Warrior Transition Unit - Please apply within

Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) were originally established as a way to rehabilitate soldiers returning from war with significant disabilities. With the improvements in medical care from the past 20 years, losing a leg does not necessarily mean the Army has no use for you.

Yet with the drawdowns in the Global War on Terror, it would seem they face declining clientele. I had a soldier with some back problems approach me some time ago regarding transfer to a WTU. Based on their time in service (over twenty) and some other factors, they didn't seem to be a good candidate -- I'd have thought retirement with a measure of disability benefits would have been a better option.

Despite stating as much in my recommendation, the soldier was still selected, and is now on the way to roughly a year's worth of rehabilitation therapy. After having spent an easy year earning full-time pay, the person will probably drop a retirement packet and do nothing productive for their remaining days on active duty.

Not the best investment of Army money, in my opinion, but it seems the WTU is easing its application requirements.