The Wounded Warrior Regiment: Nursing Marines Back To Health

This year is the tenth anniversary of the formation of the Wounded Warrior Regiment which takes a truly holistic approach to nursing marines back to health and either returning them to service or helping them transition into society. 

The state of the art facility is an entire regiment in its own right and it is like any other marine unit but instead of training in combat, engineering or medicine, the full-time job is to recover.

When a serviceman’s life’s turned upside down by injury or illness, the more that can remain constant the better. Throughout their time here the marines are kept ‘as marine as possible'. That means uniforms, haircuts and living in barracks.

Captin Jessica Teixeira is the commander of Alpha company, she said she asked to be here:

"I seeing the marines at their worst and getting them back to where they need to be, it’s incredible to see them."

The facilities are impressive with a huge gym, underwater treadmill, and pool. But, it's not all focused on the physical side of things. The marines also benefit from alternative therapy, for example, through music.

John Vernazza is a musician who works at the centre:

"I’m not a therapist, we just communicate though music. Creativity is a way to get things out of your system."

In reality, approximately only 15% of the marines here will return to service, so much of what they do here is preparing them for the transition.    As well as their medicals, they’re helped with applying for benefits, education, job applications and all this is done before they leave service so there are no gaps to fall through.    This can take time, a marine can be with the regiment for up to 2 years before leaving service.

Once they leave, the marines aren’t forgotten. Case managers constantly check up on them, there are support workers in the community and an emergency line marines can call any time of the day or night.

Whether bound for service or civilian life, the wounded warrior regiment prides itself on its holistic approach and strives to ensure marines are never forgotten, long after service.