The (WTU) Warrior Transistion Unit or Medical Hold Unit at Fort Dix

Most soldiers assigned to this unit stay from a few weeks to six months or more. While they are assigned our Chapter provides food not normally found in the mess hall one night a week during our "Veteran's night" program. We usually arrive at 7PM and stay to the late hours of the morning providing camaraderie and company for the soldiers. We play cards, shoot pool, watch TV and sometimes just sit and talk. We try to make their time go by a little easier and let them know that while far from home, someone cares.

It's not hard for Vietnam era veterans to remember their military service and how lonely these times can be. A lot of people or organizations may send phone cards or gifts to the soldiers that are short lived and its back to the same routine. What we offer is an ongoing program that money can't buy. We offer friendship, understanding, our experiences and someone to just talk to that has no other goals or agenda other than to support them in their time of need.

Recently, on another night, we have started what we call a "Veteran's Support Group" or Mentoring Program", where we discuss semi-private issues with soldiers on a one-on-one basis. We are not professional councilors nor do we claim to be, however we have found that there is a bond between all combat exposed soldiers that allows us to communicate on a different level that is often successful in helping to ease the pain of the battle experience. In addition our Veteran's Service Representative is there to help file applications with the Veteran's Administration for claims or answer VA related questions.

Particular to this bond is sharing experiences that the individual may be reluctant to talk about with others for fear of retribution or simply privacy issues. In short, they trust us with some of their inner most thoughts and problems. We feel that any help that works is welcomed and the soldiers have thus so far expressed a positive willingness to participate and even recover somewhat from illnesses such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.

Below you see pictures of the WTU soldiers at our annual picnic and our first card tournament with some of the happy winners. We gave out Awards and Gift certificate to the Post Exchange as prizes. Our annual picnic is for the soldiers and the VVA together as is our annual Christmas Party.

Our future plans include working closer with family support and a new unit called SFAC, Soldier and Family Assistance Center which has scheduled a new building to be completed just to support the WTU soldiers within the next two years.