Though both of her grandfathers served during World War II, Elizabeth Pletcher’s family didn’t talk about it much. Watching 9/11 unfold and seeing her friends raise their right hands to defend America changed everything.
“Those who came back to Chicago after their time at war struggled. They didn’t return to a military community environment, and they struggled,” she explained. “It just so happened to be at a time when I was trying to decide what I was going to do with my life next. I had finished undergrad and was looking at going back to grad school. I knew I wanted to be in some sort of profession that involved service.”
Motivated by her friends’ experiences after the war, Pletcher decided to pursue social work and committed to devoting her life to serving the military community.
“I learned really quickly that it wasn’t as easy to find a job after getting a master’s in social work as I had hoped,” she said. “I started looking in Chicago for roles that supported the military community, and outside of the VA back then, there really wasn’t much available. There were smaller nonprofits here and there, but not enough that would take someone with no military background and no experience working with the military. I started casting a wider net and looked for jobs in Washington, D.C.”
Pletcher secured a position as a contractor with Military OneSource. For three years, she worked the phones in D.C., helping military families connect with resources and support. She thought she’d head back to Chicago with that experience, but plans changed when she was hired by General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT).
“I just celebrated 10 years as a contractor with the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence,” she said. “I started as a recovery support specialist based out of Walter Reed, covering the Northeast region. I was mostly doing transition work for people who had sustained a traumatic brain injury while serving and were now making the transition out of the military. I helped them get set up after their service was over. It was really rewarding, but I’ve since been promoted, and my current role is as a TBI products manager.”
GDIT is a global technology and professional services company that delivers consulting, technology and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Their products are vast, but Pletcher was drawn to their commitment to creating solutions for the military community.
“My role as a products manager involves taking research and turning it into products that are more easily digestible for service members and their families, so that information can reach them in a useful way,” Pletcher explained. “I manage a team of brilliant clinical and creative minds that have developed products being used throughout the military healthcare system now.”
Recently, she joined the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Healthcare and Advocacy team.
“My heart really missed that personal touch with individual veterans, and now I have that opportunity back in the work I’m doing with the CMOHS,” Pletcher shared. “It’s a special role, one that I don’t take lightly.”
For those struggling with TBIs or other issues after service, Pletcher wants them to know they aren’t alone.
“I sit in a unique position because I get to see the stories and journeys of people who had the courage to reach out and ask for help, and I see how their lives have changed,” she said. “I’d tell them that asking for help takes a lot of courage, but based on my experience, it is always the right decision. Even if it starts with just talking to your spouse or a friend, it can make a difference. Have faith that there is light at the end of the tunnel and know that resources are available. We’re here to help.”