US Navy Veteran and TBI Survivor Ritaann Schultz—National Chairman for Traumatic Brain Injury

My fellow Veterans, it’s my honor to announce that US Navy Veteran and TBI survivor Ritaann Schultz has agreed to serve as National Chairman for Traumatic Brain Injury.

Ritaann (pronounced Rita Ann) Schultz, a proud Pittsburgh, PA native, served our nation with distinction in the United States Navy from 1974 to 1978 as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Second Class (ABH2). After completing boot camp, she attended Aviation Boatswain’s Mate School and was stationed with Patrol Squadron 30 at NAS Pax River, Maryland, and NAS Jacksonville, Florida, where she worked with the P-3 aircraft, a critical asset in the Navy’s submarine-hunting missions.

As an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Handler, Ritaann’s responsibilities on the flight line were both demanding and vital, including aircraft launching and recovery, equipment movement, firefighting, emergency operations, and securing aircraft. In 1975, she broke barriers as the first Navy enlisted woman to become NATOPS qualified as a P-3 Utility Aircrewman, earning her Navy Aircrew Wings. In this role, she handled pre- and post-flight procedures, in-flight observation, emergency duties, and aircraft refueling, once again setting a historic precedent as the first woman in this position.

Beyond her remarkable military service, Ritaann is a retired Licensed Massage Therapist and a long-time resident of Havana, Florida. She finds joy in cycling, gardening, and embracing the outdoors, reflecting her resilient and vibrant spirit. An avid cyclist, Ritaann has logged over 125,000 miles on her bike and competed in four Ironman competitions, even winning her age group as part of a four-person team in the 3,000-mile 2012 Race Across America. However, on February 3, 2015, while riding in a group, she was thrown off her bike at 30 mph and, despite wearing a helmet, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). It took five years for her injury to be properly diagnosed, during which she faced neuro-fatigue, vision, and cognitive challenges. Through her own research and persistence, Ritaann helped doctors recognize her condition and now advocates for functional therapy approaches that help brain injury survivors regain mobility, strength, and independence.

Please join me in welcoming Ritaann Schultz to Commanders Coalition, where her leadership, experience, and dedication will undoubtedly make a profound impact as our National Chairman for Traumatic Brain Injury.

About Commanders Coalition:  Commanders Coalition was founded by members of multiple Veteran Service Organizations. Commanders Coalition is becoming the leading voice for Veteran Service Organizations.  https://www.commanderscoalition.org/