Following Visit to Fort Carson, Udall Asks Defense Department Inspector General to Examine Post's WTU

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Mark Udall visited the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Carson to meet with soldiers and caregivers in the unit. Senator Udall, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, asked for the tour following news reports about poor conditions for the soldiers who are treated there while they rehabilitate from severe injuries, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.

As part of the tour, Senator Udall - with Congressmen Doug Lamborn and Norm Dicks who visited at the same time - spent about 90 minutes with separate groups of WTU soldiers, cadre, and clinicians in very frank discussions about their experiences and opinions.

"The Army acknowledges that it has faced some serious challenges when it comes to caring for our injured troops, especially those who have experienced brain injuries and psychological wounds. While I have seen real improvements in quality of care, I also know that many of those same challenges still exist. I'm especially concerned about reports of over-medication and substance abuse among injured service members," Senator Udall said.

"Our young men and women have a heavy burden - they're fighting two wars, often serving multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. We owe them the best care possible when they are injured," Senator Udall continued. "I will continue to use my oversight responsibility as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee to ensure the Army is constantly evaluating its progress and working to improve."

After his visit to Fort Carson, Senator Udall announced that he will be following up with several requests:

* He will ask that the ongoing Inspector General review of WTUs take a fresh look at Fort Carson's WTU, given the concerns expressed in media reports - including whether prescriptions are given to soldiers too readily.

* He reiterated a request made last July for a progress report on how the Army is implementing recommendations made by the authors of the EPICON report on homicides and other crimes allegedly involving Fort Carson soldiers.

* He reiterated another request, also made in July, for Fort Carson to be included in the Confidential Alcohol Treatment and Education Pilot program, which allows soldiers to self-refer for alcohol abuse without notifying their leadership. The pilot program has been successful at the three Army facilities where it has been implemented, and Senator Udall would like to see it expanded to include Fort Carson.

Senator Udall has been working on this issue over several years.

* In the last year, he has discussed the issue of soldier care with current and former Fort Carson leaders, Major General Mark Graham and Major General David Perkins.

* In September, he visited with the chief of behavioral health and a number of subordinate leaders on the Post to discuss psychological care for soldiers suffering from PTSD and TBI. He discussed at length about the steps that Fort Carson has been taking to help returning soldiers, including those who may not be aware that they have a problem.

* He has pressed Pentagon leaders on the subject of psychological care and other issues at Fort Carson during Senate Armed Services Committee hearings, including: Vice Chief of the Army General Peter Chiarelli, Army Secretary John McHugh, and Clifford Stanley, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

* Last year, Senators Udall and Bennet wrote to Army Surgeon General Eric Schoomaker, asking him to consider adding Fort Carson to the pilot program designed to reduce the stigma soldiers face when seeking treatment for alcohol abuse. They also asked the Army to move forward on the recommendations in the EPICON report and to provide a progress report to their offices in one year.

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