By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd
Class Gilbert A. Bolibol
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (NNS) -- A Navy
Reservist has been chosen as the first mentor in the Colorado area for the Navy
Safe Harbor Anchor Program.
The program matches a Sailor returning
to his or her local community with a mentor that will provide local support and
assistance. Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Randy Cullen was selected
primarily based on his leadership for the past three years as the lead petty
officer for the Warrior Games located in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"The Navy Safe Harbor Anchor
Program is a program designed to help transition wounded warriors back into the
civilian sector and matching them up with a mentor in the area that they will
be residing," said Cullen.
As a Reservist, Cullen drills with
Operational Support Unit (OSU) 1914 at Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC)
Fort Carson. He was paired with Master-at-Arms Seaman Steven Hancock on July
10, 2011. Hancock sustained injuries during a tour in Dubai where he fell five
stories when the balcony that he was standing on collapsed.
Each wounded warrior is given a
questionnaire to find out his or her particular needs. Hancock used his
questionnaire to find out what type of outdoor recreation and activities were
available in the Colorado area since he was relocating from Florida. Even with
the injuries sustained in Dubai and the countless surgeries due to the
injuries, Hancock has not let that slow him down and still enjoys life with the
help of Cullen.
One of the requirements of the Anchor
program is to have the mentor contact the Sailor at least once per month for a
full year. Cullen stays in contact with Hancock well beyond the minimum
requirements.
"I contact Steven at least on a
daily basis. According to Steven, the mentor program has turned more into a
father/son relationship," Cullen said.
The relationship between Cullen and
Hancock grew as the mentorship continued.
"We talk about what he does on a
daily basis and what his short term and long term goals are," Cullen said.
"I have helped and guided him with his first new home purchase and then
helped move his belongings."
The Navy Safe Harbor Anchor Program is
unique to each individual and Cullen is proud to be a part of it.
"I love the Mentor Program, I love
being able to keep reminding wounded warriors that they are still part of the
Navy and that the Navy has not forgotten them," Cullen said.
Navy Safe Harbor is the Navy's lead
organization for coordinating the non-medical care of seriously wounded, ill
and injured Sailors, Coast Guardsmen and their family members. Navy Safe Harbor
provides a lifetime of assistance designed for the member's recovery,
rehabilitation and reintegration activities that include the Adaptive Athletic
Reconditioning program. This program includes enrollees to participate in the
Warrior Games.
Navy Safe Harbor is continuously looking
for senior mentors to volunteer to be a part of the Anchor Program to support
wounded warriors transition from the active service to the civilian
communities. To learn more about being a mentor, contact the coordinator at
703-692-2186, visit the Navy Safe Harbor web site, www.safeharbor.navy.mil or
email inquiries to safeharbor@navy.mil.
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