Can a chain of command dictate when troops are to receive medical appointments?

2018-01-10T09:45:13-05:00

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2018 9:50 AM

2018-01-10T09:50:46-05:00

Chances are, the CO consulted JAG and Medical on this. Perhaps this is the COA the CO had in order to minimize those Soldiers abusing medical appointments and for a good solid accountability.

Response by SPC David Willis made Jan 10 at 2018 9:54 AM

2018-01-10T09:54:03-05:00

Not sure if that's binding or not, but guy seems like he'd be the least fun person at a party though.

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Jan 10 at 2018 10:30 AM

2018-01-10T10:30:50-05:00

The CoC can do whatever it wants -- doesn't make it right. This wouldn't have gotten to the draft level if I were around. That said, Soldiers affected by this policy can take it up the chain or IG with their issues.

The fact that this is policy letter#2 is concerning to me -- it seems good leadership (no faith in PLs and PSGs) and good lines of effective communication (WRT the training schedule and near, short and long term training calendars) would give ample time for Soldiers to identify white space for appointment scheduling -- of course there will be scheduling conflicts, but that's what cross training and man down drills are for. Additionally, if a Soldier is that important for training, he's aware that he is that important and command can make a few coordinating phone calls. REALITY CHECK: not everyone in a Troop is important like that.

If this is a legit memo, then I'd bet dollars to donuts that the cooler heads of the squadron have already addressed this "leader".

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jan 10 at 2018 10:53 AM

2018-01-10T10:53:41-05:00

This wouldn't be the approach that I would have taken, but I don't see anything in that letter jumping out as being inappropriate (from a legal standpoint). The letter appears to be a tight-fisted attempt to make sure troops work their way through the health system properly, and that they schedule appointments in a manner that doesn't unnecessarily conflict with their training schedule. He's also appearing to proactively preempt soldiers cancelling, rescheduling, or missing appointments on their own. The first two (canceling or rescheduling) are along the lines of "We want to know about it before you make changes" and the last (missing) is along the lines of "Don't create problems for the health system." The part about family members' healthcare is a little rough, but it is a command's way of saying "Don't expect for us to let you off for every little appointment your family makes. Come talk to us first."

This reads like a standard directive from a young commander in a combat arms environment. Not my cup of tea (from a leadership perspective), but nothing glaringly illegal either.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jan 10 at 2018 1:21 PM

2018-01-10T13:21:21-05:00

This isn't going that well for 2-13 CAV on Facebook and Twitter either. https://twitter.com/TheWTFNation/status/ [login to see] 94185217

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Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2018 1:09 AM

2018-01-11T01:09:10-05:00

I have been in units where they said no appointments on Monday because 'Motor Monday,' but this seems extreme. The command are not medically qualified professionals so who are they to approve or disapprove whether you need an appointment?

If they have to discuss with the soldier why he needs an appointment that sounds like they could be placing themselves in a position where they have to delve into the soldier's medical history (intentional or not), which is none of their business, and would be a HIPPA violation, which is a whole another can of worms.

This leaves me with two questions:
1. What soldier screwed around to the point where the Command was forced to write this memo?
2. Why all the faith in sick call? Appointments usually get made because sick call isn't enough. I've seen a lot of places where 99% of the time sick call's advice is 'drink water and take ibuprofen' for everything. (For that matter, I've seen a lot of shitty ERs that give the same advice, despite a person coming back three or four times with no improvement.)