Posted on Oct 22, 2015
Can a commander force spouses to vet their medical appointments through the FRG?
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While a part of our Battalion is gearing to deploy, the unofficial word through the FRG channels is disconcerting....all spouses (rear det. personnel and deployed personnel) will be required to "vet" their medical appointments with the FRG, and not only that, but if they ever need a ride (too sick to drive, car broke, etc.) they can only be driven by another FRG volunteer spouse.
While the driving part makes a little bit of sense for those spouses who are deployed, they can still choose to be driven by a friend, a neighbor, a family member staying with them, etc. So why the "FRG drivers only"? .
What makes no sense is to try to force spouses to have to "check with the FRG" whenever they need a medical appointment. What the F*(K is that about?. Inform the FRG AFTER the appointment is made so the CoC is tracking for deployed soldiers...sure, that makes sense...but having to go through the FRG to even get an appointment? Ridiculous.
Or to prohibit soldiers in rear det. to take their spouses to the doctor whenever they need it? I'm sorry but my wife is still not 100% Cancer free, she has had a heart attack since arriving to this post 8 months ago, and other serious medical conditions that me, as her husband, have both the right and the obligation to be there for her. Not some unknown FRG person, just because a Commander deemed it so.
Last I checked FRG is voluntary for spouses, civilian spouses are NOT bound by UCMJ, civilian spouses DO NOT have a chain of command, and finally civilian spouses do have medical privacy rights, and basic privacy rights.
Any JAG or IG person that cares to offer an opinion on this silliness?
While the driving part makes a little bit of sense for those spouses who are deployed, they can still choose to be driven by a friend, a neighbor, a family member staying with them, etc. So why the "FRG drivers only"? .
What makes no sense is to try to force spouses to have to "check with the FRG" whenever they need a medical appointment. What the F*(K is that about?. Inform the FRG AFTER the appointment is made so the CoC is tracking for deployed soldiers...sure, that makes sense...but having to go through the FRG to even get an appointment? Ridiculous.
Or to prohibit soldiers in rear det. to take their spouses to the doctor whenever they need it? I'm sorry but my wife is still not 100% Cancer free, she has had a heart attack since arriving to this post 8 months ago, and other serious medical conditions that me, as her husband, have both the right and the obligation to be there for her. Not some unknown FRG person, just because a Commander deemed it so.
Last I checked FRG is voluntary for spouses, civilian spouses are NOT bound by UCMJ, civilian spouses DO NOT have a chain of command, and finally civilian spouses do have medical privacy rights, and basic privacy rights.
Any JAG or IG person that cares to offer an opinion on this silliness?
Posted in these groups: 
FRG
FRG
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 15
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SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA - Sounds like somebody is overstepping their "authority". Nobody can be forced to vet their medical appointments with any non-medical personnel. Sounds to me like someone is trying to do something they think is "good", when it is, in fact, not good.
Before I would go off the deep end on this one, I would verify the truth with my chain of command. If they verify the "requirement", I would take it up with the IG.
Before I would go off the deep end on this one, I would verify the truth with my chain of command. If they verify the "requirement", I would take it up with the IG.
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CDR Terry Boles
COL Jean (John) F. Burleson
SGT Hector Rojas
Exactly! On target statement, it flies in direct conflict with patient privacy. If indeed verified through your chain-of-command an IG investigation complaint needs to be filed and followed through.
SGT Hector Rojas
Exactly! On target statement, it flies in direct conflict with patient privacy. If indeed verified through your chain-of-command an IG investigation complaint needs to be filed and followed through.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
SSG (Join to see) - This is absolutely stupid. Before a group becomes a good idea ferry, they need to have a cursory coordination/information paper endorsed by the pertinent organizations: Battalion leadership, Hospital, JAG, Chaplain, Rear D commander. It's against the law to force someone to give medical information to you. Like I alluded to, some wives are concerned about giving medical information to anyone but medical staff. If they have no idea about HIPPA then their judgment needs to be questioned for maturity, common sense, and general ignorance of the law.
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It is probably well intentioned to try and stay abreast of issues that might affect Soldiers downrange, but no this is not kosher. Of course your unit can't mandate FRG involvement, and getting into anyone's medical business, much less a family member's, is wrong.
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