April 30, 2004, the Department of the Army introduced a Disabled Soldier Support System (DS3) Initiative.  On November 10, 2005 that name was changed to the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Porgram (AW2). 

AW2 provides severely wounded Soldiers and their families with a system of advocacy and follow-up with personal support to assist them as they transition from military service to the civilian community. When our soldiers are seriously injured in combat, they will know that the Army will honor their commitment by ensuring their physical, mental and financial needs are understood and addressed. 

The AW2 progam has established three phases to assist severely disabled Soldiers, from the initial process of notification and evaluation; to medical care and medical board evaluation; and finally through the reintegration back into the Army or retirement and transition to civilian employment. 

Visit AW2 for more information.

AW2 incorporates and integrates several existing programs to provide “Gold Star” support services to severely wounded and ill Soldiers and their families as they progress from initial notification return to duty, or into the civilian community.

AW2 Will:

•  Assist Soldiers and their families in accessing critical resources.
•  Facilitate Soldiers' and families' contact and coordination with external supporting agencies (VA, Labor, Veteran Service Organizations, etc.)
•  Ensure Soldiers' and family member's access to non-medical support services throughout the rehabilitation, return to duty or separation / retirement process, and for 5 years following retirement.
•  Ensure access to a network of information and resources wherever needed.

Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline - 1-800-984-8523

Army officials launched a new hotline to help wounded warriors and their family members to get information or assistance with medical or other issues.
The Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline can be reached from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1-800-984-8523. As additional personnel are trained to receive calls and refer them to the proper organization or agency for resolution, the hotline hours of operation will expand to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, officials said.

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Our Hero Handbook is a guide to walk wounded Service members and their families from day one through recovery, transition, and beyond.  This resource is intended not only for the wounded and their families, but also for all branches, military units, Family Readiness Groups, and Military Treatment Facility personnel.

The handbook grew out of the experiences of Lt. D.J. Skelton, who was severely injured while deployed. Lt. Skelton saw the need for a comprehensive guide to the military medical system for Soldiers and families that would take them through recovery, transition, and beyond. Spouses from Lt. Skelton's unit and from the U.S. Army War College Class of 2006 also contributed to the book by researching resources and information to be included in the guide. Topics covered in the handbook range from practical information about how to make travel and lodging arrangements to strategies for coping with the emotional strain of being a caregiver and how to inform children about a parent's injury. There is also a comprehensive list of organizations that can help wounded Soldiers and their families and extensive information on military insurance and medical benefits.

Read More on the AW2 Symposium held at Disney World, in Orlando, FL or view the Final Video Presentation .