Warrior Care Month: Out of the Fight, but Still Sailing

When Sailors get injured or disease takes hold, some may see it as the end: the end of a career, the end of a healthy, active lifestyle, or worse. But one Sailor sees things differently. Second Class Petty Officer Sonar Technician (STG2) Rickaiya Diggs, 40, experienced medical symptoms from various medical conditions, which put her on light duty during her ongoing treatment in 2021. That’s when she joined Project Ohana, a non-profit affiliate of Navy Wounded Warrior with enriching experiences that helped with her recovery. The following year, Diggs joined Navy Wounded Warrior, a decision, she said, that has helped her to heal her mind, body, and spirit and improve her occupational skills so she can continue to be an asset in or outside of the military. Previously known as Safe Harbor, the program offers support to active-duty Sailors, Reservists serving on active duty, and Coast Guardsmen who are wounded, ill, or injured in the line of duty or off duty. Diggs said she knew the Navy Wounded Warrior was special when she started the onboarding process where she received detail oriented, individualized attention. She urged all wounded warriors to join the program.