Commentary
Maj. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg
Fort Bliss Commanding General
For those of you who have loved ones who have experienced complications brought on by traumatic brain injuries or post traumatic stress disorder, you understand the significant issues that may arise from these medical issues. As an Army, we are committed to providing the best possible care for our warriors returning from harm’s way. One of the great resources we have on Fort Bliss is the Restoration and Resilience Center.
The R and R center is a specialized treatment facility for Soldiers with post traumatic stress disorders who want to remain in the Army. The program is voluntary for servicemembers diagnosed with PTSD, and the mission is to restore optimal functioning and battle readiness to Soldiers and their families.
The founder and first chief of the amazing center is Dr. John Fortunato, who is also a Benedictine monk, Vietnam veteran and clinical psychologist, making him a perfect candidate to oversee the mind, body and soul facility, which has a welcoming and peaceful effect as you walk in. The current chief, Dr. Vicki Thomas, has long experience working with servicemembers and had been clinical director of the center almost since its ribbon cutting.
The entrance to the facility is equipped with oversized leather, mission-style chairs, wood floors and the sound of trickling water from a cascading fountain that sits in the lobby and has a calming effect. At the end of a hallway, is an Asian-looking room with a background therapeutic soundtrack, which induces a relaxed metal state within a few minutes.
Through the R and R Center’s therapeutic program, which includes medical massage, acupuncture, Tai Chi, Yoga, Reiki, power walks, therapeutic outings to the mall to help overcome fear of crowds and large spaces and to simulated indoor ranges to reduce panic reactions to combat situations, Soldiers once again learn to relax after the high adrenaline atmosphere they were accustomed to in theater.
A group of therapists and a chaplain help Soldiers raise and work through painful memories and help them get through the grief process. A process not many Soldiers have time for, while in a combat zone.
Another of the many therapies in the program is cognitive rehabilitation, which treats subtle brain damage caused by high levels of stress hormones that can damage parts of the brain that control thinking, especially memory. In order for the R and R Center to offer effective, adequate treatment, it must be comprehensive enough to address all aspects of the condition, intensive enough to produce profound rehabilitation of mind, body and soul, and long enough to achieve lasting change for Soldiers and their family.
The R and R Center operates two distinct programs, The Warrior Resilience Program and The Family Resilience Program. The Warrior Resilience Program is designed optimally for six months of care and four weeks of aftercare. All participants are assigned to the William Beaumont Army Medical Center Warrior Transition Unit and are billeted with WTU, unless the servicemember is living off post.
The Family Resilience Program conducts evening hour operations intervention with post-deployment focus, family treatment, spouse counseling including alternative medical, couple counseling, spouse group, couples group, kids group, parenting education, family and couple events, marriage enrichment and family nights. Child care is provided as needed.
Statistics since the opening of the center in July 2007 include 127 admissions, 30 currently enrolled, four waiting to graduate, 27 who have been discharged by medical board mostly due to physical injuries, 16 currently referred and in some stage of intake evaluation process and 66 fit for duty graduates.
Upon graduation, Soldiers return to their units or are reassigned by their branch.
Fort Bliss is committed to the readiness and welfare of its Soldiers and families and the R and R Center is one of the many programs available here.