Since 1994, Walking Shield has participated in a unique civil-military collaborative program. Walking Shield assists with the integration of combined civil-military activities through the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program. The IRT program utilizes military expertise to address the inadequate healthcare, infrastructure, and housing on American Indian reservations. IRT projects enhance unit training and readiness, while filling a community need that is not otherwise being met. Through IRT, Walking Shield brings military reserve units to reservations to assist with healthcare and infrastructure support.
Medical / Dental Support Program
Hundreds of Army, Air Force and National Guard doctors, dentists, and nurses are deployed annually in support of Walking Shield’s Medical/Dental Support Program. The military has provided more than 80,000 American Indians with invaluable services and expertise such as the following:
- Minor surgery
- Immunizations
- X-rays
- Health Education
- Physical Therapy
- Podiatry
- Pharmacy
- Nutritional Services
- Mental Health Services
- Medical Recordkeeping
- Oral Health Education
- Extractions
- Bonding
- Cleanings
- Fillings
If you are interested in learning more about the Medical/Dental Support program, please contact: Amanda Roggow, M.S.W., Program Manager.
Infrastructure Support Program
Infrastructure IRT projects have developed over 900 miles of roads, drilled dozens of water wells, and installed several miles of new sewer and water lines to improve existing infrastructure conditions on Indian reservations.
Joint U.S. military construction task forces consisting of Army Combat Engineers, Navy Seabees, Air Force Civil Engineers, and National Guard Units have combined their talents to build entire new communities on some of our nation’s reservations.
Support for these projects involves the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (housing support) the Department of Agriculture (rural utilities), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (roads), and the Indian Health Service (water and sewer hook-ups). Support often also involves the Army, the Navy, the National Guard and the Air Force, all collaborating in partnership with Walking Shield and tribal leaders. Past Infrastructure projects have included:
- Masonry
- New Home Construction
- Pre-Engineered Buildings
- Roadways
- Earthwork
- Well Drilling
- Steelwork
- Engineering Surveys
- Environmental Assessments
- Concrete
- Roofing
- Heavy Timber Construction
- Plumbing and Pipeline Installation
- Sewer
- Lighting
- Limited Power
- Light Frame
To date, the IRT partnership with Walking Shield has coordinated over a hundred projects on reservations. Contact Marvin Thurman if you would like further information regarding the Infrastructure Support Program.
Housing Relocation Program
To address the chronic overcrowding and homelessness facing American Indian reservations, in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force, Walking Shield has provided more than 1,000 housing units to over 6,000 American Indians on numerous reservations in the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.
Excess housing units from the Grand Forks, Minot, and Malmstrom Air Force bases are donated to Walking Shield’s Housing Relocation Program. These units are then relocated to local Indian reservations in need. This cost-efficient effort supplies quality, safe, housing options, while eliminating the demolition and waste management burden for the military.
Contact Marvin Thurman if you would like further information regarding the Housing Relocation Program.
