Soldiers at Fort Sam Houston during an interactive percussion concert. Credit: Musical Bridges Around the World
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Jessica Barajas, the Adaptive Reconditioning Program Specialist for the Soldier Recovery Unit at the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, reached out to Musical Bridges Around the World in April 2024 and requested a meeting to discuss bringing live performances and workshops to the 90-130 wounded warriors who are enrolled each month, as music and art offerings are a requirement at the SRU. The wounded soldiers in the SRU face physical and mental health challenges, including: PTSD, traumatic brain injury and chronic illness. These individuals need holistic recovery support, which includes mental health interventions such as music therapy. Music has long been recognized as a therapeutic tool for soldiers recovering from trauma, offering emotional release, reduced anxiety, and cognitive stimulation.
After an initial site visit by MBAW staff soon after Ms. Barajas’ call, the decision was made to launch a pilot program. Through live performances, the pilot program has aimed to foster social connection, builds rapport, and offer mental health benefits through music.
“Music and the arts give us a way to understand the complexities of our experiences and emotions. For soldiers, this can be a profound path to healing.”
General Jim Mattis (Ret.)
26th U.S. Secretary of Defense
The program began with a kick-off interactive drum performance during SRU’s Outdoor Fitness Day on April 19th with Grammy-winning percussionist Nina Rodriguez. (top picture). The timeline followed with the following events and workshops:
The pilot timeline with the Army’s Soldier Recovery Unit continues with a scheduled Thanksgiving performance and three Christmas performances, one of which is for junior enlisted technical students unable to go home for holidays.
MBAW was also recently approached by Randolph Air Force Base’s Wounded Warriors Program to bring musical performances to upcoming events such as the 2025 Air Force Trials, Introductory CARE (Caregiver, Adaptive Sports, Resiliency, Empowerment), two employment workshops and CARE Fair. “We’re excited to collaborate with Musical Bridges Around the World, not only to help us meet our therapeutic objectives but also enhance the overall well-being of our warriors”, says Program Manager Carlos R. Villarreal, PT, DPT. Their program averages 130 new soldiers each month which will receive the program
“The Soldier Recovery Pilot Program’s dedication to providing safe recreational activities through concerts and workshops has demonstrated significant mental health benefits, particularly among wounded soldiers. Music therapy has proven to be a powerful component in our soldiers’ holistic recovery journey. Its ability to evoke positive emotions and reduce stress aligns perfectly with our mission to support our soldiers’ mental and emotional resilience during this critical time of recovery.”
Jamie Velez, PT, DPT
Soldier Recovery Unit Program Manager, Physical Therapist & Adaptive Reconditioning
In one of the drum circle workshops led by percussionist Nina Rodriguez at the SRU, we witnessed a powerful transformation. A soldier who had been withdrawn and reluctant to participate in any activities showed unexpected enthusiasm during the event. She joined the circle with a beaming smile and began to play with a confidence that surprised everyone. We later learned that she had been a drummer in high school, but had not touched an instrument since her injury. This session helped her reconnect with her love for music. For the first time in months, she found joy in something that felt familiar and empowering. The drum circle was a breakthrough moment in her recovery journey, showing the profound impact music can have on mental health and healing.
With the Soldier Recovery Unit at Brooke Army Medical Center and the expected expansion to Randolph AFB’s Wounded Warriors Program (AFW2), Musical Bridges Around the World anticipates that participation in these live performances will lead to reduced stress for soldiers, improved mood and morale, and an increased emotional resilience. Pre- and post performance survey data is also being collected to provide clear evidence of this program’s effectiveness.
While the military has expressed enthusiastic support for the pilot program and recognizes the profound therapeutic benefits it brings to their soldiers, there are significant funding needs that limit MBAW’s capacity to provide performances and workshops.
To achieve consistent, measurable results—particularly in emotional and mental impact data—and to enhance program methods, MBAW needs to hire a full-time staff member dedicated to managing the program. Currently, our Community Engagement Director oversees the pilot program along with other community initiatives, limiting the capacity required to grow the pilot into a sustainable program.
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