News

Program allows wounded Soldier to recover at Robins

  • Published
  • By Holly Birchfield
  • 78th ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, Ga. --  Sergeant Joe Krummert, a paratrooper assigned to the 1230th Transportation Company in the Georgia Army National Guard at Bainbridge, Ga., was riding in an armored vehicle in Iraq when an accident caused by a roadside improvised explosive device turned his world upside down.

Sergeant Krummert sustained a fractured T-10 vertebrae and ruptured three discs in his back in the accident.

The injury could've sent the sergeant to a medical holdover location for recovery far from his family in Kathleen, Ga. Fortunately, after getting treatment at several medical facilities overseas, Sergeant Krummert was able to get treatment at Robins through the Community Based Healthcare Organization based in Orlando, Fla.

Staff Sgt. Alfredo Serrano, platoon sergeant for the CBHCO, said the program was established in 2004 to provide a medical holdover for Reserve and Army National Guard soldiers injured during mobilization or training while overseas.

"Instead of keeping the soldier at an active duty/Reserve station while they get their medical observation, the program was designed to bring the soldier home and still provide the medical attention they need," he said.

For Sergeant Krummert, a 48-year-old father of two, that meant working as an individual mobilization augmentee for the 78th Mission Support Group's Services Division, while he receives physical therapy and other treatment from the 78th Medical Group at Robins and other healthcare providers in the Middle Georgia community.

Mr. Krummert wears many hats. "I've operated an 18-wheel tractor trailer," he said. "I have operated forklifts in the warehouse. We transport a lot of hazardous materials. I do logistical paperwork. I've gone from sitting in logistics meetings with the 78th Air Base Wing commander to base safety."

Betty Varnadoe, Resource Management Flight chief in the 78th MSG, said the Army sergeant arrived at the base in late March and already he's become a valued member of the Air Force team.

Sergeant Krummert said he's thankful for the opportunity the CBHCO has given him.

"It's a great program for Soldiers who are in the Reserve component," he said. "It's much better healing at home with your family than it is going to a warrior transition battalion. I'm getting good healthcare at Robins. The 78th MDG has been absolutely wonderful. They're doing wonders for me as far as getting me medical treatment."

Gary Estvanko, logistics manager for the 78th MSG, said the Army sergeant is doing wonders for Robins as well.

"He's helping us with all logistics functions, which are supply, distribution, maintenance, inspections, warehousing and environmental. It's going great," he said.

Mr. Estvanko said having the extra help has been a blessing.

"He was a very welcomed addition to our crew," he said. "He has really exceeded our expectations and been a great help in getting a lot accomplished that one person just couldn't do by himself."

Sergeant Krummert joined the ARNG through the Blue to Green program 18 years ago, so he's no stranger to the Air Force. He served as a security forces member in the former 116th Bomb Wing for three years before joining the Georgia Army National Guard in 2004.

Sergeant Krummert said his return to Robins was nothing short of a miracle.

"I want to thank every one who played a role in providing me the opportunity to help the members of the Services Division while giving me the chance to fully recover near my family," he said.