How would you deal with a stigma profile soldier?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 15:50:44 -0400

How do you deal with soldier's on profile? Or not on profile but undergoing preventative physical therapy? What if they must miss training for a doctor's appointment? Also how would you reccomend lower enlisted discuss their health issue with cadre or command? I'm working towards a leadership position and am working on a degree in allied health care, specifically Athletic Training & Rehab. I want to make sure I handle and communicate such issues well as a lower enlisted and upon promotion/commission I want to make sure I advocate for those who need to get well. I feel that it's hard enough with stigma's to get soldier's in to the Dr's office in the first place for fear of being seen as weak or lazy. I've also learned the best way to combat some musculo-skeletal problems is as soon as symptoms arise. I don't ever want someone in my command to feel that they can't approach me for fear of being belittled or humiliated. ... And what is the policy for modalities such as taping and braces, for example, in PT uniform? Are such preventative techniques allowed? My plan is to apply for Physical Therapy school after commissioning in the guard. I want to be as prepared as possible.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Sep 22 at 2016 4:32 PM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 16:32:56 -0400

Should be case by case because each injury, each Soldier are not like any other. Unfortunately, an enlistee is a reflection of the American society at that point in time, so to get quality enlistees society has to be changed.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 5:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 17:18:05 -0400

Your personal attention to their health will make or break their willingness to approach the subject.
I tell Soldiers all the time that early prevention is key but if they suck it up, so will the people around them. Doesn't matter if you're in a leadership position or not, you're a leader to someone.
Pay attention to your general health and theirs. Make it a priority. Over 50% of non deployable Issues are physical training related.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 5:45 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 17:45:42 -0400

In the military we are taught to "suck it up," which unfortunately is not always the best answer. It's one thing when you're in a firefight in Fallujah, but something else entirely when you're back in garrison. I'm not advocating that anyone become a "sick call Ranger" and live at the TMC, but we have to do a better job at encouraging Soldiers to seek care when needed. I think it starts with teaching the difference between pain and discomfort. Pretty much all of us are going to hurt at some point on a long run, but most of the time that's normal discomfort. However, if you are in agony with each step it has progressed to pain and you need to seek treatment. Merely toughing through it won't make the problem go away and will probably make it worse. I once saw a young soldier who was told to tough out what he thought were shin splints. Turns out it was compartment syndrome. By the time they caught it the lack of fresh blood to the area caused permanent damage. Poor kid was probably 22 or 23 and won't walk or run the same for the rest of his life. For years we've been told to suck it up and pop an 800 mg Motrin. It may work in the long term, but it screws us in the long term. There's a reason you see a lot of 40 year old vets with wrecked knees, back, shoulders, and everything in between.

On a quick side note, if you're thinking about applying to PT school I suggest you look into the US Army-Baylor PT program. I'm just getting started with the program, but I'm already super impressed. MAJ Charles Blake is an alumnus of the program as well. It's one of the best regarded programs in the country and no one does a better job at preparing PTs to treat Soldiers and other service members. Plus you get paid a salary to go to school, which is definitely a perk (at many civilian PT schools you're looking at six figure debt by the time you graduate). I'm the lone prior enlisted student in this year's class. As "Mustangs" we have a different perspective that I believe is really needed to round out the cohort.

Response by LCDR Rich Bishop made Sep 22 at 2016 7:10 PM

LCDR Rich Bishop — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 19:10:23 -0400

Soon this won't be an issue much longer. Biosensors are emerging in all of the services. The Naval Research Lab is working a project that will monitor heart rate, heart index, lung capacity, blood pressure, temperature, Physical Fatigue/ Status and many more. This information / data will be transferred to a smart phone / computer, your norms will be established and notify you when your get out of your norns...and much more

Response by Maj John Bell made Sep 22 at 2016 10:57 PM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 22:57:31 -0400

Reputation matters. If the soldier is perceived as a stand up soldier it will pass and pass quickly. If the soldier is perceived as a "bird" its just one more "egg" in the nest, regardless if it is valid or not.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2016 10:42 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 10:42:14 -0400

Many of your questions can be answered by AR 40-501 "Standards of Medical Fitness."

As for being on profile, as someone with diagnosed osteoarthiritis, and on a P2 profile, I can say that those who want to insult others based on physical limitation are simply ignorant. Pain is your body's way of telling you that whatever it is you are doing should be stopped or decreased. Taking care of your body should be the primary focus of the military. As some of the stories posted on here attest, "sucking it up and driving on" usually leads to more serious problems or disability after prolonged periods of mis/overuse. You cannot be a toughguy when you cannot walk or stand up on your own.

In Basic Training, my Drill Sergeants would ask, "Are you hurt or injured?" There is a difference. Everyone hurts at some point, but injury needs to be dealt with immediately. Toughing it out based on hubris is just dumb and can be harmful over the long term. If it is a minor ache, that is usually just pain from stressing your muscles, joints, or ligaments. Things that are excruciating and make you wince with pain or fall down in agony need to be dealt with.

If you are injured, don't let the "Tough Guys" prevent you from seeking treatment. If you are a leader or medical practitioner, never insult or degrade anyone for wanting to seek medical treatment. Leaders take care of people; they don't belittle them and risk harming them.

Response by SGT Tomas "Huey" Husted made Aug 28 at 2018 12:25 AM

SGT Tomas "Huey" Husted — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:25:08 -0400

My calf injury was a compartment syndrome only my doctor didn't have the medical education to to know it. It took a year to call in a civilian specialist. And it cost me 1/3 the muscle in my calf. I was pushed by NCO's who thought I was faking even though I had a cast on. Troops need to know their first responsibility is to them selves. I too thought the mission came first. Now I'm half crippled.Thanks to pushy NCO's and a sence of duty. But I still loved the Army.