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Laura Wheeler

COL, USA (Ret.)
Director of Program Operations, National Guard Program, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University

COL (Ret.) Laura Wheeler is currently serving as the Director of Program Operations for the National Guard Bureau Program at CSTS. She served as the Deputy Project Director & Army National Guard Senior Advisor, Study to Assess risk and Resilience in Servicemembers – Longitudinal Study (STARRS-LS) and the Secretary of the Army-Directed Army Suicide Prevention Leadership Tool: The Behavioral Health Readiness and Suicide Risk Reduction Review (R4) Study. She previously served as the Chief Behavioral Health Officer for the Army National Guard (ARNG) and as the principal advisor to the Chief Surgeon, ARNG, on all behavioral health matters. She planned, directed and administered programs and services relating to clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and behavioral health specialists (68X). COL (Ret.) Wheeler was instrumental in the development of a Psychological Health program for the ARNG in all 54 States, Territories, and the District of Columbia. She represented the ARNG and served as a SME on numerous strategic DOW working groups on: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Psychological Health, Resiliency, Re-integration, Suicide Prevention, Standards of Care, Neurocognitive Assessment, Family Wellness, Directors of Psychological Health, and Deployment Cycle Assessments (PHA, PDHA, PDHRA). Provided technical/clinical oversight and strategic direction in behavioral health domains. Consulted and collaborated with Office of the ASD HA, OTSG, and US Army Reserve Command in policy development. Prior to these assignments, COL (Ret.) Wheeler was enlisted with the Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG), served on active duty in 1989 as a commissioned Behavioral Health Officer, returned to the HIARNG in 1995. She served in several positions as well as being the C Medical Company Commander for several years and as a dual status technician as the State Family Program Director. COL(Ret.) Wheeler served with Joint Task Force Bravo/Honduras and with Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004-2006. In 2009, She went back on active duty from 2009-2016 serving the Army National Guard and 2017-2025 with STARRS.

AWARDS & DECORATIONS
• Legion of Merit (2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Meritorious Service Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Army Achievement Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Humanitarian Service Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with “M” Device)
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Parachutist Badge
• Army Staff Identification Badge