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Wounded Warrior Lifecycle

Each U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Soldier moves through the six-phase Lifecycle of Care. Supported by the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) Triad of Care and AW2, the Army uses this cycle to anticipate what the wounded, ill and injured Soldier and his/her Family will need during each phase.
The six phases of the Wounded Warrior Lifecycle include:

  1. Evacuation and Notification: Soldiers eligible for AW2 are assigned an AW2 Advocate, who initiates contact with the AW2 Soldier and Family. The AW2 Advocate establishes a personal connection with the Soldier and Family and closely monitors their progress (Soldiers may be found eligible for AW2 at a later point within the lifecycle and will be assigned an AW2 Advocate at that time).
  2. Treatment: While the AW2 Soldier is receiving medical care, the AW2 Advocate identifies individual Soldier and Family issues and actively manages these issues while preparing them for the next phases.
    3. AW2 Soldier in Physical Training uniform
  3. Rehabilitation: When an AW2 Soldier is in rehabilitation care and reaches a point where optimal medical benefit is achieved, the AW2 Advocate coordinates with the WTU interdisciplinary team to help the Soldier and Family develop a plan of action for continuance of Army service or transition into the civilian community (e.g., utilizing an income calculator to compare possible incomes).
  4. Evaluation: The Soldier moves through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), including the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). The AW2 Advocate actively monitors the evaluation process, explains options, and assists the Soldier and Family with their Comprehensive Transition Plan (CTP) goals.
  5. Transition: The AW2 Advocate supports the AW2 Soldier in executing his/her CTP track, whether it is a successful return to the military or transition into the civilian community.
  6. Management and Support: The AW2 Advocate continues to proactively support the AW2 Soldier or Veteran and his/her Family by assisting with any new issues that they may face. In this stage of the lifecycle, the AW2 Advocate helps foster their independence and successful transition. If an AW2 Soldier transitions to Veteran status, AW2 continues to provide necessary support, ensuring a smooth transition to the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) .

For additional information on the AW2 Wounded Warrior Lifecycle, contact your AW2 Advocate or call the AW2 Contact Center.