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Updated 05/14/2012 06:44 PM

Fort Drum opens Warrior Transition Battalion Complex

Earlier this year, the Department of Defense Inspector General released a report that outlined a number of problems with Wounded Warrior care on Fort Drum. But since the investigation, Drum says it has corrected just about all of the issues and is working to make sure they don't happen again. As Brian Dwyer reports, a big part of the improvement process was unveiled Monday.

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FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Everything from over prescribing and lack of leadership to the care itself. Fort Drum was hammered for its care of Wounded Warriors in a 114 page report released earlier this year.

But since the investigation, Drum leadership says it's on the way to correcting every issue it can. And part of it is this brand new Warrior Transition Battalion Complex.

"I think leadership is fundamental," Fort Drum Commanding General Mark Milley said. "We've got to constantly, constantly be vigilant that we have good leaders in positions that are looking after the welfare of our soldiers."

As Fort Drum cut the ribbon on the complex Monday, Milley said he is very confident in the current group of leaders including MEDDAC Commander Colonel Mark Thompson who was not in charge when the investigation happened.

"We, as a medical community and as a leadership community, have to be attune that there are 300 different individuals here and each of them are going to have their own separate needs and their families are going to have their own needs that we need to try to help them fulfill," Col. Thompson said.

The $52 million complex features a 144 person barracks, a soldier and family assistance center, administration buildings and more. There's extra emphasis on synchronizing care and helping soldiers either get back to the Army or back to civilian life. There's confidence outside the gates as well.

"That's a very important part, that we make sure we stay on top of the execution of plans and programs of this facility," Congressman Bill Owens said.

The Soldier Family Assistance Center also dives into helping with counseling and a variety of military and veteran benefits.

The complex is across the street from the Guthrie Health Clinic, which helps wounded soldiers with many of their medical care needs.