Amid the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, created a new socially distanced music experience for recovering soldiers.
Rock the Quad was developed by the Soldier Recovery Unit's adaptive reconditioning program, which helps recovering soldiers achieve their goals — even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is part of ARCP, which supports wounded, ill and injured soldiers as they transition back to the force or veteran status.
David Iuli, an adaptive reconditioning support specialist, used to DJ a karaoke event on Fridays for the soldiers. Karaoke was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a new music experience was developed to replace it.
Lead physical therapist Louis McGranaghan asked Iuli to play music in the quad at the SRU barracks for soldiers who were following stay-at-home orders. Iuli put his DJ skills to the test during the first Rock the Quad on April 3.
"I was expecting it to go well, but I didn't expect the soldiers to receive it as well as they did," Iuli said.
Soldiers could listen from the quad while practicing social distancing or from inside their rooms. Many chose the latter, but Army Spc. Andrew Stienquist came out and enjoyed some music and sunshine.
"It's such a good idea and it's cool to actually come out, listen to music, and chill," Stienquist said. "We all enjoy it, and it beats being cooped up in our rooms watching movies and Tiger King."
The inaugural Rock the Quad event featured R&B, hip-hop, rock 'n' roll, some Top 40 hits and music from the '70s. Some soldiers requested songs, while others sang karaoke or danced to the family-friendly tracks.
The second Rock the Quad music experience followed on April 17. An expanded event called Rock the Quad Crayfish Boil was held a few weeks later.
"The food was delicious and the music set the atmosphere to build camaraderie with everyone that attended," Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Byron Ellison said. "It was good thing these guys put together."
Rock the Quad is only the beginning. Iuli is developing a DJ class to teach soldiers the basics, such as loading music, beat-matching and transitioning. The class will provide an opportunity for soldiers to engage in an activity while social distancing.
Iuli believes Rock the Quad helps soldiers relax for a few hours and be themselves.
"I am a music lover," he said. "I find it's a way to kind of self-soothe, and it's healing."
Adaptive reconditioning programs provide activities and sports that help wounded, ill and injured soldiers to optimize their well-being, achieve their goals and return to active lifestyles. Through these virtual programs, soldiers can continue classes and programs and try new ones. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an average of 350 adaptive reconditioning activities are offered at 14 SRUs across the country every week.
The Army Warrior Care and Transition Program is now the Army Recovery Care Program. Although the name has changed, the mission remains the same: to provide quality complex case management to the Army's wounded, ill and injured soldiers.