COC wants me to reschedule my surgery for NTC. I have a memo from the surgeon, for surgery. What should I do?

2019-02-02T01:51:15-05:00

NTC is coming up next month. I have a permanent profile for the injured ankle. I injured it 7 months ago, have had 5 months of physical therapy. I finally got the okay for surgery for chronic ankle instability caused by ligament tears, a couple of days ago. At first, my COC needed some form of confirmation of the surgery. I gave them the date of the surgery and got that taken care of. They then said to reschedule it for after NTC if it wasn't something that needed fixed now. My surgeon gave me a memo, for my COC. Memo was made prior to COC asking for evidence also. The memo states my injuries, condition of the ankle and that it will require surgery. Memo also states that it's the surgeon's "medical recommendation that the surgery be done at the soonest available date". I ETS in June and the surgery is scheduled for 2 weeks from now. Partial recovery is 4-6 months after surgery, 9-12 months for full recovery. Non-operative treatments have not helped. If I reschedule, surgery will occur in April. It's s getting worse and it has given out 4x's in the past month and there is the possibility of further damage to ligaments, increasing the instability by not having surgery done at the "soonest available date".

Others have advised me to go to IG, to address the situation and or just have the surgery since the injury will worsen. How should i go about this? Thank you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 5:35 AM

2019-02-02T05:35:14-05:00

Your command - meaning your company commander, not a squad leader - gave you a direct order that you must reschedule your surgery?
Or, did "word of mouth" pass through several people that you "should" reschedule your surgery?

Ask for a written order from the commander requiring you to reschedule the surgery. That will clarify the order and place the commander responsibility behind the instructions. If you are being required to do something, there should be no issue with having a signed record of it.
That may require you to go to NTC while on recovery or profile. Company commanders are still required by brigade commanders to meet manning requirements for NTC.
As for surgery and recovery time, you are authorized to extend for medical treatment, and its recovery time. Don't be a dumbass and say you don't "want to be in the Army any longer because...."
It's free medical Healthcare and paid convalescent leave. You won't find that anywhere in the civilian sector after your ETS.
Get the order in writing. Get the surgery. Extend for the recovery time. Find a job while you're waiting around to ETS, or whatever your follow on plan is.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 2 at 2019 11:02 AM

2019-02-02T11:02:00-05:00

Follow commands orders and have your doctor recommend light duty, this way you will work in one of the cells in Garrison. Don’t wave the opportunity for surgery and full recovery, that would be a monumental wast of authorized benefits, and a solid record of you full medical condition for latter use. You are still a Soldier and bound by the same orders as the rest of your unit, ETS does not give you special treatment. I assure you that there are Soldiers throughout the unit, BN-BDE etc. with the same or similar circumstances. Thank you for your service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 11:38 AM

2019-02-02T11:38:32-05:00

Good afternoon SPC J G., how are you doing today? I will give you sound advice as a NCO and as a human being. Get your surgery done like the surgeon recommended. Your health is more important than NTC, especially when you are about to ETS in the next 4 months. So you have recovery time plus transition to worry about........ I will tell you, when it comes to the seriousness of a medical condition like yours, there is no legal action they can do, especially if a professional surgeon is telling you to have it soon as possible to minimize the damage that's already done...... I will say that your direct chain of command from the LT, PSG, to the squad leader don't have the balls to stand up for you or they just not using common sense........ Either way, it's bad on their behalf........ Let your chain of command know that you need to speak with IG and JAG and get your surgery done asap............

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 2:14 PM

2019-02-02T14:14:31-05:00

Personally if it was me, I’ll get my surgery done. At the end of the day people/Soldiers are replaceable not your health... Some commands are mission focus and don’t take into account the health and well-being of their Soldiers. If you re-schedule it can send a message that the surgery was not as important as you and your provider claim it to be. Take care of yourself, YOUR future is based upon how well you manage your own health and waiting may have serious consequences for you that can’t be undone.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 5:56 PM

2019-02-02T17:56:46-05:00

This is a very touchy situation you are in. I have read the comments and I agree to disagree. I used to think I needed to work through pain. I have since realized that the army and your command look at you and I as a number. With that being said, I recommend that you take what paperwork you have and go seek legal guidance.
I don't know a single unit that cant survive with one of their SPC not being able to make it on an NTC location. I could almost guarantee that your superiors would find a way out of this rotation if they were in your shoes. Legal council is your best friend in a situation like this!

Response by 1stSgt Ken Zgak made Feb 2 at 2019 6:23 PM

2019-02-02T18:23:39-05:00

Get that ankle fixed. If I could go back my body would have been a much higher priority since after you separate/retire you probalby want to still have some quality of life. If the Dr's are telling you to get it fixed don't walk, run to that hospital.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 8:16 PM

2019-02-02T20:16:48-05:00

I agree with CSM Darieus ZaGara Go the light duty route. At the end of the day, it’s always up to your CoC. In 2009 when I was a SSG, my 1SG walked into the OR when I was walking in to eye surgery and told me the BN commander would not allow me to have eye surgery and miss out on a JRTC rotation. My wife was furious and called IG. There is absolutely nothing IG can do, because it is the commander’s right on elective surgery. Get a Unfortunately for them in that decision, I had complications and instead of missing 4 weeks at Fort Polk, I missed 8 weeks in Iraq (but that’s another story.) Get you a light duty profile and get your surgery after you get back.

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Feb 2 at 2019 9:33 PM

2019-02-02T21:33:49-05:00

Why is it that 'Command' is willing to exacerbate a soldiers injury(s) for the explicate purpose of having a full complement of bodies for an exercise? Is there an SGM or Officer that can explain this, please???
Why does command want this soldier to have to 'Suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune under the presumed idea that the VA may, May I say, perform the corrective surgery regardless of the soldier being without an income to cover living expenses if this is the way command wants to proceed.

Soldier, believe it or not try the Command Suite of your Posts Hospital, they have the Patient's Advocates Office it's a start. From there try the Div. Surgeons Office, and yes the IG's office. or there is always a congr.....

Response by SGT Stephen Hamilton made Feb 2 at 2019 11:59 PM

2019-02-02T23:59:10-05:00

Doing the math I do not see a full recovery prior to your ETS. So why not try to do the best for your unit and yourself. Get your command involved in trying to reschedule your surgery as soon as you return from NTC. At the same time they can start the paperwork to have you reassigned to a WTU so that you can fully recover BEFORE you ETS. That way you receive a proper rating for your injury so that you dont have to go through the bureaucratic nightmare if you have future problems and need further care. You will be much better served, the command meets their manning requirement for NTC and opens up your slot for replacement more quickly and are able to have your replacement better prepared. Everyone wins. Its always better to try to work with your command for everyone's benefit including your own. Remember your commands job is to complete the mission and take care of soldiers in that order. By giving them an alternative to do both equally well is always the best solution.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2019 1:25 AM

2019-02-03T01:25:47-05:00

UPDATE: Thank all of you for your service and advice, so far.

A couple of days ago, my ankle rolled and gave out while carrying my duffle bags into work. That was the 4 time in a month. My ankle had increased pain since. Then earlier today, leaving the house, ankle gave out on steps marking the 5 time. I got irritated from the instability and pain, so i went into the ER for pain meds and further advice. ER Dr. diagnosed it as a sprained ankle and suggested surgery be done before April asap, instead of waiting for after NTC. Dr. also stated that i should get another memo from the surgeon, directly stating to recieve operative care asap before NTC, which would be this month.

Thank you all again thus far.