Naval Medical Center San Diego -- As Marines come home from Operation Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom, some are faced with injuries that can leave them wondering if they can operate and function in the workforce again.

About 45 injured Marines were treated to a “Back in Action” seminar at the Naval Medical Center San Diego April 25.

Inspired by the book, “Back in Action” by then U.S. Army Capt. David Rozelle, the seminar focused on the many opportunities available to the Marines whether they decide to stay in the military or find a job as a civilian.

“The focus of the seminar is to show the injured Marines that there are options beyond their injury,” said Staff Sgt. Shawn M. Cheney, a Marine liaison at the NMCSD.

Major Rozelle was on hand to give his accounts of how he became the first amputee in recent military history to resume a dangerous command on the same battlefield he was injured on. While in Iraq, Rozelle’s right foot was torn off by an anti-tank mine.

Rozelle told the Marines that they are not dead for a reason and that they still have a purpose in life. Since returning from Iraq, Rozelle has completed several triathlons and marathons, to include the New York City Marathon.

“It was motivating to hear about the different accounts of amputees who are still making something of their lives,” said Lance Cpl. Nels C. Brannan, who is recovering at the NMCSD. Brannan was injured in Fallujah, Iraq, by a flash bang grenade on Nov. 1, 2005, which severed his pinky finger on his left hand.

Motivational speakers such as retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Dana Bowman and Ronald P. Culberson were guest speakers at the seminar.

Bowman was a Special Forces Soldier and a member of the U.S. Army’s parachute team, the Golden Knights. More than 12 years ago, as a member of the Golden Knights, Bowman and his teammate U.S. Army Sgt. Jose Aguillo collided in midair during the team’s annual training. Bowman’s legs were severed from his body, one above the knee and one below the knee.

A motto and trademark Bowman lives by is, “It’s not the disability, it’s the ability.”

“Despite the injury you have to get back out there and overcome the obstacles,” Bowman told the Marines at the seminar, catching most of their attention with a video clip of his midair collision.

Culberson is a speaker, humorist and author of “Is Your Glass Laugh Full?” He spoke to the Marines on how to find the humor in a day filled with stress.

“With the little things in life, you have to learn to say, ‘so what,’” said Culberson. “Creating humor in your life helps avoid future problems.”

Culberson was able to make the Marines laugh with his humor but considered it a “privilege to be in front of heroes.”

Several organizations played a role in putting this event together, especially a group who call themselves the Welcoming Arms Committee, which includes the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, Lincoln Military Housing, NMCSD and many other groups.

“We hoped to bring as many resources to the Marines as possible,” said Cheri L. Barnswell, the senior program director with the San Diego Armed Services YMCA. This is the second year the seminar was brought to the Marines at the NMCSD.

Along with the seminar, a resource fair was held for the Marines and their family members as a tool to gain contact with the organizations willing to help injured servicemembers.

One of the many groups present at the resource fair was the Military Severely Injured Center, which handed out information to the Marines and their families.

The mission of the Military Severely Injured Center is to prepare severely injured servicemembers to return to duty or to reintegrate successfully into their home towns.

The center helps provide personalized assistance, tailored to meet an individual’s and/or family member’s unique needs during recovery and rehabilitation.

Another group offering assistance at the fair was the Marine For Life Program, whose mission is to provide transition assistance to Marines who honorably leave active service and return to civilian life and to support injured Marines and their families.

Also available to the Marines was plenty of information on the different medical problems they might face and how to seek help.

“We are well aware that not everything will appeal to all the Marines present, but if they are able to gain a little from this seminar, we’ve done our job,” said Barnswell.

“We want to make this available to the Marines as often as possible, but we hope we can gain more attention from the surrounding units,” said Barnswell.

The San Diego Armed Services YMCA has already made plans to make a third seminar in the near future.