Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

Need larger text?

Recovering airman finds a new path with OWF support

Image of Air Force Tech Sgt. Adam Grimm posing for a photo. Air Force Tech Sgt. Adam Grimm’s first mission to Papua New Guinea with Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal tech (Courtesy Photo).

4/23/2021 By: Gabby Bonilla, contract support of Operation Warfighter

Share this page

Social Media Links

Internships give recovering service members the opportunity to test out a potential career field.

Within the Defense Health Agency, Operation Warfighter (OWF) allows Recovering Service Members the opportunity to intern with over 200 federal agencies. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam Grimm utilized this program, and with the help of his OWF Coordinator, Sandra Ambotaite, interned at Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs Hawaii.

In 2018, Grimm was introduced to the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) program after being flagged for Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) review. Prior to this he had served as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. He was moved from his primary specialty, and was in a mobility training program that wasn't utilizing him to his best abilities. Grimm has heard about the OWF program and knew that it could help him find a purpose again. After being accepted into the program, Ambotaite and Grimm began searching for agencies that could help him find a new career and sense of purpose.

After several months of looking for suitable positions, DPAA expressed needing help in their travel office. The DPAA is an agency within the Department of Defense whose mission is to recover our military to their families and the nation. Grimm has had previous missions with DPAA in the past as a bomb tech, and therefore sincerely appreciated their mission.

During his 6-month internship, Grimm had the opportunity to work with military and civilian personnel, helped process DTS orders and vouchers, and learned the importance of meeting deadlines. "For an agency that has a 100+ mission queue at any time, falling behind can affect real world missions" explained Grimm. "I was happy to help their mission."

Air Force Tech Sgt. Adam Grimm and someone he trained while in Afghanistan
Air Force Tech Sgt. Adam Grimm trained local Afghanistan military in explosives during his first deployment to PNG. Two years later, during a second deployment, they ran into each other again (Courtesy Photo). 

Unfortunately, the MEB two-year mark was quickly approaching. With no official job offer from DPAA and the office shutting down due to COVID-19, Grimm reached out again to his OWF coordinator, Ambotaite, to find a new internship opportunity, preferably in the medical field.

During this time, Grimm started taking prerequisite courses for nursing at a local college. "I had been thinking about going into a medical career after service and was hoping to work at the VA clinic on Oahu," Grimm stated.

Ambotaite was able to make that possible, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the VA seeking extra assistance. During Grimm's time at the VA, he supported the administrative duties while also having the opportunity to shadow many medical offices at the VA clinic and the attached Army hospital.

Grimm explained that his experience there was a great opportunity to see the true side of a new world, the experience allowed him to see that maybe nursing wasn't the right fit for him. "I switched my college path to a master's in social work to start a private counseling practice. I'm on track to graduate in four years and have my own practice in six," Grimm shared.

Opportunities provided through AFW2 and OWF allowed Grimm to become more comfortable in his future and career choices. Grimm shared, "The time out of uniform and in more supportive roles was a huge help to foster my mental transition. In addition, I was able to help other's missions and explore an entire, very complicated, career path and decide the best true fit for me."

You also may be interested in...

Road to the 2023 Warrior Games Challenge

Video
5/16/2023
Road to the 2023 Warrior Games Challenge

Wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans have trained and competed across all branches in an effort to secure a spot on their respective 2023 DOD Warrior Games Challenge teams. These are a few of the stories of those who are utilizing adaptive sports as a key component in their recovery. For more information regarding the Military Adaptive Sports Program and other transition opportunities, visit www.WarriorCare.mil.

In the Army Recovery Care Program, You Have One Job

Article Around MHS
4/27/2023
U.S. Army Cpt. Veronica, Jones shoots the ball during the U.S. Army Adaptive Sports Camp at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on April 1. Over 70 wounded, ill and injured soldiers are training in a series of athletic events including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, powerlifting, track, field, rowing, and wheelchair basketball. This year, the Warrior Games Challenge takes place in June 2023 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. (Photo by U.S. Army Pvt. Theron Smith)

In the Army Recovery Care Program, soldiers have one job…to get better. The adaptive sports camp celebrates wounded, ill, and injured soldiers' ability to recover and overcome. The U.S. Army holds qualifying trials for active duty, wounded, ill, or injured soldiers to assess and select athletes for competition in the Warrior Games Challenge.

Driving After Traumatic Brain Injury at Womack Army Medical Center

Article Around MHS
3/8/2023
The Womack Army Medical Center uses a rehabilitation vehicle that builds confidence for a service member, diligently working to regain independence in their life after a traumatic brain injury. (Photo by Sameria Zavala, Womack Army Medical Center)

Traumatic brain injuries can end military careers and create great strains on military families. That's why the occupational therapists at Womack Army Medical Center have created a therapy that most of us take for granted to get injured soldiers back on the road to recovery.

How One Officer is Chasing Her Dreams

Article Around MHS
2/21/2023
U.S. Navy Lt. Tia Blythe

Her civilian physical therapy job wasn't enough. That's when Tia Laine Blythe decided to take her specialized skills to the military. Follow along with now U.S. Navy Lt. Tia Laine Blythe's military career path that has led to numerous awards, distinctions, and a whole new level of professional satisfaction.

Equine Therapy Reduces Staff Stress and Anxiety at Military Hospital

Article
1/25/2023
Military personnel poses with miniature horse

Not all facility animals are dogs. Mini-horses help reduce staff stress at Naval Medical Center San Diego.

There's No Excuse to Not Be Living Your Full Potential

Article Around MHS
1/17/2023
Military personnel healing in hospital bed

Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Armando Mejia was severely injured due to an explosion and firefight in Mosul, Iraq, in 2004. Staying in a medical hold while recovering, Mejia was eventually one of the first to experience the Army Recovery Care Program when it was stood up as Warrior Care and Transition.

Injured Fort Bliss K-9 Handler Makes Inspiring Return to Duty

Article Around MHS
1/10/2023
Military personnel with K9

A military working dog handler assigned to the 93rd Military Police battalion survives a horrific motorcycle crash with a speeding pickup driver, but his prognosis was grim. Find out how dedication, motivation, and his sweet connection with a K-9 got U.S. Army Spc. Cade Brown back on the road to recovery.

DOD Reduces Health Care Waste by Reusing Crutches

Article
12/15/2022
Military personnel using crutches

When military facilities faced a national shortage of an essential mobility aid, they launched a grassroots initiative that not only ensured patient care, but also created a new waste reduction model within the DHA.

Striking Out With Adaptive Reconditioning

Article Around MHS
12/15/2022
Military personnel at bowling alley

Debilitating injuries can end livelihoods - including Military careers. Meet the Soldiers who find healing - physical and emotional - by enjoying one of America's favorite pastimes.

Marine Corps Veteran Stays Connected Through Service

Article
12/14/2022
Marine Corps veteran Adam Foutz with family

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Adam Foutz's calls on his life experiences, his faith, and determination to continue his service to the military and veteran community.

MHS Leader Davison Reflects on New Path for Pain Management

Article
12/9/2022
A U.S. service member gets treated for chronic knee pain

MHS pain management enters new era with a broader approach to pain care than traditional methods.

As a Military Family, We Do What We Do with Faith, Hope, Love, and Prayers

Article Around MHS
12/8/2022
Capt. Luis Avilla with his family.

The average military family could relocate ten times or more. There are changes in schools, jobs, and homes. But that's the easy part. See how one military family, like so many others, held it together when the going got very tough.

Warrior Care: The Military Adaptive Sports Program

Video
12/7/2022
Warrior Care: The Military Adaptive Sports Program

Meet Coach Patrick Johnson, a veteran of the U.S. Navy who medically retired 13 years ago. Today he helps run Walter Reed's military adaptive sports program and coaches multiple crew teams in the National Capital Region. To learn more about military adaptive sports program, visit health.mil/warriorcare.

Retiring Wounded Warrior Continues to Serve His Military Community

Article
12/6/2022
U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Blake Conley and family

Despite a career-ending cancer diagnosis, U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Blake Conley prepares to retire after more than 20 years serving his nation with a positive outlook and a desire to keep serving.

DoDI 1332.18: Disability Evaluation System (DES)

Policy

This instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for referral, evaluation, return to duty, separation, or retirement of Service members for disability

  • Identification #: DoDI 1332.18
  • Date: 11/10/2022
  • Type: Instructions
  • Topics: Warrior Care
Page 1 of 6 , showing items 1 - 15
First < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > Last 
Refine your search

What's Trending

Last Updated: December 29, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery