Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 10:43 AM
Subject: FROM THE CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS WRAMC

I have had enough and am going to give my perspective on the news about Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Please understand that I am speaking for myself and I am responsible for my thoughts alone. The news media and politicians are making it sound like Walter Reed is a terrible place and the staff here has been abusing our brave wounded soldiers; what a bunch of bull!

I am completing my 24th year of service in the Army next month so you decide for yourself if I have the experience to write about this topic. I have been the senior clinical chaplain at Walter Reed for four years and will leave to go back to the infantry this summer. I supervise the chaplain staff inside Walter Reed that cares for the 200 inpatients, the 650+ daily outpatients from the war who come to us for medical care, the 4000+ staff, and over 3000 soldiers and their families that come for clinical appointments daily.

Walter Reed has cared for over 5500 wounded from the war. I cannot count the number of sick and non-battle injured that have come through over that timeframe. The staff at this facility has done an incredible job at the largest US military medical center with the worst injured of the war. We have cared for over 400 amputees and their families. I am privileged to serve the wounded, their families, and our staff.

When the news about building 18 broke I was on leave. I was in shock when the news broke. We in the chaplains office in Walter Reed, as well as the majority of people at Walter Reed, did not know anyone was in building 18. I didn't even know we had a building 18. How can that happen? Walter Reed is over 100 acres of 66 buildings on two installations. Building 18 is not on the installation of Walter Reed and was believed to be closed years ago by our department.

The fact that some leaders in the medical brigade that is in charge of the outpatients put soldiers in there is terrible. That is why the company commander, first sergeant, and a group of platoon leaders and platoon sergeants were relieved immediately. They failed their soldiers and the Army. The commanding general was later relieved (more about this) and his sergeant major has been told to move on--if he gets to. The brigade sergeant major was relieved and more relief's are sure to come and need to.

As any leader knows, if you do not take care of soldiers, lie, and then try to cover it up, you are not worthy of the commission you hold and should be sent packing. I have no issue, and am actually proud, that they did relieve the leaders they found who knew of the terrible conditions some of our outpatients were enduring. The media is making it sound like these conditions are rampant at Walter Reed and nothing could be further from the truth. We need improvements and will now get them. I hate it that it took this to make it happen.

The Army and the media made MG Weightman, our CG, out to be the problem and fired him. This was a great injustice. He was only here for six months, is responsible for military medical care in the 20 Northeast states, wears four "hats" of responsibilities, and relies on his subordinate leaders to know what is happening in their areas of responsibilities. He has a colonel that runs the hospital (my hospital commander), a colonel that runs the medical brigade (where the outpatient wounded are assigned and supposedly cared for), and a colonel that is responsible to run the garrison and installation.

What people don't know is that he was making many changes as he became aware of them and had requested money to fix other places on the installation. The Army did not come through until four months after he asked for the money, remember that he was here only six months, which was only days before they relieved him. His leaders responsible for outpatient care did not tell him about conditions in building 18. He has been an incredible leader who really cares about the wounded, their families, and our staff. I cannot say the same about a former commander, who was my first commander here at Walter Reed, and definitely knew about many problems and is in the position to fix them and he did not.

MG Weightman also should not be held responsible for the military's unjust and inefficient medical board system and the problems in the VA system. We lost a great leader and passionate man who showed he had the guts to make changes and was doing so when he was made the scapegoat for others.

What I am furious about is that the media is making it sound like all of Walter Reed is like building 18. Nothing could be further from the truth. No system is perfect but the medical staff provides great care in this hospital. What needs to be addressed, and finally will, is the bureaucratic garbage that all soldiers are put through going into medical boards and medical retirements. Congress is finally giving the money that people have asked for at Walter Reed for years to fix places on the installations and address shortcomings. What they don't want you to know is Congress caused many problems by the BRAC process saying they were closing Walter Reed.

We cannot keep nor attract all the quality people we need at Walter Reed when they know this place will close in several years and they are not promised a job at the new hospital. Then they did this thing call A76 where they fired many of the workers here for a company of contractors, IAP, to get a contract to provide care outside the hospital proper. The company, which is responsible for maintenance, only hired half the number of people as there were originally assigned to maintenance areas to save money. Walter Reed leadership fought the A76 and BRAC process for years, but lost. Congress instituted the BRAC and A76 process; not the leadership of Walter Reed.

What I wish everyone would also hear is that for every horror story we are now hearing about in the media that truly needs to be addressed, you are not hearing about the hundreds of other wounded and injured soldiers who tell a story of great care they received. You are not hearing about the incredibly high morale of our troops and the fact that most of them want to go back, be with their teammates, and finish the job properly. You should be very proud of the wounded troopers we have at Walter Reed. They make me so proud to be in the Army and I will fight to get their story out.

I want you to hear the whole story because our wounded, their families, our Army, and the nation need to know that many in the media and select politicians have an agenda. Forget agendas and make the changes that have been needed for years to fix problems in every military hospital and the VA system. The poor leaders will be identified and sent packing and good riddance to them. I wish the same could be said for the politicians and media personalities who are also responsible but now want it to look like they are very concerned. Where have they been for the last four years? I am ashamed of what they all did and the pain it has caused many to think that everyone is like that.

Please know that you are not hearing the whole story. Please know that there are thousands of dedicated soldiers and civilian medical staff caring for your soldiers and their families. When I leave here I will end up deploying. When soldiers in my division have to go to Walter Reed from the battlefield, I know they will get great medical care. I pray that you know the same thing.

God bless all our troops and their families wherever they may be. God bless you all,

Chaplain John L. Kallerson
Senior Chaplain Clinician
Walter Reed Army Medical Center

19 Nov 06 - I spoke to my son-in-law in Iraq. he says he is very satisfied with the Oregon Aero insert. he says it fits well, is soft and comfortable and is not too hot. the "Team Wendy" one always gave him a headache because it pressed against his temples. hope this helps. SPC JV

18 Nov 06 - They fit good and work well but the front pad is somewhat uncomfortable. SPC SC

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16 Oct 2006 - Letter to Rick Briggs, Promotions Director at OpHelmet

On Sunday, Oct the 15th I was traveling through Atlanta on my way back to Camp Atterbury for a deployment to Kosovo. We had already been gone for 2 months training, and were returning after a brief pass to visit with families before we shipped off for the remainder of the 18 month deployment. It was already a pretty emotional trip, this was the second time we had to say goodbye to our loved ones. While making my way across the terminal to my connecting flight, your daughter went out of her to stop me and thank me for my service. I excused myself for not being able to talk, being a little choked up, and continued on my way after telling her how much I appreciated the thought. A little while later, she found me in line ordering lunch for the day and we were able to talk a little about your work at Operation Helmet as well as her brother and boyfriend in Iraq.

I just wanted to take the time let you know that you've done an incredible job raising your daughter and with your work at Operation Helmet. Although I will most likely never see her again, please pass to her the knowledge that I will never forget her kind words, those two minutes she spared to show her appreciation meant the world to me. We need more patriotic Americans such as yourself and your daughter.

Sincerely, SPC Michael F.

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4 Sep 06 - I was serving in Iraq as a civilian bomb disposal contractor. On May 3rd, 2006 my convoy was hit by an IED. The bomb went off next to my truck injuring myself and one of my security team members and unfortunately killing our driver. I sustained injuries to my face requiring facial reconstruction, multiple shrapnel wounds, and tendon loss in my right arm. My doctors were extremely surprised that I had not sustained any brain damage. I was wearing a helmet outfitted with this [OH] kit. I just wanted to write a quick note saying 'thank you'. On behalf of myself, my family, and my friends: Thank You!!! Please keep up the good work.  V/R, Eric S. 

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2 Sep 06 - I thank you guys for the ways you support us out here. This ain't political for us on ground. We are doing our jobs and simply want to make it back home to our loved ones. We do get these ACH before we hit theater but there are times when they are lost and when other soldiers take them. That's when you get stuck wearing the old helmet. The pads are great but when you are missing a pad from the ACH, we do have to pay more than 100 dollars to replace them. Thank you for your support. SGT Melendez

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18 Jul 2006 - Dr Bob, A quick note from a soldier here.  I am impressed and pleased at the work you are doing.  Helmets of the old kevelar and chin strap style sucked - I'd get a headache and just take mine off.  Recently, my unit issued us all (from their own budget - amazing) the new type which you provide to troops who need them i.e. the Oregon Aero type.  They are a markedly more comfortable fit.  Of course it took me 30+ mins to put it together but I am really pleased.  I like the way it fits the occipital scull area snugly, you can not knock it off easily, its secure.  I heard your grandson was wounded.  May he have a speedy recovery.  He has my best wishes.  Keep up the good work. Spc. H. 640th ASB

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