CSA Sends:

Many of our Soldiers injured in support of the Global War on Terror, and their families, have been enduring hardships in navigating through our medical care system. Our Army is committed to providing outstanding medical care for the men and women who have volunteered to serve this great nation.

Recent events at Walter Reed Army Medical Center have made it clear the Army needs to revise how we meet the needs of our wounded and injured Soldiers and their families. In certain cases the Soldiers' chain of command could have done a better job in helping to resolve medically related issues.

The Acting Secretary of the Army and I have directed the establishment of the "Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline" (1-800-984-8523) under the initial operational command of the US Army's Human Resources Command.

The purpose of the Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline is twofold. First, to provide wounded Soldiers and their families with a way to seek help to resolve their medical related issues. Second, to provide an information channel of Soldier medical related issues directly to senior Army leadership so they can improve the way the Army serves the medical needs of our Soldiers and their families.

The Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline will go live on Monday, 19 March, and is staffed 0700-1900 EDT Monday through Friday with personnel who will relay Soldier's concerns to senior Army leaders so that resources can be properly allocated. As additional personnel are trained on receiving calls and referring them to the right organization or agency for resolution, we will expand the hours of operation to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the hotline.

I am directing every leader within our Soldiers' chains of command from Squad Leader to Commanding General to reexamine how we support our Soldiers when issues are brought to our attention. Our wounded Soldiers and their families expect and deserve the very best care and leadership from our Army, and I am sure each of you shares our commitment to see that we deliver.

GEN Schoomaker