Fort Dix WTU deactivates Published Sept. 18, 2014 By Pascual Flores Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. -- The Fort Dix Warrior Transition Unit, a company grade unit under the command and control of Walson Medical Support Element where its Soldiers receive medical care, cased its colors at its deactivation ceremony held at the Expeditionary Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Sept. 4, 2014. Activated June 15, 2007, the WTU provided support for 130 Soldiers who required at least six months of rehabilitative care. Today, thousands of warriors in transition have in-processed through this WTU and either returned to duty or to veteran status. WTU provides recovering Soldiers care that includes the Triad of Care -- a primary care manager, nurse case manager and squad leader supporting every Soldier. "We took care of thousands of America's sons and daughters here at the WTU," said Army Col. Jacqueline P. Allen, WMSE commander. With the U.S. Army heavily engaged in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, as well as other operations, the need for WTUs became essential for managing health, welfare and readiness of Soldiers who are wounded, ill or injured. "I want to thank the WSME staff, we could never had made it without your support," said Capt. Sharon Rinier, Fort Dix WTU commander. "I want to give special thanks to the volunteers who have given their time with the WTU." Rinier transferred to JB MDL in November 2012 as a nurse case manager for the WTU and successfully completed the WTU Case Manager Course at San Antonio in February 2013. She is a certified instructor for Advanced Cardiac Life Support Course, Pediatric Advanced Life Support Course, Emergency Pediatric Care EMT Course and Trauma Nursing Core Course. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Young, from Philadelphia, was the guest speaker at this ceremony. Young was mobilized October 2001 and served as Alpha Company first sergeant with the 1079th Garrison Support Unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle at (then) Fort Dix. "After Sept. 11, 2001, the 1079th GSU was activated and broken down into two companies, Alpha Company for mobilization and Bravo Company for demobilization," said Young. "We ramped up very, very quickly." Alpha company was responsible for the issuing of barracks, amnesty briefings, training and personnel accountability of reserve component Soldiers mobilized under Title 10 U.S.C. 12302. "Alpha Company ramped up so quickly we had 7,000 Soldiers on the ground in one shot," Young said. "At that time, Alpha Company consisted of five personnel." As more reserve component units reported for mobilization, the number of Soldiers determined unfit for deployment for either administrative or medical reasons increased. "It got overwhelming; we had 250 to 300 Soldiers on medical hold," said Young. "In 2002, Charlie Company was created to take over the responsibility for the medical holds." For the majority of Soldiers on medical hold, treatment for their injuries was conducted off the installation. "We logged more than one million miles transporting Soldiers to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and West Point Medical Center for their medical treatments," the former Command Sgt. Major said. According to Army leadership, the primary cause for the WTU changes are the decreasing number of wounded, ill or injured Soldiers as a result of reduced contingency operations. The Army Medical Command will implement the closure of the WTUs by Sept. 30, 2014.