MANITOU SPRINGS, COLO. -- A handful of wounded warriors got the chance to better themselves Tuesday night. They received full-ride scholarships to a local college.
Five wounded Fort Carson soldiers and seven spouses of wounded soldiers are getting the scholarships. They will get free tuition and a new laptop computer so they can take their classes on-line while they continue to recover.
This is all part of an ongoing program with Colorado Technical University. Every year the school gives 25 wounded warriors a chance for a new career.
This is a time of transition for 22-year-old Spc. Andrew Trotto. He was wounded in Iraq in the battle for Sadr City.
"I got blown off a tank -- took an RPG to the gunners hatch about a half a meter away from my face," said Trotto.
He hopes to return to active duty one day if his injuries will let him.
"I lost my hearing. I have traumatic brain injury and PTSD," said Trotto
But until Trotto knows if he'll get to fight for his country again, Colorado Technical University is making sure he gets an education.
"CTU is an awesome school and I appreciate everything that they do for us," Trotto said.
Trotto is one of 12 people getting a full ride under Colorado Technical University's wounded warrior scholarship program. It's designed so they can go to school at the same time they are going through rehabilitation.
"For wounded warriors the recovery time is kind of an interesting time for them. They have kind of an uncertain future. They don’t know if they are going to be staying in the military or getting out," said James Hendrickson, VP of military education.
Trotto hopes to use his degree to help make the Army a better place for other soldiers.
"I want to get my bachelor's in criminal justice and become an officer, an MP," he said.
Trotto says he hopes to make a career out of serving his country.
So far, the Wounded Warrior Scholarship Program has given nearly $2 million in scholarships.
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