Currently, close to 50 service members meet with RTR personal trainers on a monthly basis.

The RTR joined Marine Corps Community Services and Musculoskeletal Services at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton in helping service members recover from bone, muscle or joint injuries.

Service members who no longer require medical supervision, but benefit from having an exercise specialist monitor individual progress, benefit from this program, said Cari Gordonne, fitness programs supervisor, MCCS Camp Pendleton.

“Some people can go back (to full duty) after an injury as if nothing happened, and some need to relearn skill sets based on their injury,” Gordonne said.

Once a patient has completed physical therapy at MSS, a medical provider may write a referral to RTR for continued recovery treatment. Most participants will be placed on light duty status during the duration of their individual treatment to facilitate the safe increase of physical ability.

“The job of the (MSS) therapist is to get them full range of motion,” said Gordonne. “The RTR trainers’ job is to get them functioning again.”

One of 17 trainers will meet with the recovering patient several times a week at Paige Field House, 21 or 52 area fitness centers to help them relearn their body, post injury.

Some service members want to be able to do simple things like tie their own shoes, ride a motorcycle or run with their unit, said Gordonne.

Most participants will see the same trainer who monitors, and reports the patient’s progress back to the medical provider on a monthly basis.

Upward of 75 percent of participants go back to their units after six weeks on RTR, while others will get sent back for further treatment at MSS, said Gordonne.

“We’re here to support the Marines, especially when dealing with post injury,” said Gordonne.

For more information on RTR, contact Cari Gordonne at (760) 763-0657.