Skip to Content

   

Navy Wounded Warrior RSMs and Families are in Good Hands

November 2, 2021 | Story by Gabby Bonilla | Shared via Military Health

Marine Corps veteran Dario Santana is a proud family man currently working as the Navy Wounded Warrior’s Family Program manager.

In 2006, Santana was a platoon sergeant at Walter Reed National Military Medical Clinic (WRNMMC), charged with overseeing nearly 70 combat-wounded Marines. Overtime, along with the help of other Marines, this platoon grew into the Marine Wounded Warrior Regiment, with the addition of recovering Marines’ families and caregivers.

Today, Santana continues to provide wounded, ill, and injured service members, along with their families and caregivers, with the resources to get through their recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration with the help of Navy Wounded Warrior program.

“I have a few roles since I am the Family Program manager at Navy Wounded Warrior headquarters,” Santana explained. “I work with those regions to ensure that new and current personnel are getting trained and aware of policy and procedures. When they have questions or need additional information, they come to us. I also review the Navy Wounded Warrior database, check for any irregularities or issues, and inform the team on how to fix it.”

“I’ve seen everything from caregivers asking for help with financial needs; physical, medical, mental health; and more,” he continued. “Our goal is to make sure that caregivers understand that these resources are available to them and break it down for them so they can take advantage of them. The government provides a lot of benefits, and our proactive team will assist with applications, status of applications, respite care, travel, and more.”

Through his support of wounded, ill, and injured service members, Santana has had several unique opportunities, such as supporting three Invictus Games, assisting with the annual Department of Defense Warrior Games, and even meeting Prince Harry.

“I really love being able to help people in their time of need of their lowest point,” Santana explained, as to what he enjoys most about his current role. “I joined the Marines to protect and serve my country, and I feel like I’m still doing that.”

“The Navy Wounded Warrior program has six regions throughout the nation run by admirals with their own leadership. The program is designed to assist sailors and their families with resolving non-medical hurdles, allowing service members to focus on their recovery goals and their families and caregivers to know that they are supported,” Dario said.

Navy Wounded Warrior is the Navy’s sole organization for coordinating the non-medical care of seriously wounded, ill and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen and providing resources and support to their families. Military adaptive sports programs provide opportunities for wounded, ill and injured service member to use sports 

Newsfeed

Tony Jungblut finds new life after 26 years in the US Navy through Navy Wounded Warrior. For Jungblut, the Navy Wounded Warrior program offered ways to stay active though adaptive sports and avenues to receive help and care during and after his transition to civilian life.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Swimming | From the explaining the sport’s Paralympic Games history to the different types of starts, here is a list of six facts to know about the sport.
Check out the Fall 2022 Edition of the Navy Wounded Warrior's Family Newsletter! --- October - December 2022
Join us in congratulating ITC Deatrice Sumlin! Sumlin was selected as the Navy Wounded Warrior of the Month by Navy Region Southwest for February 2022.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Shooting | From the sport’s Paralympic Games history to explaining the competition style, here is a list of three facts to know about the sport.
Check out the Spring 2022 Edition of the Navy Wounded Warrior's Family Newsletter! --- April - June 2022
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Indoor Rowing | From an overview of indoor rowing’s origins to competition style, here is a list of five facts to know about the sport.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Cycling |From the DoD Warrior Games events to the sport’s origin, here is a list of four facts to know about the sport.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Field | From the explaining the term athletics to the Paralympic Games history, here is a list of five facts to know about the sport.
Join us in congratulating LCDR (Ret.) Jeffery Dewey. Dewey was selected as the Navy Wounded Warrior of the Month by Navy Region Southwest for March 2022.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Field | From an overview of golf’s origins to your chances of getting a hole-in-one, here is a list of six facts to know about the sport.
Former Marine Sgt. Dario Santana continues his life of service by serving as the Family Program manager at Navy Wounded Warrior headquarters
Check out the Summer 2022 Edition of the Navy Wounded Warrior's Family Newsletter! --- July - September 2022
Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Tiffany Hamilton shares her personal story of her recovery journey with PTSD.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Shanice Dansby shares her journey with Navy Wounded Warrior. ---- Story shared from DVIDS.
Congratulations to MA2 Robert Orr! He was selected as Navy Region Southwest's Navy Wounded Warrior of the Month for October 2022.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Powerlifting | From the sport’s Paralympic Games history to explaining the difference between weightlifting and powerlifting, here is a list of four facts to know about the sport.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Archery | From the types of bows to sports origin, here is a list of facts to know about the sport.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Sitting Volleyball | From the sport’s origin to explaining why one team member wears a different color jersey, here is a list of four facts to know about the sport.
Congratulations to YN1 (Ret.) Lorraine Currow, who was selected as 2021 Navy Wounded Warrior of the Year by Navy Safe Harbor Foundation.
Back to top