Lt. Col. Gilbert Juarez of the 305th Military Intelligence Battalion outlined the important role of the TRADOC Organic Medical Support (TOMS) section in providing healthcare services to all 35F Intelligence Analyst trainees. Juarez noted how the section also advises the battalion commander on health-related issues and ways to enhance trainee performance.
Understanding the healthcare trends among trainees is crucial. For instance, almost in every training cycle, new trainees showed up with either behavioral health issues or physical injuries from their Basic Combat Training period or during transit to Arizona. Although some injuries tend to heal rapidly and don’t need additional support, other serious ones like sprained ankles often require advanced treatment.
Being able to identify and address these issues at the earliest possible stage is essential. The reason being that the advanced individual training (AIT) program is rigorous and can exacerbate any existing medical conditions. To address this challenge, the battalion’s TOMS team partnered with behavioral health professionals, holistic health and fitness coaches, and therapists. They combined their expertise to develop a strategic plan to promptly address these concerns, called the Warrior Checkpoint initiative.
The Warrior Checkpoint initiative’s primary goal is to prevent further injuries and address behavioral health conditions even before they become a crisis. Just like traffic law enforcement officers stop to inspect and ensure all drivers are prepared to continue safely, this initiative ensures incoming AIT Soldiers are well-screened for issues that could impact their time in AIT.
On an annual basis, the battalion trains about 1000 to 1500 Soldiers. They are dedicated to addressing these issues before they escalate into problems that could hinder the training process. The Warrior Checkpoint initiative offers a comprehensive combination of preventative care, holistic healing, and conventional treatment. It empowers Soldiers to take charge of their own health and wellbeing.
The effectiveness of the initiative is already being felt. Without it, Soldiers suffered from inadequate care, leading to more serious injuries, loss of valuable training time, and more medical encounters. But with the implementation of the Warrior Checkpoint, a more comprehensive and effective five-step process has been put in place for newly arriving Soldiers.
The process begins on day one of in-processing at the battalion. The TOMS team ensures that the MEDPROs records of Soldiers are accurate and complete, conducts behavioral health and injury screenings, and coordinates any necessary follow-up treatment.
Notably, the Warrior Checkpoint is not just a one-time procedure – it forms part of a larger strategy to offer constant support and monitoring for Soldiers throughout AIT. Its proactive nature accentuates the importance of education and awareness in equipping Soldiers with the necessary knowledge on preventive measures, stress management, and the significance of seeking help for behavioral health issues.
A year has passed since the introduction of the Warrior Checkpoint, and noteworthy progress has been made. Throughout the year, the TOMS team has screened over 1,000 Soldiers and has refined treatment methods based on the collected data. The findings indicate that on average, 15 out of every 100 Soldiers arrive with some form of mental or physical issue.
These measures have resulted in fewer limited-duty profiles, less medical encounters, and reduced training days lost for each Soldier. This has allowed each Soldier to optimize their training and performance while the command makes informed decisions about the physical readiness of every Soldier based on collected data.
The Warrior Checkpoint initiative continues to prove its importance, with every Soldier enrolling for the course knowing they have a dedicated team that genuinely cares about their health and is ready to help even before they embark on their training.
