April 20, 2007: The U.S. Marine Corps has established a unique new unit, the Wounded Warrior Regiment. There will be two battalions, one on the east coast and one on the west coast. This effort grows out of a marine innovation from last year, of assigning wounded marines to units that could help them recover. That was simple solution for problems some wounded marines, recuperating in the United States, had in getting bureaucratic problems fixed. In the past, marines wounded overseas, and sent to hospitals back home for extended treatment, were still considered part of their units back in the combat zone. A year ago, the rules were changed to make the wounded marines temporarily assigned to the hospital they were in, even though they still were, technically, members of their combat unit overseas. This didn't solve the problem, so Marines were allowed to temporarily join any nearby marine unit (active duty or reserve). This made it a lot easier to solve any problems with pay or benefits. Previously, such problems required communication with the marine unit overseas. Even with email and cheap phone calls, this was quite a chore, and a bit much for a recuperating marine to handle. By transferring these administrative chores to a nearby unit, it was much easier to clear up problems. About a thousand marines were eligible for this new procedure. Now, the new Wounded Warrior Regiment will have a staff that specializes in the kinds of administrative problems wounded marines encounter, and quick solutions for all marines that need them.