Summer - United States Special Operations Command

Navy Safe HarborTaking Care of Wounded, Ill, and Injured Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, andTheir FamiliesHM2 Debora GatzkeNavy Safe Harbor provides Sailors, CoastGuardsmen, and their Families a beacon of hopethrough non-medical support following a serious illnessor injury.Navigating the waters of recovery following aserious illness or injury is often overwhelming and exhaustingfor a servicemember and his or her Family.“Questions about pay and benefits, housingadaptation, and employability murky the waters of therecovery process,” said Commanding Officer of NavySafe Harbor, CAPT Key Watkins. “While providingbedside care for their loved-ones, Families often don’thave the resources or time to manage these arisingissues.”Seventeen Safe Harbor non-medical care managerstailor support to each enrolled servicemember’srecovery and reintegration needs. Support includes payand personnel issues, invitational travel orders, lodgingand housing adaptation, child and youth care, respitecare, recreation and leisure opportunities, transportationneeds, legal and guardianship issues, education andtraining benefits, commissary and exchange access,traumatic brain injury/post-traumatic stress supportservices, and much more.The non-medical care managers are located atseven major Navy treatment facilities throughout theUnited States, four VA polytrauma centers, BrookeArmy Medical Center, and the USSOCOM Care Coalition.The non-medical care manager located at USSO-COM assists specifically with SOF issues.This is a program that has been around for awhile, but needs to be spread within the corpsman andmedical community. We, as a whole, need to find waysto spread this wonderful opportunity to our woundedSailors and SOF Warriors.A Navy Safe Harbor representative would beglad to visit and educate Navy medical personnel on theprogram and answer any questions pertaining to theirpatients’ care.“Enrollment eligibility is not limited to combatrelatedwounds or injuries,” said Watkins. “Sailors injuredduring liberty or through shipboard accidents, aswell as those that have incurred a serious illness,whether physical or psychological, are all welcomed intoNavy Safe Harbor.”Enrollment in Safe Harbor is voluntary. Sailorsand Coast Guardsmen may be referred to Safe Harborthrough a number of advocates, including the medicaltreatment facilities medical staff, the Wounded WarriorResource Center, or their VA clinical case manager.Families and individuals may also self-enroll throughSafe Harbor’s 24/7 toll-free care line, 877-746-8563; theWebsite, www.safeharbor.navy.mil; or sending an inquiryto safeharbor@navy.mil. USSOCOM Sailors andFamilies may contact HM2 Gatzke directly at 813-826-2601 or by email at Debora.gatzke@socom.mil.Navy Safe Harbor’s goal is to return Sailors toduty and, when not possible, work collaboratively withfederal agencies including the VA, Department of Labor,and state and local organizations to ensure successfulreintegration of Sailors back into their communities.“Navy Safe Harbor support does not end at themedical treatment facilities’ door,” said Watkins. “Thekey to Safe Harbor’s success is providing servicememberswith a lifetime of care and support.”104Journal of Special Operations Medicine Volume 9, Edition 3 / Summer 09