Former Marine Sean Locker was wounded in OIF duty.

The NSWC Dahlgren Division Technical Specialist – wounded while on duty as a Marine in Iraq – impacted the packed house at the Aegis Training and Readiness Center with his riveting account of military duty in the war torn country followed by his injury, rehabilitation and transition to federal service where his knowledge and experience as a warfighter is crucial to the development of technological solutions for today’s warfighters.

Locker thanked Asymmetric Defense Department Head John Lysher ‘‘for being so proactive” in hiring wounded veterans. He also thanked the military for his rehabilitation and the advanced prosthetic devices he utilizes. The archery, hunting, and fishing enthusiast uses a special prosthetic for bow hunting.

‘‘I’m inspired,” said Margie Stevens, a member of NSWCDD Command staff. ‘‘Sean’s ‘boots on the ground’ perspective is reality. He has been there (in theater) but is now here testing and certifying systems and helping us all connect what we do to the needs of warfighters deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and out in the Fleet.”

While engaged in civil affairs work to open schools, restore sanitation systems and helping to stand up the local Iraqi police departments, the Marine was severely injured by a suicide bomber that attacked his 4-vehicle convoy.

Locker lost his left arm and took shrapnel in his face, becoming completely blind in his right eye as a result of the 2005 vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VIED) attack in Iraq where he served with the 5th Civil Affairs Group, Marine Detachment 2, Team 2 Area of Responsibility.

‘‘My goal is to make sure that every American, disabled or otherwise recognizes Dahlgren as a premier research and development facility, a workplace where all people are treated with dignity and respect – and that definitely includes our disabled Americans,” said NSWCDD Commander Capt. Sheila Patterson in her welcoming remarks. ‘‘We value each individual and strive to do everything we can to provide opportunities for everyone to reach their full personal and professional potential.”

As he convalesced at Walter Reed hospital, Locker entered the Operation Warfighter program, reporting to NSWCDD’s Asymmetric Defense Department with another injured warrior – Army Medic Tony Mervyn – in 2006.

‘‘Sean and Tony were immediately able to convert their military knowledge to help bridge the gap between military and civilian mission perspectives, enhancing our overall understanding and translation of operational requirements,” said Lysher. ‘‘From a warfighter’s vantage point they continue to help us make more accurate evaluations and assessments of urgently needed technology solutions.”

Locker informed the audience about programs such as: Project Healing Waters, which provides opportunities for disabled vets to go fly fishing; the Yellow Ribbon Fund that offers wounded veterans a variety of services from mentoring and internship opportunities to hunting and fishing treks; and the Wounded Warrior Project that features skiing and rock climbing trips as well as innovative new approaches to helping our wounded warriors.

‘‘The disabled do the same things, only differently,” according to comments made in a Walter Reed Army Medical Center video the audience watched.

The video showed disabled vets engaged in activities such as running, shooting and cooking with eggs. The audience also saw a picture of Locker and his bow.

‘‘I won’t let my disability make me miss my chances,” said Locker.

Since he was medically retired from active duty, Locker provided technical support and operational expertise to the Joint Counter Radio Controlled IED Electronic Warfare (JCREW) program and to efforts to develop improved tactical communications capabilities for Marines on the battlefield.

President George Bush awarded Locker the Purple Heart at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He is also a recipient of the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with V (Valor), the NSWCDD Technology-to-Sea Award, and the NSWCDD Award of Merit for Group Achievement.

Operation Warfighter is a temporary assignment and internship program for service members that are undergoing therapy at military treatment facilities in the United States. The program is designed to provide recuperating Service members with meaningful activity outside of the hospital environment that assists in their wellness and offers a formal means of transition back to the military or civilian workforce.

The Naval Warfare Centers are determined to identify meaningful work opportunities for service members receiving medical care or on medical hold at Walter Reed Army Hospital or Bethesda Naval Hospital. Temporary assignments are presented to candidates as an opportunity to explore their employment interests and abilities, develop job skills and gain valuable federal government work experience that will help prepare them for the future.

The talent, dedication, and military and non-military skills of recuperating service members also helps the Warfare Center prepare for the future by closing the gap between abstract technological development and the real needs of warfighters.

EDITOR’s NOTES: The Operation Warfighter Program is open to Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve components, Operation Warfighter represents a great opportunity for Service members in a medical hold status to build their resumes, explore employment interests, develop job skills, and gain valuable federal government work experience that will prepare them for the future. The program simultaneously enables participating federal agencies to avail themselves of the considerable talent and dedication of these recuperating Service members. Web site: http:⁄⁄www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil⁄operationwarfighter

The Yellow Ribbon Fund's Mentor⁄Intern Program offers service members the following: (1) an opportunity to use their free time to learn job skills with a local company and to have meaningful interaction with the civilian business community (2) if appropriate, more formal training on the job, in a local business or at a technical institution (3) as required, transportation to and from the job or training site (4) mentors and friends who care. Website: http:⁄⁄www.yellowribbonfund.com⁄about⁄about.cfm

The Wounded Warrior Project’s mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. The program does this by raising awareness and enlisting the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women; helps severely injured service members aid and assist each other; and provides unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of severly injured service members. Web site: https:⁄⁄www.woundedwarriorproject.org⁄content⁄view⁄412⁄875⁄