Heroes Helping Heroes

GUEST POST

Heroes Helping Heroes
Teresa Guzik
February 4, 2014

Harry Louque - ServiceSource Warrior Bridge: Heroes Helping Heroes
SSG (RET) Harry V. Louque, a medically retired Staff Sergeant who served combat tours in both Iraq and Kuwait. While in Iraq, Louque sustained multiple injuries that resulted in him being medically evacuated and later, medically retired from the Army. In the two years after his transition back to civilian life, Louque was diagnosed with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to his service, which he sought treatment for before setting his sights on reintegrating into the civilian workforce.

Louque began working with a career specialist who directed him to ServiceSource’s Warrior Bridge program. ServiceSource is a non-profit disability resource organization that provides a range of customized programs and supports for individuals with disabilities and their families, from employment and job placement to training, habilitation and housing. Through its Warrior Bridge program, ServiceSource provides employment services and other supports to wounded, ill and injured veterans as they transition out of the military and into civilian life.

ServiceSource hired Louque to work on a contract through the AbilityOne Program that involved closing out federal government contracts with a team of other veterans with disabilities. At the beginning of his time with ServiceSource, Louque was still struggling with PTSD and had sporadic work attendance. Concerned, ServiceSource asked for a meeting with Harry and his career specialist. Louque explained his debilitating fear and his inability to even leave his house some days. ServiceSource worked with him to put together a schedule and program that accommodated his needs and would ease him back into the work force.

Louque was able to work with other veterans at ServiceSource, which created a more comfortable environment where he was able to thrive. He was promoted within ServiceSource then eventually received an outside job offer. Using the skills and confidence he gained with ServiceSource, Harry is now working as an associate contract administrator at National Industries for the Blind in Alexandria, VA.

“ServiceSource stuck by me and did all they could to help support me in a situation where most employers would have cut their losses,” Louque said. Louque remains connected to the Warrior Bridge program and is serving as a mentor to other veterans struggling with the transition from military to civilian life. His goal is to help and inspire other veterans suffering from PTSD the way that ServiceSource was able to help him.

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ServiceSource

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