ALCOAST 008/08: OPERATION WARFIGHTER AND COMING HOME TO WORK

R 072200Z JAN 08
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N01000//
ALCOAST 008/08
COMDTNOTE 01000
SUBJ: OPERATION WARFIGHTER AND COMING HOME TO WORK
A. R 072111Z JAN 08 FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00//
(UNNUMBERED ALCOAST)
1. CANCEL REF A.
2. OVER THE HOLIDAYS, I VISITED THE WALTER REED ARMY MEDICAL
CENTER TO SPEND TIME WITH SOME OF OUR COURAGEOUS SERVICE MEMBERS
RETURNING FROM OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. MANY OF THEM WERE EAGER
TO REMAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY, BUT WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BECAUSE
OF INJURIES THEY SUSTAINED. SOME WILL NEVER SERVE IN UNIFORM AGAIN.
3. DURING THIS VISIT AND PRIOR VISITS TO BETHESDA NAVAL MEDICAL
CENTER I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT A COUPLE OF EXCELLENT PROGRAMS DESIGNED
TO HELP MEN AND WOMEN IN THEIR SITUATION. BOTH SUPPORT OUR DISABLED
VETERANS AND GIVE US THE BENEFIT OF THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE.
4. OPERATION WARFIGHTER (OWF) IS SPONSORED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE AND IS A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT OR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR
WOUNDED SERVICE MEMBERS WHO ARE UNDERGOING THERAPY AT WALTER REED
ARMY MEDICAL CENTER OR THE NATIONAL NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER. OPERATION
WARFIGHTER IS A LOCAL PROGRAM ONLY OFFERED IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
REGION. IT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE RECUPERATING SERVICE MEMBERS WITH
MEANINGFUL ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF THE HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT. IT IS
DESIGNED TO ASSIST IN RECOVERY AND OFFER A FORMAL MEANS OF
TRANSITION BACK TO THE MILITARY OR CIVILIAN WORKFORCE. INFORMATION
ABOUT OPERATION WARFIGHTER IS AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING WEB
ADDRESS: WWW.MILITARYHOMEFRONT.DOD.MIL/OPERATIONWARFIGHTER (USE
LOWER CASE LETTERS).
5. THE OTHER PROGRAM THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA)
SPONSORS IS THE COMING HOME TO WORK INITIATIVE (CHTW). IT PROVIDES
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEMPORARY NON-PAID WORK EXPERIENCE FOR SERVICE
MEMBERS FACING MEDICAL SEPARATION FROM THE MILITARY AND UNCERTAIN
FUTURES.
6. THE CHTW INITIATIVE IS PART OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS EARLY
OUTREACH EFFORTS TO ASSIST SERVICE MEMBERS IN GAINING OR SHARPENING
CIVILIAN JOB SKILLS AT A POINT IN THEIR RECOVERY WHEN THEY ARE
DEEMED WORK READY. IT IS A REGIONAL PROGRAM OFFERED AT SELECT
MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION. INFORMATION
ABOUT CHTW IS AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING WEB ADDRESS:
HTTP://WWW.VETSUCCESS.GOV/COMING HOME (USE LOWER CASE LETTERS)
7. OPERATION WARFIGHTER AND THE COMING HOME TO WORK INITIATIVE ARE
OPPORTUNITIES TO DEMONSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE MEMBERS WHO
HAVE SELFLESSLY PROTECTED OUR FREEDOM ABROAD, WHILE AVAILING THE
COAST GUARD OF THEIR SKILLS AND HARD WORK. AREA AND DISTRICT
COMMANDERS, COMMANDERS OF MAINTENANCE AND LOGISTICS, AND COMMANDING
OFFICERS OF HEADQUARTERS UNITS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE
IN THESE REGIONAL PROGRAMS.
8. THE POC FOR THESE INITIATIVES IS ANGELA D. DUNN, CG-1212 AT 202-
475-5310 OR VIA EMAIL ANGELA.D.DUNN(AT)USCG.MIL. YOU MAY CONTACT
HER FOR INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
10. ADMIRAL THAD ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
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