Warrior Transition Battalion Ribbon Cutting marks completion of 4 year construction project

An official ribbon cutting ceremony took place May 14 at the Warrior Transition Battalion Complex across from Guthrie Clinic. The event marked the culmination of a four-year, multi-phased construction project, overseen by the NY District, US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Drum Public Works, and U.S. Army Medical Department Activity Logistics/Facilities Division.

With more than 100 guests attending, the outdoor ceremony's sequence of events included a welcome, invocation, guest speakers Col. John. R. Boule, III, Commander, NYUSACE, Maj. Gen. Mark A. Milley, Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division (L) and Fort Drum, and Congressman Bill Owens, Representative 23rd District New York.

"We know the importance of the welcome homes to Soldiers by the community after serving their country," said Boule. "...The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prides itself in 'Building Strong' in the community we serve. We are proud of our agency doing its part for warriors in transition... that we are helping to open the door for wounded Soldiers to work through the healing process."

Milley addressed the group next.

"One of the things that will improve will be the care of the Soldiers and their access, ease of access to a variety of systems that will be available in essentially one spot," said the general. "We've gone from a capability that was dispersed and not super well-coordinated ... to now it's coordinated; it's all on one campus."

"Leadership is fundamental, and we've got to constantly be vigilant that we have good leaders in positions that are looking after the welfare of our Soldiers. It's not done because a bunch of brick and mortar is thrown up," he said.

Owens followed.

"This to me represents how we measure ourselves as Americans," he said. "We can support the mission, and more importantly, take care of the injured that come here and need our assistance. "It's very important that we stay on top of the execution of plans and programs of this facility."

Following remarks, Owens, Milley, Boule, MEDDAC Commander Col. Mark W. Thompson and 3-85 Mountain Infantry (WTU) Commander, Lt. Col. Celia FlorCruz, took part in the ribbon cutting.

According to MEDDAC Logistics information, the $52 million WTB Complex is located across from Guthrie Clinic which provides many of the services required by the WTU Soldier. The complex consists of a 200-person barracks, a two-company administration facility Headquarters Company building, and a Soldier and Family Assistance Center.

The barracks provide three 2-person suites that are American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and all other barrack suites are ADA compatible (or configured to be easily converted to ADA compatible).

The newly completed Soldier Family Assistance Center provides space for counseling and assistance with education, finance, human resources, military and veteran benefits, social services and Army Wounded Warrior Programs.

The battalion Headquarters, not co-located in the battalion complex, provides administrative support and command and control of the WTB.

When asked what the official opening and completion of the WTB Complex meant to him, Col. Thompson said this:

"Completion of this facility signifies our commitment to continue to provide the best care possible to our wounded, ill and injured Soldiers both today and into the future. The co-location of these capabilities allows us to continue to improve on meeting the needs that each individual Soldier and their Family presents as they make the journey as a Warrior in Transition."

Lt. Col. FlorCruz also took time to comment: "The completion of these buildings is symbolic of the nation's loyalty to American Soldiers and their Families. They are designed specifically to facilitate comprehensive transition back to healthy lives," she concluded.

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