Resource Guide

Wounded warrior pay cell dedicated for service

  • Published
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As the numbers of combat-injured Airmen have grown during the past few years, Air Force Wounded Warrior Program officials have built a support infrastructure they rely on to help handle the many complex non-medical issues wounded warriors face.

When Airmen are injured, every aspect of their life is impacted. Things they would normally take for granted now require expert hands-on involvement to make sure nothing goes awry. The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program staff here - assigned to the Air Force Personnel Center - serves as the hub for the many agencies involved in caring for wounded warrior special needs.

One of the agencies care managers and wounded warriors call on regularly for guidance and assistance is the wounded warrior pay cell at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Indianapolis.

The pay cell, led by Todd Hansen and Brian Robinson, track a wounded warrior's pay account from the time he or she is medically evacuated from the combat zone until his or her full return to duty or transition to civilian life.

Scott Hand, the AFW2 program's benefits and entitlements specialist, spoke with Robinson recently about the pay cell's unique role within the finance community:

Q: How would you describe what you do for the Air Force wounded warriors?

A: From the moment the Airman leaves the combat zone, we work with Air Force personnel to ensure that pay and other entitlements don't become things the Airman or the Airman's family needs to worry about. We strive to be there to monitor pay and pay and allowance continuation entitlements until the Airman is returned to active duty.

Q: Your team is very unique within the finance field. How did the team come together?

A: The members on our team come from different financial and systems management backgrounds. These different experiences give us a breadth of knowledge that allows us to not only provide accurate pay and customer services, but also the ability to internally cross-train, and establish a very broad network of colleagues to support us and the wounded warriors we support.

Q: Why do wounded warriors warrant special service?

A: All men and women of the military have taken a pledge to support the safety and freedom of our nation, and should all be given the best service we can offer. Clearly, our wounded warriors are injured, wounded or ill as a result of that devotion and commitment -- they have earned nothing but superior service, support and care.

Q: What is the most challenging part of your job?

A: The most challenging part of the job is that every wounded warrior case is unique. These special circumstances require, not only a comprehensive knowledge of all the intricacies of military pay policy, procedures and systems, but also the ability to establish collaborative relationships and communicate effectively with a very diverse set of support personnel and functions throughout the Air Force community to ensure we provide the best support possible.

Q: What is the most satisfying part of your job?

A: The knowledge that what we do on a daily basis has a positive impact on the life of a wounded warrior and his or her family.

Q: If you could speak with each wounded warrior personally, what would you like to say?

A: Thank you. Thank you for the sacrifices you made, and continue to make, so that all Americans can continue to be free, safe and full of hope in the country you defend. Please know that your sacrifices were not in vain and that we will not forget what they have given for the rest of us.