WTUs???

Vae Victis

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Are the WTUs worth going to? I was told I should consider going but I am kinda nervous about leaving my unit. Is there good benefits to being at the WTUs
 
How is your unit with you getting med boarded? I assume you are getting med boarded? If your unit is understanding and relatively accommodating, then i would consider staying where you are. Obviously, if things are a nightmare with your unit....then that's a different story.
 
My experience with the WTU was excellent. It is a process to get in though. You have to meet criteria and it requires your unit to be involved with the decision unless you are a MEDEVAC. The unit has to submit a packet and the WTU TRIAD decides if they will take you.

http://www.wtc.army.mil/faqs/faqs.html
What are the criteria for being assigned to a WTU?

To be eligible for assignment to a WTU, a Soldier will require at least six months of complex medical management. Reserve Component (RC) Soldiers are also eligible for assignment to a WTU if they become wounded, ill, or injured during mobilization, pre-deployment, post-deployment, or separation from their unit.
Under the following circumstances, Soldiers will generally not be accepted into a WTU:
  • Soldiers with uncomplicated pregnancy, unless the pregnancy does not interfere with treatment for the primary injury or illness. Pregnancy alone does not qualify a Soldier for assignment to a WTU
  • Soldiers who are in initial entry training, advanced individual training, or one station unit training
  • Soldiers whose permanent profiles require a Military Assessment Retention Review (MAR2)
  • Soldiers in temporary disabled retired list (TDRL) status
 
My unit is pretty laid back, and lets me go to appointments. I am going to be med boarded. I was told by some of my Drs that the WTU soldiers have access to some good programs. And I think the reason the want me to look into it is it is because they worry my unit will still have me doing things I shouldn't be doing
 
I think there are advantages and disadvantages to the WTUs.

Advantages-
You will be in unit where your appointments/treatment/care etc. are going to be your priority. So, you should not have issues with being given a hard time for missing time away from duty.You MAY get a more sympathetic environment for continued service while you go through the process.​
You will have a unit that is aware of and attuned to the various administrative issues (such as continuation of orders, need for various documents, etc., in your packet).​
You MAY be subject to less harassment for not being able to perform your normal duties.​
Disadvantages-

The greatest singular issue that I see with WTUs is that the commander often cannot accurately assess your duty performance (or ability to reasonably perform your duties) in the Commander's Functional Statement/DA Form 7652. This can hurt a Soldier when they are trying to show they are unfit for more than one condition.​
Similarly, you won't be performing your expected duties and it may be that your disabilities are not so "apparent" while serving in a WTU.​
I have heard or and seen cases where WTU commands are "petty" and seek to enforce super stringent standards. Basically, you are going to a new unit where you don't have the same relationships and where your prior work is essentially a blank slate. It can be hard to show your "worth" in such an environment.​
Not sure you have a solid choice at this point- if you are going to the WTU, you are going. I would think that you may want to "prep the battleground" by getting statements from your current chain/Senior NCOs describing EACH of your conditions.

Good luck!
 
Jason commented...

You will be in unit where your appointments/treatment/care etc. are going to be your priority.

Have you seen any documentation to support this? It is true that when we are scheduled for appointments, we usually get priority. However, my NCM and Medical Assistant can not seem to find any documentation. Including the WTU-Comprehensive Manual.

Any links or documents would be great as I will pass them onto the CoC.

Draco
 
I know that at campbell WTU gets priority and most all the med stuff. I am not yet in a WTU that why I started this thread. But I have noticed when I have to get an MRI or go to neroulogy for EEG They get priority for all those. Forgot to thank Jason, that was a good answer to my question on WTU. It's a hard decision I like my unit I am in now and it's a very laid back place. I just doing want to miss out on any things that might only be available to WTU soldiers when I am full swing in my MED board. I guess I will have to just figure it out.. Just ready to be done and sick and tired of being sick and tired
 
Vae if you have any questions about WTB pls do send them my way I have been in WTB 3.5 yrs and moved from WTB to WTB due to family issues so I am well rounded on the issue. Jason hit the topic there is side backs to any place you are going to be in your process. If you are stationed at Campbell I was stationed there for 9 yrs and was in there WTB last year by all means go to WTB if you are stationed there I left Campbell and came to Gordon due to family issues and this place has been the worst experience in my life. At Campbell the cadre focused on you to do what ever they could to make your transition there and move to the civilian life the easiest they could. They understood you have given your time and life is a struggle for you now so they bend there life around yours. Here at Gordon they act as if you owe them more than they owe you and most are reserve and national guard cadre I mean where as I am Comp 1 and with them never being deployed and acting like I owe them something we tend to bump heads way to much. Also here at Gordon they like to try to throw around Article 15's alot and the crew stand behind one another more than they stand behind the soldiers being treated. If I could give you any info it is do whatever you have to do to take care of yourself and your family and just try to put up with the BS until then but as I said if you are at Ft Campbell the BS is very minimal.
 
Vae if you have any questions about WTB pls do send them my way I have been in WTB 3.5 yrs and moved from WTB to WTB due to family issues so I am well rounded on the issue. Jason hit the topic there is side backs to any place you are going to be in your process. If you are stationed at Campbell I was stationed there for 9 yrs and was in there WTB last year by all means go to WTB if you are stationed there I left Campbell and came to Gordon due to family issues and this place has been the worst experience in my life. At Campbell the cadre focused on you to do what ever they could to make your transition there and move to the civilian life the easiest they could. They understood you have given your time and life is a struggle for you now so they bend there life around yours. Here at Gordon they act as if you owe them more than they owe you and most are reserve and national guard cadre I mean where as I am Comp 1 and with them never being deployed and acting like I owe them something we tend to bump heads way to much. Also here at Gordon they like to try to throw around Article 15's alot and the crew stand behind one another more than they stand behind the soldiers being treated. If I could give you any info it is do whatever you have to do to take care of yourself and your family and just try to put up with the BS until then but as I said if you are at Ft Campbell the BS is very minimal.[/quote
I really appreciate your reply this whole thing has bee. Crazy for me I have been at campbell for almost all of my 13 years in the army. So this change is kinda scary. And what concerned me is going in there and being treated like a cherry. Sorry to hear u had to go to Gordon. I am still straddling fence on the WTU my unit is not going to push me going there unless I ask. My unit in general is very understanding and will let me jet for appointments or I I am in pain. So it makes the decision hard. I just had hear that WTUs have access to more programs? Hope that shit get better at Gordon brother don't let fobits get you down!!!!
 
it all depends one which WTU your going to, all are different, with little similarities

Here at bragg i think the WTU is excellent with all the programs and things that goes on here

Allows you to heal and focus on you transition out the Army, you can go to school, or even get a internship and thats you place of duty, that allows you to get the feel of how a civilian job will be like an also set you up for a job when you get out

Great Place to be
 
Everyone has given some excellent examples of their personal experiences. I for one, thank GOD that I have the opportunity to participate in the WTU/WTB program. I am stationed at Ft. Hood, TX. Although, I am tired of the whole med board situation period and can not wait to leave the military. I can honestly admit that the WTU/WTB here has truly focused on the soldier transitioning back to the fight or into the civilian sector. I have the pleasure of taking part in job fairs or events that at my old unit I woud not have been informed of. In my opinion, anyone who has the opportunity to take part in the WTU/WTB program should definitely consider it a blessing. In closing, I hope my stay at the longest is no more than a year if that. Again, I was blessed to report to WTU/WTB on 28 Nov. 2012
 
Thank you for your reply, my MEB will be starting soon and I will need to decied if I want to push to go there. I have been dealing with non stop Dr appointments for over a year and they are finally saying I just won't be able to do my job. Hopefully the whole MEB will go fast for me to. I am just tired of dealing with Drs I truly believe there is no clear answer for anything.
 
The benefits you will get while at WTB are well worth going to the WTB.
I was at WTB Fort Sam in 09 and 2010. and will be returning soon. I tried my hardest to stay in but I guess I need to be smart enough to call it quits before I wind up leaving the army feet first. The WTB is the best thing since sliced bread.
I cant say enough good about it.
 
My unit is pretty laid back, and lets me go to appointments. I am going to be med boarded. I was told by some of my Drs that the WTU soldiers have access to some good programs. And I think the reason the want me to look into it is it is because they worry my unit will still have me doing things I shouldn't be doing
The transitional benefits, access to the SFAC, job opportunities, internship opportunities, etc. alone are invaluable. I have seen nightmare scenarios for junior Soldiers dealing with CoC that don't/won't understand your issues.
 
SRNCOREMF,
I would highly advise you to do what you can do to get into wtu. There are alot of benefits and programs that are only available to soldiers in the WTU. The fact that you are still with your unit is in itself a disservice to you.
 
SRNCOREMF,
I would highly advise you to do what you can do to get into wtu. There are alot of benefits and programs that are only available to soldiers in the WTU. The fact that you are still with your unit is in itself a disservice to you.

I should have mentioned I was in a CBWTU but you are absolutely correct. The SFAC access alone is invaluable and I ask for TDY orders to go down to the SFAC regularly!
 
Upon reading the posts within this thread, I notice the use of the term "SFAC" and believe submitting an inquiry still remains within the scope of this original thread. If not, in advance, I extend my deepest apologies.

With that all said, what is the meaning of the term SFAC? What is the purpose of a SFAC?

In retrospect, I am still awaiting an approval decision for acceptance then transfer into a WTU, and the advantages seem to outweigh the disadvantages for me at least.

Best Wishes!
 
So my psychiatrist at BH tells me yesterday that she is recommending me to the WTU and I don't have a choice but she said that its up to my boss the BC to accept the recommendation. Either way I'm getting a P3 profile. Is this all correct? Because I don't think the BC will let me go that easily.
 
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