Sailors and Coast Guardsman may self-refer to the program or be referred by family members, command leadership or medical providers.
Eligibility
The term "wounded warrior" no longer refers only to those wounded in combat. Service members who have been seriously injured or diagnosed with a life-changing medical condition – those who are fighting different but very challenging battles – also are considered wounded warriors.
The formal Navy definition of a “wounded warrior” is any Sailor or Coast Guardsman who has a serious illness or injury requiring long-term care that may necessitate a Medical Evaluation Board/Physical Evaluation Board (MEB/PEB) to determine fitness for duty.
Navy Wounded Warrior enrollment consideration is given to:
- Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation New Dawn (OND) casualties*
- Shipboard, liberty and training accidents
- Serious illnesses
* By law, Navy Wounded Warrior is unable to support those wounded in combat operations prior to 2001.