ACADEMY RECRUITERS LLC
"Providing Leaders to Industry" 
(Owned and Operated by Service Academy Graduates)

Academy Recruiters is an executive job search company seeking a Wounded Warrior candidate to hire on with a Defense Consulting Firm. 

Requirements: experience or credentials in System Engineering or Operations Research. If accepted, most of this work can be done at home.

Academy Recruiters are not charging their clients any recruiting fees for hiring these candidates. Please contact Mr. Ken Williams directly but keep your mentor informed.

Call: 203-798-6029 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

American Veterans and Servicemembers Survival Guide

VETERANS RESOURCES NETWORK
http://www.valaw.org   http://38uscode.com

Captain Scott Smiley '03 Assumes Command of the West Point Warrior Transition Unit (WTU)

Used with permission from the West Point Pointer View / Story and photos by Tommy Gilligan

Soldier, Infantryman, Airborne, Ranger, combat diver, mountain climber, skier, triathlete, surfer, husband and father are just a few words to describe Capt. Scotty Smiley. Now, add company commander to his decorated resume and incredible distinction. At 1 p.m. Monday, Smiley became the first blind officer who has been bestowed the responsibility of leading a company as he assumed command of the Warrior Transition Unit at West Point.

For people not familiar with Smiley's story, the idea of an officer at the rank of captain taking command is part of the normal progression in a commissioned officer's career path and this is the way the new commander feels. Yet, what makes him so similar to so many throughout the Armed Forces has allowed him to overcome so much to get to this point. During Smiley's last deployment to Iraq in 2005, he was wounded, permanently losing his vision. After receiving medical attention, Smiley was transferred to the Ft. Lewis, Wash., WTU, where he began his recovery and his journey to get back to active duty status.  The 2003 West Point graduate wanted to get back to doing what he loved and that was serving his country in uniform.

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TO YIELD BETTER BENEFITS FOR THOUSANDS OF VETERANS SUFFERING FROM PTSD AND THEIR FAMILIES

Veterans must opt-in by July 24 for disability rating upgrade and expedited review of benefits, NVLSP and Morgan Lewis available to counsel veterans on their rights as class members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2010

WASHINGTON—Following an order issued by the judge overseeing Sabo v. United States, legal notices are being mailed this week to more than 4,300 veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom and were diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The court’s notice invites them to join a class action lawsuit filed in December 2008 in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims by signing and submitting an “opt-in” form no later than July 24, 2010.  Submitting this form will allow these veterans to take advantage of a negotiated resolution that guarantees an upgrade in the veteran’s disability rating and an expedited review by a military correction board to determine the full extent of the rating improvement.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of seven veterans by the non-profit National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) and pro bono counsel Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, alleges that between December 17, 2002 and October 14, 2008, the military illegally denied benefits to an entire class of service members who returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with PTSD and were discharged from service. 

Vets4Vets Virgina Workshop – February 26-28, 2010

Vets4Vets will be hosting a FREE peer support workshop at  www.eagle-landing.com, February 26-28, 2010. This is a general workshop, so Virginia OEF/OIF Vets can apply!

All you need to do is fill out the Vets4Vets Workshop Registration Form and email it to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or fax it to (520) 325-0772. If you live outside the workshop area and will be needing a flight, please also fill out the  Air Compassion Form – this should be sent to us as well.

REGISTRATION AND FLIGHT FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED BY February 12, 2010 (unless you live in the Virgina area and will be driving yourself to the workshop).

Studies Find Breakthrough in PTSD Treatment

Brain scans, blood tests may help predict condition

Marine Corps Times
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Dec 27, 2009 8:40:52 EST

Two new studies seem to provide more evidence that post-traumatic stress disorder is a chemical change in the brain caused by trauma — and that it might be possible to diagnose, treat and predict which troops are most susceptible to it using brain scans or blood tests.

In one study, Christine Marx of the Duke University Medical Center and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center wondered why PTSD, depression and pain often occur together.

Researchers already knew that people with PTSD show changes in their neurosteroids, which are brain chemicals thought to play a role in how the body responds to stress.

Real Warriors Campaign Launches New PSAs to Combat Psychological Health Stigma

DCoE in Action Newsletter for Defense Centers of Excellence VOL 2/NO. 7 | Nov. - Dec. 2009

Army Major Jeff Hall, Real Warriors PSA

Army Reservist Staff Sgt. Megan Krause, Real Warriors PSA

On October 13, 2009, the Real Warriors Campaign launched four new public service announcements (PSAs) to help combat the stigma associated with seeking treatment for psychological health concerns and traumatic brain injury.

In addition to being posted on the Real Warriors Campaign Web site, thePSAs will also air on DoD and civilian media nationwide and overseas.  “Every deployment is unique and impacts our service members in different ways,” said DCoE Director Brig. Gen. Sutton, M.D. “No one returns home the same way they left. These PSAs are an important part of tearing down the stigma that can keep our warriors from seeking the psychological health care they need to maintain resilience.”

Army Secretary: New Treatments For PTSD And TBI Must Be Explored

Stripes Central (Stripes.com) December 9, 2009 By Jeff Schogol

Army Secretary John McHugh sat down with Stars and Stripes Tuesday to talk about a broad range of issues, including the Army’s efforts to combat post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

Where do you feel the Army needs to improve when it comes to treating PTSD and TBI?

Well, I just this morning returned from my my most recent visit to Walter Reed, and it’s clear as you go through those wards that obviously this is an ongoing challenge, and one that while I think we’ve made a lot of progress on, particularly from the diagnostic and treatment side, we have to continue to do better.

We’ve come to a point where we recognize that this is not fabricated; it’s not something wrapped up in an individual’s mind, but something that is a true medical condition. And of course, in the cases of TBI, a challenge that really requires new treatments and the application of the latest technologies, and that’s happening but it is for as many years as this issue has been around – be it shell shock or be it bullet fatigue, or whatever it may be – it’s one where we are just starting to understand more fully.

Walter Reed Patients Test Next Generation Prosthesis

By Christen N. McCluney Special to American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2009

Wounded warriors at the Military Advanced Training Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here are testing a new microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee. The X2 microprocessor knee by Otto Bock HealthCare is the result of a medical research project funded in support of the Military Amputee Research Program.

This project, administered by the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, had the goal of developing "an electronically controlled prosthetic knee joint that meets the specific demands of military staff in real world activity," said Troy Turner, Advanced Technology Research Program manager at TATRC.

He added that in 2005, officials recognized that even the cutting-edge prosthetic devices weren't good enough.

DOD and VA Announce Disability Evaluation System Pilot Expansion

The Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that beginning in January 2010, the Disability Evaluation System (DES) pilot will expand to an additional six installations across the country.

The new locations will include: Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Lewis, Wash.; Fort Riley, Kan.; and Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, Va. This expansion brings the total number of military facilities using the pilot to 27.

“The decision to expand the pilot was based upon favorable reviews focusing on the program’s ability to meet timeliness, effectiveness, transparency, and customer and stakeholder satisfaction,” said Noel Koch, deputy under secretary of defense, Office of Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy.

Monthly GI Bill Payment Rate Increased

New DCoE Web Site Offers Specialized Content, New Features for Visitors

DCoE recently launched a new Web site at our current address: www.dcoe.health.mil/. The revamped site contains audience-specific sections for warriors, families, news media and health professionals. The specialized content will make it easier for these audiences to quickly find the resources and information they need to answer their psychological health (PH) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) questions. Other new features include RSS feeds, improved usability and a media room with videos and podcasts featuring DCoE leadership and other PH and TBI experts. The new site went live on October 1, 2009. DCoE will be adding articles, videos, podcasts and resources frequently so check back often.

For more information or to use the site, please visit www.dcoe.health.mil/.

DEFENSE CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE: For Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE)

DCoE assesses, validates, oversees and facilitates prevention, resilience, identification, treatment, outreach, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs for psychological health and traumatic brain injury to ensure the Department of Defense meets the needs of the nation's military communities, warriors and families.

New DoD Center Helps with Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury

WARNING-Please Pay Attention

The VA reports that a reprehensible scam is targeting veterans.

Scammers are calling VA beneficiaries under the guise of a phony "Patient Care Group". The caller claims that VA prescriptions are being administered by this company.

The scammers ask for personal information, including credit card information, claiming that this is necessary for the beneficiary to keep receiving prescriptions through the VA.

This is completely bogus.

The VA does not call vets and ask them to disclose personal information over the phone, and the VA hasn't changed any prescription dispensing rules.

Be safe. Never give out personal information to any unsolicited phone caller.

These posters will be displayed in the heavy traffic and display areas of the first and third floors of the Walter Reed Hospital indefinitely or until they have to be removed because of the BRAC.  They will also be displayed in the Soldiers Family Assistance Center, the Mologne House and the WW Transition Brigade Headquarters at Walter Reed.   Two posters also will be displayed at Bethesda Naval and Ft Belvoir.  

Click here for a larger image that is clearly readable.

Department of Veterans Affairs Aptitude Testing

As soon as a WW is an outpatient and capable mentally and physically of being tested,  they should contact Jeannie Lehowicz at 703-424-3563 or Room 2-24 of the MATC or new amputee center for an appointment to complete an application to be tested. Be aware  the application must be approved by the VA and the approval process may take from one to four weeks.

Traumatic Serviceman's Group Life Insurance (TSGLI)

Many WW's do not know about applying for TSGLI payments. This should be done through the SFAC. If there are any questions concerning eligibility for TSGLI or any related TSGLI questions, call the TSGLI Office at 1-800-237-1336 (Army); 1-800-368-3202 (Navy); 877-216-0825 (Marine Corps) or email them at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Social Security Disability Claims and Payments

WW's should apply for Social Security Disability for all OEF/OIF Wounds including TBI and PTSD. A representative from the Social Disability Office will be in the SFAC at Walter Reed every Tues 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM to assist WW's in filling out the application.

Either Ms. Guadalupe Angulo, PH 202-673-5170 or 202-623-5159 Ext 3014, Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or Ms. White , her assistant, will be there to assist WW's apply.

New Web Page Guides TRICARE Beneficiaries to Behavioral Health Resources

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – A new Web page for TRICARE beneficiaries takes the brainwork out of seeking help.

May is Mental Health Month, and at http://www.tricare.mil/mentalhealth/ TRICARE is committed to providing beneficiaries with the most up-to-date information about available its behavioral health resources.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Application Form Available Online

Starting May 1, 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs will begin accepting applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.  The application form is available online. 

Suicide Primer for Lay People "Must Read" Document

Not all people with depression will show all symptoms or have them to the same degree. If a person has four or more symptoms, for more than two weeks, consult a doctor or mental health professional right away. While the symptoms specified for all groups below generally characterize major depression, there are other disorders with similar characteristics including: bipolar illness, anxiety disorder, or attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity.

Click here to download document Suicide Primer for Lay People with important information for all Mentors and Follow-On Mentors.

Long Range Education Counselor Available

Priscilla Hardiman, a WWMP volunteer and long range education counselor, will be available to counsel WW's by appointment 9:00 to 3:30 hours on Mondays in the Ed Center, Room 3-08, Delano Hall (Bldg 11) beginning Jan 26 and each Monday thereafter.  Her PH at the office is 202-356-1012,  Ext 20425. 

The education process for WW's is for them to be assessed by the WW Transition Brigade and referred to the Education Center Counselors in Rm 3-11 of Delano Hall for near term education assistance while at WR using the Tuition Assistance (TA) Program (On line Courses, Courses offered at WR by Montgomery College and University of MD University College and courses at local colleges).  The WW's have $4,500 per fiscal year available for this purpose that does not count against their GI Bill and Veterans benefits.  This process should include outpatient aptitude testing and counseling by the VA representative- Jeannie Lehowicz (703-733-0553) in Rm 2-24 of the MATC (New Amputee Center in the Hospital) to assist the WW on what curricula and new profession to pursue. 

SFACs: New Centers Helping Families of Wounded

November 20, 2008Army News Service| by Lindy Kyzer

WASHINGTON - A key component of caring for wounded warriors is taking care of their families. That's why Soldier Family Assistance Centers now thrive at 34 Army installations across the globe, officials said.

SFACs are a one-stop shop where wounded warriors and their families can find assistance and information to get them through a difficult time.

Maj. Gen. John Macdonald, commanding general of the U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command and Delores F. Johnson, director, family programs, headquarters, U.S. Army FMWRC, joined bloggers and on-line journalists for a special Warrior Care month blogger's roundtable to discuss SFACs and other programs available to wounded warriors.

Travel Reimbursement Increases for Veterans

Mileage reimbursement rates for travel to Veterans Affairs medical facilities went up last week, from 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents. VA Secretary Dr. James B. Peake said he used his authority to make such an increase.

“We owe it to our veterans to give them the best care possible,” Peake said in a department press release. “The increase will once again provide assistance to our veterans, especially in these difficult economic times, to help offset gasoline costs and to assist veterans with access to the VA’s world-class health system.”

"Give an Hour" Valuable Web Site

Give an Hour is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop a national network of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society. Our first target population is the U.S. troops and families who are being affected by the current military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.  We are now creating a national network of mental health professionals who are literally giving an hour of their time each week to provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families. Individuals who receive services will be given the opportunity to give back in their own community. By providing critical psychological support to military personnel and their families, we will support the sacrifices they are making and ameliorate the difficulties they face.

Click on the "Give an Hour" Program Menu (to the left) to access further material about this Program.

Their web site at www.giveanhour.org has additional useful material.

Group Offers Free Psychiatric Care to War Vets

Stars and Stripes | Leo Shane III | May 20, 2008

WASHINGTON -- A coalition of mental health groups announced plans Monday to establish a nationwide network of psychiatrists, psychologists and other experts to provide free counseling to combat veterans and their families.

"Citizen soldiers have had extended, long deployments, and that has created a difficult situation for them and for their families," said Dr. Richard Harding, president of the American Psychiatric Foundation. "Those people need help ... and we have a duty to take care of them."

The groups' goal is to enlist about 40,000 mental health professionals -- about 10 percent of the nationwide force -- to donate time and services to individual veterans, their families, or veterans groups.

Their web site is: http://www.giveanhour.org/skins/gah/home.aspx

Welcome to the Wounded Warrior Mentor Program 

The Wounded Warrior Mentor Program (WWMP) was started by members of the West Point class of 1958 in 2004, to provide mentoring services to wounded military members recovering at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington, D.C.  It has since expanded to include a number of West Point classes and several mentors from the other Service Academies to provide mentoring services to wounded military members wherever they are located. 

Lee Miller '58, Bruce Holmberg '61, Greg Gadston '89, Alton McCallum '02, and John Herren '58