MICHAEL RICHARDSON
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INDEPENDENCE SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH VICE PRESIDENT
As the independence services and mental health vice president, Michael is responsible for the Independence Program (IP) and Long-Term Support Trust (LTST), as well as the Combat Stress Recovery Program (CSRP).
The IP and LTST programs provide extensive support and services to the most severely wounded, ill, or injured warriors suffering from moderate-to-severe brain injury, spinal cord injuries, or other neurological conditions, and who are most at risk of being institutionalized. CSRP provides support and services to warriors and families to address mental health needs and the key issues linked to combat stress including stigma and access to care. Prior to assuming this role, Michael served as the physical health and wellness director for Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP).
Michael began his military service in 1981 as a 17-year-old private and retired 32 years later in 2013 as a medical service corps lieutenant colonel. He last served as the director of the disability evaluation system for Army Medicine as part of the Army staff. He also commanded the Warrior Transition Battalion for Europe from 2010 to 2012, where his relationship with WWP began.
During his change of command, Michael commented: “Wounded Warrior Project was pivotal in the development of the battalion’s effective adaptive sports and fitness program, which positively affected the lives of warriors and their families – WWP helped shape the culture of the organization.”
During Michael’s career, he had numerous combat and operational deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, Kosovo, and Bosnia. Of note, during his last 15-month deployment to Iraq, Michael served as the Iraq theatre medical regulating officer and was responsible for the coordination of all patient movement within and departing from Iraq.
Michael holds a master’s degree in public administration (health) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a bachelor’s in economics from the University of Hawaii. He resides in Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife, Beth, who is an active-duty military police officer. They have two grown children: Michael II and Monique.
Michael connects, serves, and empowers warriors in his role as independence services and mental health vice president.
