Program focus to "take care of our own"

  • Published
  • By Nicholasa Reed
  • 19th Force Support Marketing
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  He's just happy to be working. 

Six months after separating from the Air Force Grady Ellington is happy to be working and even more grateful the Air Force "is taking care of its own," said the Iraqi war veteran. 

Mr. Ellington is one of 577 veterans across the Air Force being assisted by the Wounded Warriors program. The program follows Airmen for life beginning at time of injury. 

The project, originally an Air Force specific program called Helping Airmen Recover Together, was revamped in 2007 to encompass Army and Air Force, Wounded Warriors. 

At the time of his discharge in 2006, the program was in transition and Mr. Ellington, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, spent more than 6 months outside the wire. 

"I was just trying to support my family and go to school anyway I could," said Mr. Ellington.
A native to Little Rock, Mr. Ellington and his family of four moved back in with his mother for support. 

Mr. Ellington drove a school bus and in his off time attended college classes, but struggled to provide for his family. 

So, Jodie Rhone's phone call was a welcome tone. 

Mr. Rhone, a community readiness consultant, who was with the Air Force Personnel Center's Wounded Warrior program at the time, called Mr. Ellington once a month to see how he was transitioning and ensure he was receiving all the benefits he was entitled to through Veterans' Affairs. 

"I ask what he was doing [for work.]," said Mr. Rhone. Hearing about Mr. Ellington's position, Mr. Rhone suggested he check the USA Jobs web-site where federal positions are posted. 

When Mr. Ellington found a civilian position on base in the same career field as he was on active duty, Mr. Rhone was the first person he called after applying. 

"Under the Warriors to Work program, we were able to bring Grady into a position he was more than qualified for and put all of his expertise to use," said Ed Summers, a community readiness consultant in the 19th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center. 

"Grady was a perfect match," agreed Mr. Rhone. "Every time I spoke to Grady, he was always upbeat about everything. He remained positive despite all the things he was going through." 

Mr. Ellington's case is a fortunate one, not all are eligible for employment due to severe disabilities. Yet the program strives to ensure all are followed up on and given the assistance and support they require. 

"There are a lot of vets who don't know what they qualify for," said Mr. Ellington. "People like Jodie Rhone are there for follow-up with them and make sure they get what they deserve." 

According to statistics from the AFPC Wounded Warrior office, 62 percent of wounded warriors suffer from PTSD. The Air Force is currently averaging 20 new Wounded Warrior employee hires a month. 

For more information on the program, visit; www.woundedwarrior.af.mil or www.nationalresourcedirectory.org 

To contact the AFPC Wounded Warrior program e-mail: AFwounded.warrior@randolph.af.mil or call at 1-800-581-9437.

"For their service and sacrifice, warm words of thanks from a grateful nation are more than warranted, but they aren't nearly enough. We also owe our veterans the care they were promised and the benefits that they have earned. We have a sacred trust with those who wear the uniform of the United States of America. It's a commitment that begins at enlistment, and it must never end. But we know that for too long, we've fallen short of meeting that commitment. Too many wounded warriors go without the care that they need. Too many veterans don't receive the support that they've earned."
-President Barack Obama, March 19, 2009