We all know the Sick Bay Commandos, did not being one hurt you in the long run?

2015-01-23T10:18:38-05:00

I have heard from many Veterans that are suffering from injuries related to their services, but failed to have them documented in their medical records because they wanted to avoid the stigma of being a "Sick Bay Commando". I personally experienced this situation many times, where I was hurt, but was counted on to do a job or be available for an op and just fought through the injury. I wonder how many Veterans experienced this and is there any recourse?

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2015 10:21 AM

2015-01-23T10:21:52-05:00

Wish I knew the answer to that one SSgt Kevin Chavez when you're in you don't see the consequences of that until it's much too late.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2015 10:43 AM

2015-01-23T10:43:48-05:00

Great question, SSgt Kevin Chavez! When I was coming up through the ranks, and especially at the lower ranks, there was major pressure exerted regarding sick call. If you weren't bleeding or really (severely) ill, you had better not go on sick call.

In the long run, I think that mentality does hurt the individual service member when it comes time to file a VA claim. You say you have had problem X during your time in service, but we don't see it in your records. What's up with that?

As far as recourse, I wonder about that myself. I've heard people say you should go back to the VA for a re-evaluation, especially if something gets worse. Maybe that's a possibility?

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jan 23 at 2015 11:27 AM

2015-01-23T11:27:35-05:00

I think the real problem was leaders knowing the line between who was sick, and more importantly, who was injured, and dealing with the Sickcall Commandos and the sick as was correct for each group.

My six year old daughter has less 'injuries' than some of our soldiers BUT when she is hurt, I know and can get her the help she needs.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2015 12:01 PM

2015-01-23T12:01:45-05:00

I had a 1SG that believed that unless you had a limb falling off (and even then he would give you a stink eye), or 2 seconds away from death, we better not even be able to sniff the sick call building. If I had only gone to sick call more, my body may not go Rice Crispies as much today as it is now.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2015 2:14 PM

2015-01-23T14:14:17-05:00

In the Corps it was impressed upon you that if you weren't dying or a limb falling off you better be on duty. It was also impressed upon you if you damage yourself you could be disciplined and brought up on charges. So many times things did not get reported you just carried on. But when you are young you are invincible and tough and don't want others seeing your weakness.

Response by SFC Boots Attaway made Jan 23 at 2015 5:24 PM

2015-01-23T17:24:24-05:00

I messed up my ankles in Korea but drove on and now the VA has denied my claim of chronic ankle sprain. Now I advise all young troops I meet to get ALL injuries documented and keep records.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Jan 23 at 2015 5:28 PM

2015-01-23T17:28:37-05:00

The first half of my 20 years was....take motrin and suck it up. deal with the pain. After a while I learned that was stupid. The only thing that hurt me was fighting through the pain. I'm paying for a tear in my shoulder because I fought through the pain.

Response by SPC Charles Griffith made Jan 23 at 2015 6:32 PM

2015-01-23T18:32:19-05:00

Well to be honest I was injured during TGW and went to sick call for my back. Now years later no one seams to be able to find the record of it so I guess it's a crap shoot either way. I was no sick call commando but when I did go the Dr. told me I was too young (20years old) to have back problems gave me some grunt candy and apparently didn't even record it. Now 20+ years later and with my back getting worse (degenerating disk) I'm on my own and have no record of the possible service connection.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 23 at 2015 10:41 PM

2015-01-23T22:41:57-05:00

I can speak to this.

I'm currently going through my second claim process with the VA because of lack of documentation.

I have a 10% VA Disability rating for Bell's Palsy. (Facial Paralysis). The only reason that is documented is because my SNCO came to my house while I was on leave and dragged me to an Army Hospital because he was worried it might be a stroke (I knew it wasn't).

The issue that I'm actually concerned about is my Migraines, which have been 'self treated' for years. When I was in the grunts, we had a Corpsman in my sections (S2/Scout Snipers) so I never actually went to medical. No BAS visits means no documentation. And without documentation, I'm now fighting the VA trying to prove they actually existed while I was in.

Questions like "Why didn't you go to medical?" are met with (by me) with "You don't don't go to medical for every headache you get, no matter how bad it is. You just work through it, nap at lunch, and pray it doesn't last through the night."

But that's long term complaints. Not short term.

On the short term. If you're too sick or injured to work, you need to go to medical. Well, medical is at work. May as well go to work then. If you're sick, your boss will see and just send you home. If you're injured chances are it happened at work, and they'll take care of it on the spot.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2015 12:04 AM

2015-01-26T00:04:01-05:00

(Please forgive the winded rant in advance, but if you're a younger warrior, listen closely)

What hurt me most and what I truly regret is being scared of, was going to sick call and getting a profile. Coming up, any and all profiles were stuck with the stigma of being weak and more than likely of being taunted by your leaders, peers, and subordinates.

I injured my lower back as young Soldier while doing PT. I simply stuck it out. I was a young super trooper and would not dare be caught going to sick call for pain in my back. "Everyone has pain. Don't be weak. Don't be part of the group that has to form a separate - walkers - formation" I kept running, I kept training, and kept making matters worse.

17 years later, I whole heartedly regret not being seen sooner, taking the proper time to recover, and seeking specialized care for my ailment. I endure severe daily pain and have L5/S1 damage that requires pain meds (daily). I'm talking 7-9 on the pain scale.

It no longer matters how technically and tactically competent and proficient that I am. Opportunities for career enhancements are few and far in between. I recently had a locked in job as an APMS at Texas A&M for the coming summer. Because I have to execute an alternate event on the APFT, I had to watch it slip away. I have no one to blame but myself. I understand the PMS' concern. Even though I can still run, it doesn't bode well to have to walk, bike, or swim during the APFT. Not if I am trying to set an example for future officers.

Also, I was recently unable to deploy because CENTOM no longer issues waivers for pain meds; not even Tramadol. I fully understand why. Now, for the first time in my career, I have no direction or idea of what's in store for me.

The hardest loss was going through PSYOPS selection three years ago and being selected at the top of my class. While training for the slew of schools I was headed for (Airborne, SERE C, Pathfinder, Ranger, and the Q Course) I re-injured myself during the sit-up portion of the AB APFT. I was fit, strong, and ready to go AND injury free for years. I then had to return to my basic branch with my head held low.

That's the end of my rant and sob story. The moral is, if you're hurt, sick, or in pain, be seen. Take a knee, recover properly, and live to fight another day. Please, do not repeat the mistake I made. Take care of and listen to your body.