by Tammy Cournoyer
Air Force Personnel Center Warrior and Family Operations Center
9/4/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- The Recovering Airmen Mentorship Program connects wounded, injured or ill Airmen who are well along in their recovery with those who are just beginning the journey.
The program is one of several implemented to help care for wounded warriors during their recovery, said Air Force Wounded Warrior Operations manager Brian Churchill.
"Assisting wounded warriors in recovery requires a team effort involving the medical and non-medical community, all operating together to provide the best possible quality and support to our wounded warriors and their families," Churchill said. "RAMP helps our Airmen mentally and emotionally deal with their situation and that's as critical to recovery and physical medicine."
RAMP mentors are not care providers, but are the voice of experience for Airmen when many doctors, nurses, and other care managers cannot truly understand what they are going through, officials said.
"A mentor is a listening ear, someone who understands and provides straight answers to some very personal and penetrating questions," said Senior Airman Michael Malarsie, program administrator and RAMP mentor.
The RAMP provides each recovering Airman with a personal wingman they can reach out to for help and understanding, and can also benefit spouses by pairing them with spouse mentors who know the loneliness and frustration of dealing with various issues during the recovery process.
Recovering Airmen interested in getting involved as a mentor and Airmen on the road to recovery, who just want to talk to someone who has "been there," can contact their regional care coordinator or the Air Force Warrior and Survivor Care office at 210-395-7121or DSN 969-7121.
For more information about wounded warrior programs and other personnel issues, visit the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil.
