NewsFlash | Warrior Care

Warrior Care

Warrior Care — The mission is to proactively support wounded, ill, and injured Service members in their recovery and reintegration or transition to civilian life. Warrior Care honors the opportunity to provide assistance to spouses and dependents of veterans who honorably served in our Nation's armed forces. The Department of Defense (DoD) and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reaffirms its commitment that there is no higher priority than caring for the wounded, ill, and injured service members who have sacrificed so much.

U.S. Army Recovery Care Program — The U.S. Army Recovery Care Program (ARCP) manages recovery and complex care for wounded ill, and injured soldiers across all army components. Through the use of Soldier Recovery Units (SRUs), the ARCP manages the recovery of wounded, ill and injured Soldiers through a comprehensive program of medical care, rehabilitation, professional development, and achievement of personal goals. The program also provides resources and advocacy for families and caregivers of Soldiers recovering in the program.

U.S. Navy Wounded Warrior - The U.S. Navy’s sole organization for coordinating the non-medical care of seriously wounded, ill and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, and providing resources and support to their families. Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) coordinates the non-medical care of Sailors and Coast Guardsmen with serious, non-combat or combat related injuries and physical or psychological illnesses. 

U.S. Marines Wounded Warrior Regiment — The U.S. Marine Corps approaches each individual Marine and Sailor's recovery as a relationship, not a process, and encourages healing in all aspects of life. The Wounded Warrior Regiment (WWR) provides leadership, guidance, and ensures compliance with laws and DoD regulations related to the support, recovery, and non-medical care of combat and non-combat wounded, ill, and injured (WII) Marines, Sailors attached to Marine units, and their family members in order to maximize their recovery as they return to duty or transition to civilian life.

U.S. Air Force Wounded Warrior — The U.S. Air Force Wounded Warrior Program (AFW2) is a Congressionally-mandated and Federally-funded organization tasked with taking care of U.S. Air Force wounded, ill, and injured Airmen, U.S. Space Force Guardians, Veterans, and their families. AFW2 provides personalized restorative care throughout their transformation back to duty, separation, or retirement, staying in contact with them throughout the process as an Airman For Life. The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program's Recovery Care Program manages recovery and complex care for wounded ill, and injured Airmen and their caregivers/families across all components.

USSOCOM Warrior Care Program — The WCP-CC acts as USSOCOM's action arm to assist in the recovery, rehabilitation, reintegration, and transition of SOF WII. Characterized by a command culture that is dedicated to continuously adapting in order to achieve and maintain the highest levels of excellence, USSOCOM established the Warrior Care Program-Care Coalition (WCP-CC) in 2005. The primary goal is to assist SOF wounded, ill, and injured in getting back to duty, operationally fit and mentally prepared. If the Wounded Warrior is not able to return to active duty, the Warrior Care program assists in the transition of the Wounded Warrior and his/her family to civilian life.

Education and Employment Initiatives (E2I) and Operation War Fighter (OWF) — E2I is available to all wounded, ill, and injured Service members in all branches of the military Services, as well as all components of those Services – Active, Guard and Reserve. Operation Warfighter (OWF) is a DoD internship program that matches qualified wounded, ill and injured Service members with non-funded federal internships in order for them to gain valuable work experience during their recovery and rehabilitation.

National Resource Directory — The National Resource Directory (NRD) is a resource website that connects wounded warriors, Service Members, Veterans, their families, and caregivers to programs and services that support them. The NRD is a partnership among the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. The NRD is hosted, managed, maintained, sustained and developed by the Defense Health Agency's Recovery Coordination Program and provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration. Visitors can find information on a variety of topics that supply an abundance of vetted resources.  

Fisher House — If you or someone you love is receiving care at a VA or military medical center, check the list of Current Houses to see if there is a Fisher House that can help. Criteria to stay is established locally by the hospital or installation command so please contact the location with any questions. There is never a charge to stay at a Fisher House.

Hero Miles — Life doesn’t stop when a service member is injured or becomes ill. The Hero Miles program enables these heroes and their loved ones to try and balance hospital life and home life. The Fisher House Foundation proudly partners with the following major airlines in support of our wounded, injured, and ill service men and women and their families: Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines. Using frequent flyer miles, round trip airfare is purchased for;

Wounded, injured, and ill service members on ordinary leave from the medical center to home or an authorized event
Loved ones of wounded, injured, or ill service members to visit the authorized medical center
Loved ones to attend the Dignified Transfer of Remains at Dover Air Force Base

Hotels for Heroes — There are times when a Fisher House is unavailable. The Hotels for Heroes program steps in when this happens and provides a hotel room for families eligible to stay in a Fisher House. If you believe you qualify for a hotel room, please contact your service member’s case worker or Fisher House manager at the location of treatment.

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) — The largest of the three administrations that comprise VA - continues to meet Veterans' changing medical, surgical and quality-of-life needs. The VA health care system has grown from 54 hospitals in 1930 to 1,600 health care facilities today, including 144 VA Medical Centers and 1,232 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity. The VA MISSION Act went into effect on June 6, 2019. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. The VA Community Care Network (CCN) is VA’s direct link with community providers to ensure Veterans receive timely, high-quality care. Today's VHA - the largest of the three administrations that comprise VA - continues to meet Veterans' changing medical, surgical, and quality-of-life needs. VA's mission is to serve America’s veterans and their families with dignity and compassion and be their principal advocate in ensuring that they receive medical care, benefits, social support, and lasting memorials. VA promotes the health, welfare, and dignity of all veterans in recognition of their service to our nation. The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources:

1. Veterans with a service-connected (SC) disability rated at 50% or more.
2. Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not yet rated, within 12 months of discharge.
3. Veterans seeking care for a SC disability only or under a special treatment authority.
4. Veterans seeking registry examinations (ionizing radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) depleted uranium, airborne hazards, and Open Burn Pit Registry).

Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) — The Department of Defense expanded commissary shopping privileges in the U.S. effective 1 January 2020 as part of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018, included in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. Access was expanded to include:

Veterans with any service-connected disability
Purple Heart recipients
Former Prisoners of war, and
Individuals approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible Veterans under the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

American military commissaries provide a military benefit of discounted groceries and household goods to active-duty, Reserve and Guard members of the uniformed services, retirees of these services, authorized family members, DOD civilian employees overseas and other designated categories. Commissaries constitute one of the top nonpay benefits for today’s military and are an important inducement to recruitment and retention of skilled personnel, while simultaneously holding down taxpayer costs. What you need to do before you shop.

1. Confirm your Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) has one of the required designations, (SERVICE CONNECTED, MEDAL OF HONOR, PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW), or obtain your Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) as outlined above. You will need this for your commissary checkout experience.
2. Contact the base you intend to visit beforehand and determine what their current policy is for base access.
3. Check out https://shop.commissaries.com/store-flyer to start saving now or https://shop.commissaries.com to place your order online.

Commissary Store Locations in VISN 20 are located in Alaska, Idaho and Washington. DeCA has no authority to determine whether a person is authorized to shop in the commissary. If you believe you may be entitled to commissary privileges, visit your local installation Pass and ID office for information about military benefits and to obtain an ID card consistent with your entitlements. To obtain a VHIC, you’ll need to be enrolled in VA health care. If you’re not already enrolled, you can contact your nearest VA medical center and ask to speak with the enrollment coordinator.

VA extends presumptive period for Persian Gulf War Veterans — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has extended the presumptive period to Dec. 31, 2026 for qualifying chronic disabilities rated 10% or more resulting from undiagnosed illnesses in Persian Gulf War Veterans. Persian Gulf War operational names included Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Sabre, Operation Southern Watch, and Operation Provide Comfort. In addition, various phases of each operation may have a unique operational name. VA's Persian Gulf War Registry Health Exam alerts Veterans to possible long-term health problems that may be related to environmental exposures during military service. The Persian Gulf War Registry health exam is separate from VA disability benefits for a presumptive disability or other service-connected conditions. Persian Gulf veterans served on active duty in the Armed Forces in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. 

• Iraq
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia
• The neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
• Bahrain
• Qatar
• The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.)
• Oman
• Gulf of Aden
• Gulf of Oman
• Waters of the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea
• The airspace above these locations 

For VA benefit purposes, Gulf War service is active military duty in any of the Southwest Asia theater of military operations at any time August 2, 1990 to present. Wartime compensation for service-connected disability or death occurring in Persian Gulf War veterans passed into law in 1994. Need help? Appoint a Veteran Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or claims agent to assist you. In most cases, it is not necessary for Veterans to get assistance from an attorney. However, many Veterans choose to get free assistance from organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). These organizations will typically ask you to sign a limited power of attorney, which will allow them to speak with the VA on your behalf. They can help you determine status, ask the VA to reconsider the severity of your rated ailments, and help you with other support actions.

At the time of Persian Gulf War Veterans' Benefits approval in 1994, it was not known whether these servicemembers were exposed to chemical or biological warfare agents. However, threats of enemy use of chemical and biological warfare heightened the psychological stress associated with the military operation. Persian Gulf War Veterans may still seek to establish service connection individually for other, "non-presumptive" diseases and illnesses related to service in the Gulf War. The Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses was created by Congress in 1998, and first appointed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi in January 2002. During the Persian Gulf War, members of the Armed Forces were exposed to numerous potentially toxic substances, including fumes and smoke from military operations, oil well fires, diesel exhaust, paints, pesticides, depleted uranium, infectious agents, investigational drugs and vaccines, and indigenous diseases, and were also given multiple immunizations. 

Veterans of Foreign Wars - The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW) is the largest and oldest war veterans service organization, offering free veteran and military family support programs and services. Veteran qualification for membership in the VFW must meet two requirements:

1. Honorable Service – must have served in the Armed Forces of the United States and either received a discharge of Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) or be currently serving.
2. Service in a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters. This can be proven by any of the following:
   An authorized campaign medal
   Receipt of Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay
   Service in Korea for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days qualify.

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) — WWP began in 2003 as a small, grassroots effort providing simple care and comfort items to the hospital bedsides of the first wounded service members returning home from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As their post-service needs evolved, so have our programs and services.

Wounded, III, and/or Injured Compensation and Benefits Handbook — Updated annually by the DoD in collaboration with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), U.S. Department of Labor (DoL), U.S. Department of Education (ED), the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), and the U.S. Military Services. On active duty, most of your benefits come from the DoD. After you leave active duty, whether discharged or medically retired, you become eligible for a number of additional benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

Military2VA (M2VA) - Every VA medical center has a specialized Post-9/11 Military2VA (M2VA) team ready to welcome you as you transition from service member to Veteran. Your Post-9/11 M2VA team will assist you, your family, and caregivers in navigating the VA health care system and support you in achieving your health and wellness goals. Often when service members leave the military, they find difficulty with sense of identity, financial strain, employment/education barriers, relationship changes, mental/emotional wellness, and physical limitations as a result of their time in the military. 

USO — Since 1941, the USO has been the nation’s leading organization to serve the men and women in the U.S. military, and their families, throughout their time in uniform. From the moment they join, through their assignments and deployments, and as they transition back to their communities, the USO is always by their side. Today’s USO continuously adapts to the needs of our men and women in uniform and their families, so they can focus on their very important mission. USO airport centers throughout the country offer around-the clock hospitality for traveling service members and their families.  

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Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care

Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

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Spanning 23% of the US land mass, VA Northwest Health Network (VISN 20) is the largest geographic region of VA. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in 135 counties in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. VISN 20 also serves Veterans in Del Norte and Siskiyou counties of California and Lincoln County Montana. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) provides health care for Veterans from providers in the local community. VCCP includes General Community Care, Urgent Care, Emergency Care, Foreign Medical Care, Home Health and Hospice Care, Indian and Tribal Health Services, In Vitro Fertilization, State Veterans Home, and Flu Shots.

Browse facilities by state

Vet Centers in VISN 20

Vet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-WAR-VETS is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center.

Vet Centers provide counseling to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services. If you can’t make it to a nearby Vet Center, VA offers satellite Vet Center locations and Mobile Vet Centers that may be closer to you.

Alaska Anchorage Vet Center (Anchorage, AK) Anchorage Satellite Vet Centers in Anchor Point and Homer Fairbanks Vet Center (Fairbanks, AK) Fairbanks Satellite Vet Centers in Fort Greely and Fort Wainwright Kenai Vet Center Outstation (Soldotna, AK) Wasilla Vet Center (Wasilla, AK) Oregon Central Oregon Vet Center (Bend, OR) Eugene Vet Center (Eugene, OR) Eugene Satellite Vet Centers in Florence and Reedsport  Grants Pass Vet Center (Grants Pass, OR) Grants Pass Satellite Vet Center in Cave Junction and Grants Pass Mobile Vet Center Portland, OR Vet Center (Portland, OR) Portland Satellite Vet Centers in Oregon City, St. Helens, and Vancouver, Washington Salem Vet Center (Salem, OR) Salem Mobile Vet Center

Idaho Boise Vet Center (Boise, ID) Boise Satellite Vet Center in Ontario, Oregon and Boise Mobile Vet Center Spokane Satellite Vet Centers in Couer d'Alene, Kootenai, Post Falls, Fairchild AFB, and Newport, Washington Washington Bellingham Vet Center (Bellingham, WA) Everett Vet Center (Everett, WA) Federal Way Vet Center (Federal Way, WA) Lacey Vet Center Outstation (Lacey, WA) Seattle Vet Center (Seattle, WA) Spokane Vet Center (Spokane, WA) Spokane Satellite Vet Centers in Fairchild AFB, Newport, Post Falls and Couer d'Alene, Idaho Spokane Mobile Vet Center Tacoma Vet Center (Tacoma, WA) Tacoma Mobile Vet Center Vancouver Vet Center - Washington State University, Clark County (Vancouver, WA) Walla Walla Vet Center (Walla Walla, WA) Yakima Valley Vet Center (Yakima, WA) Yakima Satellite Vet Center in Ellensburg

Veterans Crisis "988" - The Military Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource for all Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and Veterans. You're not alone—the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. For immediate help in dealing with a suicidal crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call.

Europe:
Call +1 844-702-5495 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)

Southwest Asia:
Call +1 855-422-7719 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)

Pacific:
Call +1 844-702-5493 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)

A Veteran overseas may contact the Veterans Crisis Line via the chat modality at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. If the Veteran prefers a phone call, they can request this within the chat venue. For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255. Are you looking for clinical care or counseling? Assistance with benefits? No matter what you’re experiencing, we’re here to connect you with resources and support systems to help. The Veterans Crisis Line is free and confidential. When you call, chat, or text, a qualified responder will listen and help. You decide how much information to share. Support doesn't end with your conversation. Our responders can connect you with the resources you need.

Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran

The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources:

1. Veterans with a service-connected (SC) disability rated at 50% or more.
2. Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not yet rated, within 12 months of discharge.
3. Veterans seeking care for a SC disability only or under a special treatment authority.
4. Veterans seeking registry examinations (ionizing radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) depleted uranium, airborne hazards, and Open Burn Pit Registry).

Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member. For other mental health services, contact a VA medical center for information on eligibility and treatment options.

Plan your trip to VA

In 1946, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was established by law to provide comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans. With our many retail stores, cafés and coffee shops across the country, we serve those who have served our country. Our Canteens are whole health spaces for Veterans to connect, relax, share and care for themselves in an environment that is their benefit. We are proud to Serve America’s Veterans and those who provide for their care.

VCS operates over 200 Patriot Stores in Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Centers nationwide. Many of our stores have been recently updated and expanded to provide our customers with a modern, clean and comfortable shopping experience. Our stores welcome our customers with wider aisles, wood-like floors, enhanced lighting and directional signage. PatriotStores have expanded hours of operation to provide service for customers on weekends at most locations.

The Patriot Cafe is the best place in the VA Medical Center to enjoy delicious, freshly prepared breakfast or lunch served hot or cold each weekday. Providing Veterans, their families, VA employees, volunteers and visitors a place to relax and enjoy a meal or take-out for their convenience. With a wide variety of food from traditional comfort food, specialized menu selections and a large assortment of healthy choices; there is something for everyone's taste buds.

Hospital Service Directory

To find out whether there is a van near you use the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for information or assistance. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community.

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