Gay, HIV+ Soldier Claims That His CDR Compiled, Distro'ed List Of HIV+ SMs. How Is HIV+ Status Reported To A Gaining Unit?

2015-11-28T17:21:10-05:00

A Soldier assigned to the Army Physical Disability Agency alleges that his Commander compiled and distributed a list of HIV-Positive Soldiers. Under the current guidelines of the Army HIV Program, a Soldier's HIV-Positive status has been kept extremely confidential. How is a Soldier's Positive HIV status revealed to his or her Chain of Command and how is it reported to gaining units as that Soldier moves throughout the Army? What is the likely fallout from the dissemination of this very personal health information?

http://www.towleroad.com/2015/11/army-hiv-positive/

Gay Soldier Says Army Spread Illegal List of HIV-Positive Recruits - Towleroad

The U.S. Army is investigating a soldier’s claim that a colonel improperly directed subordinates to compile a list of HIV-positive soldiers

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2015 5:25 PM

2015-11-28T17:25:25-05:00

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member Their medical jackets are marked with a HIV POS code.

Response by Col Kyle Taylor made Nov 28 at 2015 5:29 PM

2015-11-28T17:29:45-05:00

As a commander, I never received any medical information about anyone who served with me. That said, when deployed, we had name tags with our blood type on them so that if needed, we could receive someone's blood in an emergency. Hopefully no one with any blood issues ever is wearing a tag with their blood type and fails to notify others if their blood type is needed in an emergency.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 28 at 2015 8:11 PM

2015-11-28T20:11:57-05:00

Wow... Unsure how to answer that one...

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Nov 28 at 2015 9:43 PM

2015-11-28T21:43:47-05:00

Times change. When I was in, the information was not shared, it was need to know, and agree or not, even the command team lacks a need to know on some things.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2015 1:08 AM

2015-11-29T01:08:46-05:00

The commander and select administrative personnel would be aware due to the Soldier's Non-Availability code. Since HIV+ Soldiers are non-deployable, they tend to concentrate in certain units.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2015 7:54 AM

2015-11-29T07:54:45-05:00

I had an HIV Soldier under my command. I was informed I couldn't even tell my 1SG why the Soldier couldn't deploy, just that he couldn't.

In my opinion HIV troops should be medically separated unless the Army is in short supply of their skill set. HIV Soldiers will never recover or be able to deploy, yet they take up a slot that could be used to stabilize a deployable Soldier.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Nov 29 at 2015 9:11 AM

2015-11-29T09:11:10-05:00

I suspect a soldier with HIV/AIDS in non deployable as they have a life threatening disease and likely require a fair amount of medical treatment. The disease is also pretty communicable. I am not sure why someone with this disease would remain on active duty or in the reserve or NG components. There is a related post about the SMA calling out the 50,000 or so "nondeployable" soldiers in Army. I suspect this guy is one of them. I am not sure why those around him should not know he has an incurable, communicable disease. Where do his rights end and others safety and well being begin?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 6:35 PM

2015-12-26T18:35:59-05:00

Please read about HIPAA and the DOD. http://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/gp_solo_magazine_home/gp_solo_magazine_index/hipaamil.html Could be a problem disclosing anyones medical information.

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