MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va., (Sept 19, 2011) — Marine reservists who are combat wounded, injured stateside or fall ill while in a duty status can be assured that they will have someone on their side. Mark Brokaw, who works at the Wounded Warrior Regiment here, wants reserve Marines to know this. Brokaw works at the Regiment as the program manager for the Reserve Medical Entitlements Determination section. Unique to the Marine Corps, the Wounded Warrior Regiment has an RMED section that tracks and manages the non-medical and medical care of wounded, ill and injured reserve Marines. 
Mark Brokaw, program manager of the Wounded Warrior Regiment's Reserve Medical Entitlements Determination section, stands outside of the Regiment's headquarters aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., with the RMED section staff on Aug 30, 2011. Photo by Aquita Brown | | From Perrysville, Ohio, Brokaw served 26 years in the Marine Corps and retired in 2008 as the sergeant major of Headquarters and Service Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.
“I saw the Wounded Warrior Regiment as my opportunity to give back to Marines,” said Brokaw.
Brokaw and his staff of twelve, which consist of Marines and sailors, maintain oversight of all reservists' cases which includes those who require medical care beyond their duty period for service-connected ailments. Although all non-medical care support offered by the Wounded Warrior Regiment is provided to reserve Marines, the RMED section specializes in specific reserve-related elements of care coordination.
“The RMED section ensures reserve Marines receive necessary treatment and timely processing through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System,” said Gunnery Sgt. | | Ralph Slaton, RMED section administrative chief. “We want each reserve Marine to be ‘worry free' of their administrative needs because their focus should be on recovering.” |
The IDES streamlines wounded, ill and injured service members' Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs benefit rating results by requiring only one physical examination and rating that serves both Departments. Prior to IDES, individuals had to complete the DoD system before entering the VA process. Brokaw, Slaton and the RMED section ensure that reserve Marines' administrative concerns are met throughout the IDES process by providing a checklist of procedures.
“This systematic process allows the RMED section to make rapid and appropriate decisions concerning all reservists' cases,” said Brokaw. The process includes facilitating medical evaluations and determining whether a Marine should be placed in the medical hold program or Line of Duty benefits program. The medical hold program is for reservists on active duty greater than 30 days who must be retained beyond their expiration of current contract for medical treatment. By Aquita Brown, Wounded Warrior Regiment
Marine Corps News
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