Steve Clark was serving as a Field Artillery Soldier in Iraq when he was severely wounded and lost the use of his right arm. After recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC, Clark was back in the swing of things, working as Coordinator of the "Always a Soldier" Program at the Army Materiel Command.

Now the DoD's new Military Severely Wounded Joint Operations Center (MJOC) is also benefiting from Clark's continued service -- he sits on two committees as an advisor. Bringing a very valuable perspective and a dedication to help wounded soldiers, Clark is continuing his work with the Army, and making sure soldiers like him receive the support they deserve.

What's your background in the military?
I joined the Army right after September 11th -- I was one of those patriotic guys that had to get in there and be apart of the action. My first duty station was at Babenhausen, Germany, where I was a 13M Field Artillery Soldier. I was deployed to Iraq on March 7, 2003, and was wounded in action on October 12, 2003. I was at Walter Reed Medical Center until August 17th, 2004 -- nearly a year of recovery.

How did you end up finding the position at the Army Materiel Command?
I was having lunch with my Disabled American Veterans (DAV) representative, and since they know a lot about current programs, he told me about an opening they had at the Army Materiel Command. After I contacted them, they decided that it was a good match -- I was hired to be the program coordinator for the Army Materiel Command's "Always a Soldier" program.

So, you were using the DAV as a resource. What other resources were you using?
I was using the DAV, the VFW (Veterans of Foreign War), the American Legion, and the Disabled Soldiers Support System (DS3). Right now, there are two main resources that I have -- DS3 and the Military Severely Injured Joint Operations Center. These are the two organizations that I'm working with very closely. We're all working together to help wounded soldiers.

Is the creation of MJOC a big improvement on what was available before?
Personally, both of those organizations have helped me. When I started out, MJOC didn't exist, but DS3 did. DS3 they handled a big finance situation I had, and they still call to check up on me. MJOC is an initiative with representatives from all the services -- Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and the Coast Guard. They provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There's always someone there from each military branch to answer phone calls and make referrals.

How are all these initiatives reaching out to injured vets?
When you're injured, there's a process -- and the process is long. It's important that folks talk to the soldiers and find out what their needs are. These initiatives provide guidance and give them structure, hope, and a light at the end of the tunnel. That's what the Always a Soldier program offers. We sit down with a soldier and offer them a job while they're going through rehabilitation -- it gives them something to look forward to. We show them that the Army still wants and needs them. They still have a lot to offer.

What advice would you give transitioning troops who were in your position a year ago?
My advice is to realize that you still have so much to offer. Being wounded may close some doors, but it opens just as many, if not more. Our catch phrase is, "Stay in the Fight," and that's what I try to tell the guys and gals. These initiatives give them the opportunity to stay in the fight.