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Palace HART helps combat-wounded Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachel Martinez
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  The Air Force is taking the recovery of Airmen wounded or ill a step further. 

Palace HART, or Helping Airmen Recover Together, is a program designed to support Airmen who have been wounded, ill or injured in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom, to include Purple Heart recipients. While the goal is to keep Airmen on active-duty if at all possible, the program provides assistance in those cases where it is not feasible. The program, which begins at the point of injury and continues until at least five years post separation, is designed to provide these Airmen and their families information on entitlements, benefits and follow-on assistance as they transition back to civilian life. 

When an Airman is injured or becomes ill, under Palace HART, a Family Liaison Officer is assigned at the first medical center. The FLO acts as a conduit between the Air Force and family members and can assist with emergency travel, information and lodging as well as assistance with administrative details. 

Next in the process is the assignment of a Community Readiness Consultant to help with transitional services. Although the program has been around since 2004, the CRC was recently added based on lessons learned. The CRC connects the Airman and family to community resources. They also are responsible for addressing any needs or family related concerns as well as evaluating financial options, including potential benefits and entitlements for being placed on Temporary Duty Retirements List and/or permanent retirement. CRCs are assigned early on in the process and continue support until the Airman is returned to duty or retires/separates. 

Lastly, a staff member from the Airman, Family and Community Operations Branch at Air Force Personnel Center ensures the Airman receives optimum assistance and follow-on services. Via weekly or monthly phone calls for no less than five years, the Airman, Family and Community Operations Branch tracks progress with Airman or family members toward successful reintegration back into the civilian community. 

Airmen in the Palace HART program are given special Air Force Federal civilian employment placement assistance. Airmen who return to active-duty are no longer considered Palace HART Airmen. 

Almost 130 separated or retired Airmen are currently enrolled in the program. That includes 25 Guardsmen, 97 active-duty members and seven Reservists. Of those, 94 of the Airmen are being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder, and seven were wounded in action. Other injuries include both physical and mental impairments. 

To date, McGuire has assisted one Airman under the Palace HART program. 

"Ms. Pates did an outstanding job at listening to his challenges and ensuring barriers to success were overcome," said Don Divis, 305th Mission Support Squadron Family Support Center flight chief. "It is a win-win situation when we are provided the opportunity to assist someone in the program. We help the individual and possibly their family members which make our jobs much more enjoyable as we can see the results our work right away!" 

Palace HART, an Air Force-specific program, falls under the Department of Defense Severely Wounded Program, which also includes the Army Wounded Warrior, Marine 4 Life Injured Support and Navy SAFE HARBOR programs.