How can I extend my ETS date for a future surgery?

2019-03-07T18:34:28-05:00

Separating from active duty in a few weeks.

I have been in and out of the ER for about half a year regarding health concerns, after extensive tests and different prognosis's they have found a new concerning health issue that requires major surgery. Keep in mind that my ETS is a couple weeks from now and my Pre op is set for next month and surgery. The resident gave me a memo requesting that I extend my out date due to surgery and recovery.

Today In brought the memo up to my retention NCO. While waiting i was questioned by the Battalion SGM, asking questions about my ETS and what I was here for. He goes of scolding me that ill be non mission essential, and non deploy-able and wont be an asset to the unit and was against the idea of me extending my ETS date. His exact words were as follows " I wont allow you to sit on your ass and collect money" he then told me that if i knew my condition why didn't i request for surgery a long time ago. Again i just found out about this a few days ago while they
were doing tests on me. He basically thinks that i have planned this intentionally to collect money from the government.

I expressed that he had the wrong picture and immediately was offended by that comment, stating that hes been doing this for 25 years. Which does not shed light on anything at all.

I need advice and or insight on my situation, I spoke with my PSG and other leaders that i usually go to for advice and they have little to no knowledge on situations like mine.

I need to defend myself especially when it comes to my health. It is pretty obvious that my SGM does not care about my wellness at all.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Mar 7 at 2019 6:39 PM

2019-03-07T18:39:22-05:00

Time to visit the IG

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Mar 7 at 2019 7:00 PM

2019-03-07T19:00:43-05:00

I'd speak to the IG but it may be pushed till the VA can handle.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2019 7:19 PM

2019-03-07T19:19:28-05:00

There's nothing to defend yourself against.
You simply take your paperwork to your career counselor, who drafts the extension, and your company Commander signs it. The CSM is not the approval Authority any more than your platoon sergeant, squad leader, or even Battalion Commander.
If the CSM has an issue with you sitting around and being non mission-essential, he can request to transfer you to a wtu.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2019 7:19 PM

2019-03-07T19:19:39-05:00

No disrespect to your CSM, however, he has nothing to do with the process. The hospital should be able to assist you with getting transferred to a WTU. I would highly suggest against putting off your surgery and getting it done at a VA hospital. As you stated it was something that was discovered after going back and forth. You have nothing to prove to anyone about your health. Your health is between you and your provider and if he didn’t think it was a major concern he would not recommend an extension. Bottom line, talk to the PAD office to find out what’s the procedure of getting assigned to a WTU so you can get yourself taken care of without added stress from a command who has no interest in what’s going on with their Soldier. Good Luck to you...

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 7 at 2019 7:23 PM

2019-03-07T19:23:57-05:00

The only person who is going to look after YOUR health is YOU.
While you are in the Army,that is indeed the Army's problem. If your Medical Provider is recommending you extend to resolve said issue, listen to their advice, they are the subject matter expert.
Your CSM is concerned about Unit Readiness & Mission Accomplishment but based on what you have relayed has forgotten about Troop Welfare. That's his prerogative. However, you have the option of reminding him via the IG process.
Do not let them bully you into trying to take care of YOUR health via the VHA system. You would effectively be starting from scratch with a system that is overwhelmed.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Mar 7 at 2019 7:38 PM

2019-03-07T19:38:39-05:00

I am not sure about all the Army specific stuff, but I have always had a good result when talking to the senior NCO or senior Enlisted at the Hospital or medical facility. They can point you in the right direction, and generally have seen things like this more than once. The medical side will take care of you better at this late stage, then an operational unit. Your SGM probably just sees a hole they will have in their unit. If the med people can't help, look at talking to your Platoon Leader or a Chaplain.

Best of luck!

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 8 at 2019 9:04 AM

2019-03-08T09:04:43-05:00

You should have not said anything about your med condition, reenlisted or extended for another couple of years, done the surgery after the paperwork was PERMed, and served your nation honorably until your next ETS. That's what I would have done.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2019 1:33 PM

2019-03-08T13:33:54-05:00

For the record your SGM doesn’t need to know anything about whatever medical issues you are having. He is not a medical provider (HIPAA and all) so he has no need to be privy nor do you have any obligation to explicitly tell him anything.

Response by SFC Kenneth Kreps made Apr 30 at 2019 9:52 AM

2019-04-30T09:52:38-04:00

Don't get caught up in Catch 22. If your ill, get fixed before you get out. Your chain of command should be assisting you, not berating you. Follow your Medical Officer's advice and get extended.

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made May 4 at 2019 10:08 PM

2019-05-04T22:08:12-04:00

There's always MED HOLD... if memory serves. MEDAC initiates the paperwork once you've been admitted to the hospital. Visit the Hospital Command suite. Also, by requesting an ETS physical and documenting the issues, the problem should be corrected prior to your return to civilian life; otherwise it could be a long wait in the VA Medical system before you're fixed, if....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2019 11:49 AM

2019-05-06T11:49:01-04:00

From my experience as a WTU PSG, if this surgery can be postponed without further injury to the Soldier and is not life threating then the VA will handle it. Where most Soldiers get confused is that the Military Treatment facility makes this decision and not a civilian treatment facility. MTF chooses to extend you’ll get extended. CSM won’t have a say.