrior Transition Command. "Their physical and emotional strength as they move forward with the next stage of their lives embodies the resilience of all Soldiers. Our Warrior Care and Transition Program gives them the foundation and tools to harness that strength and fortitude into the achievement of their goals."
While the Soldiers playing wheelchair basketball didn't need wheelchairs, they pushed their wheels to practice the flexibility, precision and strength it takes to participate in adaptive sports, showing that no matter the injury, they too can adapt and overcome.
"It was a great opportunity to [emphasize] what adaptive sports can do post injury," said U.S. Army Capt. Joe Colon, Jr., the commander of the 305th Psychological Operations Company Tactical detachment. "Sports day is a great education tool on how adaptive sports and reconditioning can really aid in everyday Soldiers success. Not only do they highlight what sports can do for Soldiers' [emotionally], but Soldiers also get to be around people who don't let their illness hinder them from playing."
Along with the sports day, the 42 Soldiers assigned to the unit also participated in career and employment readiness programs, such as internships, professional certifications, trainings and formal education.
"We want the Soldiers to think about how they can adapt to what they can do now versus what they can't do at all, so they have the ability to transition back to duty or to civilian life," said Capt. Catherine Pearson, the commander of the Alpha Company Warrior Transition, on providing various physical and emotional strength building programs.
Whether through sports or readiness programs, the Warrior Care and Transition Program is there for Soldiers year-round, and has proven success with its care of more than 63,000 recovered Soldiers since 2007.
For more information on Warrior Care Month, WTU and the WCTP, visit
http://mcdonald.nrmc.amedd.army.mil/wtu/SitePages/WTU.aspx.