HOW WILL WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION?

   FORGE RELATIONSHIPS

We are already forging the necessary relationships to bring reform to the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) on behalf of Wounded Warriors in all branches of military service.  We will continue to meet with Department of Defense and Members of Congress to maintain forward progress.

 DRAFT LEGISLATION

We have made significant inroads with Members of Congress in both the House and Senate to collaborate on a “Wounded Warrior’s Bill of Rights”
to be included in a future NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act).

ADVOCATE FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS

We are advocating for servicemembers to be given what the regulations already afford them, by re-establishing accountability and oversight to the IDES process.  We are gathering and sharing stories, helping others navigate the process,  requesting internal investigations when necessary, and requesting “Congressionals” on behalf of fellow wounded warriors.

 IMPLEMENT SAFEGUARDS

We are calling for safeguards to be put in place to protect our wounded warriors while they are still on active duty.  These measures will restore the time-honored tradition of “open-door policy” up the chain of command and give the servicemember up to 1 year of treatment for a chance at recovery.

All these factors work together to reduce the risk of homelessness among Veterans and better position them for a successful transition to civilian life.

I still remember the day Will told me he wanted to join the military.  We were sitting on a brown leather couch in the local coffee shop I managed after college.  The radio was on and we were listening to the horrors of 9/11 being described in real time as we sat there, both feeling stirred to do something, anything.

Fast forward to 2004, when Pat Tillman was killed in action.  He was a former NFL player who sacrificed his million-dollar paycheck to serve his country in a time of war.  He joined shortly after 9/11 and his actions inspired men like my husband to do the same.  Tillman’s death reignited Will’s passion to serve, and he became a Direct Commissioned Officer in 2007, laying down all aspirations to practice Law in the private sector.  I was, and still am, so proud of his choice to wear the Army uniform.

In the 12 years that followed, our life in the military has been full of blessings and challenges.  We’ve faced multiple deployments, countless moves, made life-altering sacrifices, and endured long periods of separation. But in exchange, we’ve gained lifelong friendships, made unforgettable memories, welcomed miracle twins, matured through perseverance, and experienced incredible fulfillment in serving a worthy cause.  We don’t regret our years in service.

Beginning in  2013, upon return from deployment, we encountered a five-year period of mysterious symptoms relating to Will’s health. He had the typical fatigue during reintegration, but then it never left.  Being the fighter he is, Will pressed on through every physical set back as if it was a new challenge to be conquered.  He’d gladly give the Army everything he had 6 days a week, and he would rest on the 7^th.  That worked for a while – until it didn’t. Eventually, his body betrayed him.  His symptoms ramped up in intensity and became quite debilitating.

Will was finally diagnosed in January of 2018 with a rare disease triggered by exposure to environmental toxins in Afghanistan.  His need for medical treatment surpassed his ability to perform his duties. The JAG Corps supported us every step of the way and had Will’s best interest at heart when they moved us to Washington DC for access to better medical care.

At that point, he should have been given up to a year to recover and seek treatment, as outlined in the regulations.  Instead, he was improperly enrolled in IDES by a Doctor with no accountability… and so began our journey with the medical separation process.

We encountered everything you can think of along the way including failures of leadership, abuse of power,  partial/ignored diagnoses, bullying tactics, retaliatory measures, blatant lies, manipulations of fact, denied appeals, and a sham investigation. Please hear me when I say, we are not bitter or disgruntled, this experience simply strengthened our resolve to advocate for those that would come behind us.

We climbed the chain of command in two separate bureaucratic entities and witnessed top leaders skirt responsibility, turn a blind eye to problems, and continue to point fingers in attempts to shift the blame.  Everyone understood and recognized the dangerous gap we uncovered, but the entity tasked with managing the process, simply would not own it. 

One week that stands out in my heart and mind is the week we were given an official apology on behalf of DHA and told we were being granted the year of treatment for Will to have a chance to get better.  This meant we could exit IDES, return to work, and get the care he so desperately needed.   I am certain I did some sort of happy dance followed by tears of relief and then a quick delete of the email drafts going out to prospective employers.  For a brief moment, I could hold off on becoming the main breadwinner just a little longer and focus on getting Will healthy.

Fast forward three days later when the news we had received in writing was rescinded.  There was no expressed remorse, no apologies, and no making it right.  DHA had all the power, and they chose to abuse it.

This is not the ending we imagined when he took his oath to serve, but we remain grateful for the years Will’s body allowed him to serve this great nation.  With a new resolve, we are ready for the mission ahead.  

             Fight in the Shade,

Jennifer Ostan