USO Wounded Warrior Programs Manager Jackie Green talks to the Comfort Crew about The USO, Care Kits, and movies

Jackie Green is the USO's Wounded Warrior Programs Manager and an important partner in The Comfort Crew for Military Kids's Taking Care of You! Support for Kids of Injured Heroes program. Jackie grew up in an Air Force family, and as a typical military child, she lived in Alabama, Australia, Virginia, Colorado, and Germany.  Jackie is in the Army Reserve and has worked for the USO for 4 years.

Q: What is your role at the USO?

USO breaks ground on its first domestic Wounded Warrior and Family Center in Fort Belvoir, VA.

As the USO’s Wounded Warrior Programs Manager, my primary responsibilities involve supporting wounded, ill, or injured service members, their families, and families of the fallen. My daily responsibilities focus on a number of programs ranging from physical health and recreation, mental health programs, family strengthening, education and employment, and community reintegration. In all phases of our programs, we work with not only the wounded warrior, but the entire family. I feel fortunate enough to work for an organizations that values our wounded warriors and their families throughout their entire recovery process.

Q: You helped organized the 2011 USO Wounded Warrior and Family Caregivers Conference.  What were some of the achievements from the event?
The 2011 USO Wounded Warrior & Family Caregivers Conference was an unbelievable experience. I was honored to support such an important event that focused on caregivers and spouses of wounded warriors in the North Carolina area. The biggest achievement of the conference were bringing together local resources, subject matter experts, military leaders, and caregivers to discuss topics centered around caregiver resiliency, secondary trauma, and children’s grief.  The overall goal of the conference was to allow caregivers and spouses to know that they are not alone during their loved ones recovery, identify local support resources, and provide a forum for current concerns and suggestions for caregivers of wounded warriors.

Q: With Operation Enduring Care and the new Wounded Warrior Family Center being built at Fort Belvoir, the USO is demonstrating a concerted effort to support our wounded warriors. What are the current and upcoming USO wounded warrior programs?
This is a very exciting time for the USO! We are in the midst of completing two hospital USO Centers that are primarily dedicated to the recovery of wounded, ill, or injured troops, and their families. The two Wounded Warrior Family Centers will be the largest USO Centers in the world once they are complete. Although our USO Warrior Family Centers are new, we have been supporting wounded warriors and their families for many years. We plan to continue offering the same level of programs that already exist to many warriors and their families. With the support of our USO  Wounded Warrior National initiative and the USO of Metropolitan Washington, we will continue to support these military heroes and their families through programs including celebrity handshake tours, emergency food and housing assistance, on-site concerts by well-known entertainers, excursions, as well as therapeutic and adaptive activities. Additionally, we plan to continue our partnerships with best-in-class organizations like Hire Heroes USA, National Military Family Association, The Trevor Romain Foundation, and Rivers of Recovery.

Click the image to see the Operation Enduring Care video.

Q: The USO and The Comfort Crew recently partnered to launch the Taking Care of You! Support For Kids of Injured Soldiers comfort kit.  How do you feel these kits fit into the USO wounded warrior programs?
The Comfort Crew for Military Kids has been an unbelievable support for so many children and military families throughout the world. As the needs of our service members change, so do many of our military programs. The Taking Care of You kits are a natural fit for the current climate of our military families.  Children of wounded warriors are going through a “new normal” after their loved ones have been injured. The Care Kits completely align with the USO’s Wounded Warrior programs. Not only do these kits assist with the transition process of mom or dad being injured, but they also highlight the invisible wounds of war. The Comfort Crew has done a great job of highlighting a serious issue, but making the recovery process of a loved one relatable and approachable for children. Through the use of our USO Centers we are able to distribute the Care Kits to wounded warriors and their families throughout the world.  No matter where a child is located in the world, the Taking Care of You kit can offer a small piece of support during an often difficult time.

Q: You not only work for the USO, but you are also in the Army Reserve.  How has your service influenced your work and the way you support your fellow service members?
I am currently a Captain in the United States Army Reserve, serving in a Multifunctional Medical Battalion. Every time I wear the Army uniform, I am incredibly proud to serve my country.  Working with the USO does not allow me to become complacent, desensitized, or unaware of the injuries, deaths, and difficulties that so many of our service members and their families are going through. I know how difficult it can be when your loved one is deployed, attending trainings, or missing important events because you are serving your country.  I never forget how a small gesture of kindness, a hug, or a hot meal can make the difference to our service members. I try to go the extra mile when I am wearing the military uniform and when I am at the USO. I live by the USO’s mission, Until Everyone Comes Home. I believe I am a better soldier because I work for the USO, and I am a better USO employee because I am a soldier.

Q: Do you have a favorite book or movie that helps keep you motivated and inspired?
One of my favorite movies is a League of Their Own starring Tom Hanks and Geena Davis. The film highlights the first all female professional baseball league during the mid 1940’s. Most of the women that played in the female baseball league were spouses or widows of soldiers from WWII. Despite the difficult transition of being alone and worrying about their husbands being hurt or killed, these women picked up their boots straps and rallied together to play ball. I love that these women were resilient, but still showed their vulnerabilities. When any of the teammates were having a bad day, the ladies would step up and support their team.