Military Officer - November 2007 - (Page 32)

washingtonscene Focus on the Wounded MOAA symposium highlights patients’ needs. a baseline, and then screen all returnees to help identify and treat those affected by the condition. A major concern is that multiple, overlapping programs cause confusion for servicemembers and families. Those with TBI simply can’t process complicated forms and checklists, and their families aren’t familiar with service, DoD, VA, or other bureaucracies. What’s needed most? ■ A single point of contact to assist families; ■ a clearinghouse to help them identify and navigate available services; ■ adjustment of the bureaucracies to focus on what the beneﬁciary needs versus their own administrative desires; and ■ support and compensation for family caregivers, some of whom have given up their employment to help their servicemember in what may be a lifetime of care. “Bionic Man” discussion panel: This panel focused on how to accommodate the intense desire of many amputees to continue serving on active duty. Army Maj. Dave Rozelle, who now heads the Advanced Rehabilitation Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. (WRAMC), offered stirring comments about his successful return to command a combat unit in Iraq after extensive rehabilitation from his amputation. Capt. D.J. Skelton, USA, campaigned to continue service after suffering extensive head, arm, and leg wounds and now serves as advisor to the deputy secretary of Defense. DoD and the military services are reexamining rules to reevaluate such issues as physical standards, personal safety, and circumstances under which exceptions should be made to the normal rules. MOAA President Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USN-Ret. (top), kicked off the Sept. 18 wounded warrior symposium, which featured VA Secretary Jim Nicholson (middle). Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, USPHS-Ret., right, moderated a panel discussion (left) featuring military and civilian experts on PTSD. 32 MILITARY OFFICER NOVEMBER 2007 PHOTOS: STEVE BARRETT O n Sept. 18, MOAA, in conjunction with the U.S. Naval Institute and the Fleet Reserve Association, sponsored a daylong symposium highlighting requirements and challenges in meeting the needs of severely wounded warriors and their families. (Look for more coverage of the symposium in the December issue of Military Ofﬁcer.) Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Personnel Subcommittee, kicked off the day, urging MOAA and attendees to “continue to give input, help with issues, but most of all help America understand the need and be a voice on the Hill for those in uniform who can’t speak for themselves.” Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) discussion panel: This panel identiﬁed the need to screen all deploying veterans to establish

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - November 2007

Military Officer - November 2007 Contents From the Editor President’s Page Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Chapters in Action Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Cover Story: Commanding the Corps With Love, From Home Financial Guidebook Financial Tuneups Banking on Your Time Pages of History MOAA Scholarship Recipients Faces of MOAA MOAA Scholarship Donors Member Books Advertising Index MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps MOAA Member Services Encore

Military Officer - November 2007

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