Wounded Warrior Project Analysis

When a man or woman, decides to join the military to serve his or her country there are seven words that are instilled into his or her everyday well-being; these are words that they live by day in and day out, and they wear those same seven words on a “dog tag”. And, those few words are: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. These words are not just applied to the ones that they train with, but also to the country that they were born and raised in. When those words are spoken, it gives most people a great sense of pride and patriotism, more so for those people who have served or are still serving, and/or have been wounded in combat. That is why the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is such a big deal to most, injured service men and women and their families, because this project has positively

impacted them and society as a whole. This is because they, the WWP have honored and empowered all of those men and women who have served and are still serving, and that have also been injured protecting our country and our freedom. The WWP is and will provide great benefits to help those that were injured and their families to help them get through the day(s), month(s) and even the years to come.
Here is a little history on the Wounded Warrior Project of when and how it got started, how it is still helping injured service men and women, and how many Wounded Warrior businesses are located in the United States.

The Wounded Warrior Project, was started in 2003 in Roanoke, Va., by a group of veterans and friends that took action to help those service men and women that were injured in this generation of wars (cited source #1). This project is a national organization and offers many services to our warriors, throughout the nation regardless of whether the WWP is in their area that they live in. Up and down the East coast, there are WWP’s located in the following areas; Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Florida, New York, Washington, DC and Tennessee but there are many more nationwide (General WWP FAQ’S). The WWP is still providing services to over 83,000 warriors, whom are called alumni and more than 15,000 family support members so, regardless of the rumors that are being posted on websites and on the news the WWP is still trusted by nearly 100,000 veterans, their caregivers, and their family (Scam and Fraud

Information).
There are a few bonds that are tight throughout the military services. Both men and women who have served know they can depend on one another, whether in air, on land or on sea.
With the Wounded Warrior Program, location in the San Diego, Ca region it includes a rejuvenation retreat, lunch and learns monthly dinners and much more. The WWP also offers a peer support which recognizes the healing values of bringing together injured service members from all services. Developing a one on one friendship with fellow service members that are further along in their recovery process (WWP Engagement Programs). In addition to peer support, there is also a program called Long-term Support, which is just what it says, support for the service member, and his or her family, through all the stages of recovery (WWP Engagement Programs). With these programs, many wounded warriors find strength from one another and become a vital part of each other’s life (WWP Engagement Programs).
The Wounded Warrior Project, is a positive program that empowers and benefits our wounded/injured service men and women, to continue to be honored, and live a fulfilling, yet normal life without having fingers pointed at them. This project is also not just about the service member but also about his or her families too. The Wounded Warrior Project envisions a generations of warriors who will be engaged with friends, family, community and with each other. The warriors will have a helping hand to assist them and to assist other warriors that following them. Hence the reasoning behind logo of one warrior carrying another warrior from the battle field (WWP Engagement Programs).
The purpose of the Wounded Warrior Project is to raise awareness with the public to make the people of the United States, fully aware of the benefits that can help our warriors while enlisting the public’s help through money donations and volunteer time at community outings that are sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project (The Purpose of the WWP ,Wounded Warrior Project ). The public awareness help comes from famous singers and actors, such as Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, and Mark Wahlberg, producing TV commercials that show the life of some of our wounded warriors (WWP Videos, Media Room, Grandma). Also, around the Fayetteville, Cumberland County area, and Fort Bragg area, some of the sponsored running races, and sponsored softball tournaments will have a certain amount that goes to the local chapter for the Wounded Warrior Project (ASA Diamond Rally, Warrior the troops).
The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is to honor and empower those injured service members, with a vision to have the most successful, well-adjusted generation of veterans in this nation’s history. The Wounded Warrior Project has developed programs and services that reflect the needs of our injured service members both past and present (WWP mind Programs, Organization report). This mission also extends to encourage warriors as they adjust to what will be their new normal and help them achieve their new triumphs. It also helps with and assists family members of the wounded services members through support counseling, financial counseling, assistance with college scholarship for the warrior’s spouse and his or her dependents, nutrition counseling and so much more (Penk, Walter and Ainspin, N., When the Warrior Returns: making the transition at home). The mission of the Wounded Warrior Program is just not for the warriors, but also for the family members as well because they are just as important for the recovery process to help out their wounded warrior.
One of the most important programs, that helps the wounded warriors is the Physical Health and Wellness program, which provides recreation, certain sports programs and overall strategies to help our wounded service members remain physically fit, while adjusting to life after injury (Physical Health and Wellness). One of these Physical Health and Wellness program that help our services members out are the Soldier Ride, a four-day cycling opportunity for the Wounded Warriors, to use cycling, and the bonds of their service to overcome, their physical, mental or emotional wounds (Physical Health and Wellness). Another program that is great for the wounded warriors is called the WWP Backpack program; it gives them a backpack, filled with some comfort items and some personal hygiene items, as well as other items that they will need while in the hospital or continuing their treatment outside the hospital. And, the WWP have just recently added a tote for family members so that they too can be comfortable as their warrior is healing in the hospital (Comfort Starts here; WWP packs). Something that will help most if not all wounded service members is the Economic Empowerment, which consist of the Warriors to Work (W2W) and the TRACK program (Warriors to work, for Warriors and for employers). These programs are in place to help them find employment or meet their educational goals. Lastly, there are two very important programs to help out our warriors, because wounded soldiers tend to hide their mental illnesses more than others. With these programs they are given the chance to redeem themselves again and try to regain the life they once had (Bishop, H. Treating our wounded Warriors for mental health and Traumatic brain injuries). This is why the Combat-Stress Recovery Program is important; because it addresses those soldiers returning from war who are suffering from mental health and cognitive needs (Combat Stress Recovery Program). Combat-Stress Recovery Program also provides a military rehabilitation service at key stages during their readjustment process (Combat Stress Recovery Program). It is also to help those set goals and understanding their “new norm” (Combat Stress Recovery Program). Another program is Regional Project Odysseys, a five-day retreat for those wounded veterans from each region to group together to begin their healing together (Lopez, A., Project Odyssey, Wounded Warrior project). Project Odyssey helps warriors overcome combat stress through outdoor activities, rehabilitative retreats that encourage a connection with nature, your peers, staff members, and trained counselors (Lopez, A., Project Odyssey, Wounded warrior project) ). These programs are costly, so they need to be funded in some way; this is so that the soldier does not have to come out of pocket for the services. It is also important to discuss how the Wounded Warrior Project’s programs are funded.
Basically some of the Wounded Warrior Project is funded through a give back funding process, because the Wounded Warriors Project invites all people within the community to honor and empower Wounded Warriors by becoming proud supporter and by hosting the community’s own fundraising campaign (Host a fundraising event, become a paid supporter). The reason behind that is because the Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization. The definition of non-profit means; a corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive (Free Dictionary). Some of the examples of community fundraisers are; hosting a golf tournament, putting together a sporting event, or supporting the WWP through the local school systems (Host a fundraising event, become a proud supporter). Also, Under Armour (the sporting clothes line) also donates 10% of their sales of clothes and other merchandise to the Wounded Warrior Project (UA Freedom, Protect this house ). UA Freedom has a mission to inspire and support the brave, it is committed to donating a minimum of $250,000 annually to support First Responders, Military Support Organizations, Law Enforcement Officers, and Veterans who have committed to keeping us safe (UA Freedom, Protect this house). In addition, to that Under Armour is proud of a strong partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project (UA Freedom, Protect this house).
As in every war, more in Iraq and Afghanistan, the wounded services members are far more than those killed. Some of the most common combat injuries have included, but are not limited to, burns (2nd and 3rd degree), broken bones, shrapnel wounds, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, paralysis, loss of hearing or eyesight, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and amputations (US and Allied Wounded). And, then there are also the injuries that affect soldiers when they are home and that is suicide. With Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Suicide and PTSD being major issues amongst those returning back from Iraq and Afghanistan, numbers show that 15% of all veterans suffer from TBI, more than 75% of wounded veterans are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the latest annual survey sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project and 19% of all services either attempt or commit suicide (Jordan, B, 75% of wounded vets suffer from PTSD). PTSD, is one of the most serious diseases, among veterans returning from the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, PTSD and mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often linked and their symptoms may overlap (PTSD: A Growing Epidemic). When dealing/coping with the outcome of where the service members would rather suffer in silence or kill themselves than go get the help that is needed. “Many experts believe that the fear of stigma can prevent military members from seeking help for mental health problems,” Acosta said (Nauert, R., PhD U.S. military lessens stigma of mental illnesses promotes treatment). So, the things that the Wounded Warriors Project has stated, is exercise classes such as Yoga classes, that help them get rid of all their stressors. WWP also conducts support groups, with these support groups those with PTSD, should be willing to attend the treatment, to see that they are not alone (Institute of Medicine). Also, those with PTSD or other mental or physical health issues must use these great resources, that are offered by the government, to be able to continue with getting the right help and care that is needed (PTSD Foundation).
In conclusion, due to the advancement in battlefield medicine and body armor, most service members are surviving their battlefield wounds and injuries (WWP Programs and Results, impact statement). However, the Wounded Warrior Project is still a great program, because it has positively impacted society as a whole with honor and empowerment to those wounded warriors that were or have been injured (WWP Programs and Results, impact statement). This program helps injured service members and their families by providing beneficial service to them, most importantly, they help soldiers become a normal person again (WWP Programs and Results, impact statement). Also with this program, our wounded veterans will start seeing huge success, against the battle of PTSD and other injuries, because WWP support groups are out there and they also will show how there are other medical programs that will help combat many medical illnesses that are related to war. Also, WWP will impact society as it continues to empower our wounded warriors, and provides services for those wounded soldiers and their family members (WWP Programs and Results, impact statement).