What do I do if my leadership is trying to pull me out of quarantine?

2021-09-14T13:36:11-04:00

So basically I was exposed to someone with COVID along with my wife and other friends which we ended up having symptoms towards the end of the week. My friend and I’s leadership had us standing outside the company then made us go to sick call and my 1SG basically said that if we don’t have a fever then we’re good enough to go to the field and said we didn’t need a testing. My wife ended on quarantine because she ended up puking and taking the test. My 1SG didn’t let me leave because he said it’s not his soldier so it didn’t matter even though the paper my wife got from the doctor specifically said that her dependents should be on quarantine as well, he finally let me leave after he called someone on the phone and only let me be on quarantine for 24 hours. My symptoms got worse when I got home so the next day I went to sick call to get a referral for a covid testing, I got it done and was put in quarantine and the nurse specifically said that regardless of what happens with my results I will stay on quarantine. Later on the day, my leadership is calling me saying that I’m RTD and that they’re gonna find a ride for me even though I explained that I’m on quarantine and I can’t leave. They said it’s 1SG orders and they’re gonna find me a ride, I called the army public health center and they said that if I leave then I’m breaking general’s order and so is my leadership. I’m so conflicted, I have another friend who’s on quarantine for the same reason and they haven’t bothered him one bit. What do I do? They’ve been harassing me about this situation

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Sep 14 at 2021 1:45 PM

2021-09-14T13:45:12-04:00

Talk to your Chain of Command (TL / SL / PSG), IMMEDIATELY.

Have them take this to your Company Commander, if not Battalion Commander.

*DO NOT COMPLY WITH 1SG.* *if* he wants you at work that bad, have it come from Commander. Make sure Commander understands the medical ORDER. That should solve everything.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Sep 14 at 2021 1:51 PM

2021-09-14T13:51:14-04:00

Whatever you have get it in writing as well as any orders from higher directing soldiers who have been placed in medial quarantine by a doctor due to COVID.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Sep 14 at 2021 1:55 PM

2021-09-14T13:55:06-04:00

Ultimately it all depends on the post policy about covid exposure, positive tests and quarantine. If your post's policy from your CG states that if one tests positive they have to quarantine, then that's the order you follow. Your 1SG nor anyone in your chain can break the CG's order.

I'd go find the base policy on covid-19 because that's going to list what the CG has ordered.

I think your chain of command needs to review the base policy for when soldiers get put in quarantine. If this was me, I'd be going to my CO if the 1SG was trying to make me break a CG order and then keep going to whomever would listen.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2021 2:07 PM

2021-09-14T14:07:28-04:00

What does your paperwork say? If it says you are on quarters or quaruntine for x number of days, you have to follow that. You may want to give your COC a phone call, as well as take it up to the CSM.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2021 2:13 PM

2021-09-14T14:13:10-04:00

You need to follow your physician orders and Post quarantine policy. If your Chain of Command does not support you after showing them supporting documents, call your Installation IG.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Sep 14 at 2021 6:43 PM

2021-09-14T18:43:45-04:00

If the doc says stay home you stay.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2021 7:16 PM

2021-09-14T19:16:55-04:00

Just go to work. Covid ain’t shit. Had it twice. Sneeze on some co workers and if they get sick you can give em shit about it I guess.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2021 8:50 PM

2021-09-14T20:50:50-04:00

Base policy > doctors orders > what your first shirt wants.

Send a copy of that doctors order directly to your commander and they can explain it to the first shirt. My guess is they will a nice closed door discussion about this.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2021 8:53 PM

2021-09-14T20:53:26-04:00

And sad thing is this happens in the federal government too. Working in the VA at previous location I had direct exposure to someone with covid. I started showing symptoms. My supervisor told me unless I had a positive covid test I had to report to work. Yet others in the office were put on covid leave multiple times for exposure. They also seemed terrified of covid at work (refusing to see patients who sneezed or coughed etc), but then would travel on the weekends.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2021 9:20 PM

2021-09-14T21:20:44-04:00

It seems to me that the people who made those quarantine policies probably outrank your chain of command. Follow the higher ranking order, document everything, and if Top wants to get relieved that's Top's problem.

Response by SSgt Jeanne Wallace made Sep 14 at 2021 9:49 PM

2021-09-14T21:49:03-04:00

keep any and all paper work you recieve over this, get copies made...( take pictures with your phone if you dont have a printer)..and if they dont offer paper work ASK for it for continuity of care...do not trust that it is in your records...those have a funny way of comming up missing
good luck

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Sep 15 at 2021 10:30 AM

2021-09-15T10:30:25-04:00

I think there is more to the story than what we are hearing. However it is time to see (call the IG) if you think they are in violation of your WRITTEN Quarantine.
I have heard 1SG .this and 1SG. That but what does your Chain of Command say? Have you spoke with them? Your quarantine was ordered by who? Lets hear the rest of the Story.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Sep 15 at 2021 11:43 AM

2021-09-15T11:43:06-04:00

This is why leadership needs to have this info beaten into them with a sledge hammer. Contact the hospital and have them contact the unit.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2021 11:45 AM

2021-09-15T11:45:28-04:00

what was the outcome?

Response by SSG Russell Busicchia made Sep 15 at 2021 11:49 AM

2021-09-15T11:49:30-04:00

I can't believe that any 1SG would put the entire unit at risk by insisting that you break quarantine. If true your unit has a bigger problem. Regardless, medical orders take precedence, along with the CG policy. I doubt anything will happen to you as long as you are following higher orders. I'm sure JAG would support you.

Response by SGT Jonathan Persons made Sep 15 at 2021 2:23 PM

2021-09-15T14:23:31-04:00

First off, make them put it in writing that you are RTD over the objections of the medical professional. Second, utilize the chain of command to go over the 1sg's head.

It is going to be a short term pain for you because your 1sg is going to probably threaten to make life hard for you, but tell your chain of command that if you are forced to disobey the order from the medical officer, you are going to use the open door policy and notify the the Bn Command Team of this issue.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Sep 15 at 2021 4:47 PM

2021-09-15T16:47:29-04:00

As other have said, you need to follow the medical orders and official post policy, BUT...

The medical orders are what they wrote on your sick call form, which may not be the same thing anyone said to you. I have many times seen medical staff tell a soldier something but put something completely different on the paperwork. It isn't unusual for a soldier with a minor foot or ankle injury be told to "stay off it" but the disposition written on his sick slip is simply checking the box for return to duty.

Your installation policy almost certainly is tied to the medical diagnosis -- which is what they wrote on your sick slip and in your medical record. Again, this may or may not be the same as what they told you.

Whatever some doctor told your wife simply doesn't count for anything with the military.

Overall, it sounds like your unit correctly sent you to be examined and tested -- if the medical staff found a reason for you to be quarantined they would have put that on your record and provided you with it in writing, on the other hand, if the test results were negative there is almost no chance that any policy would call for you to take a week off and call it "quarantine"

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Sep 15 at 2021 6:12 PM

2021-09-15T18:12:19-04:00

I would contact the Base IG. Like, yesterday! Have a rep from the IG's office talk to you, and talk to the doctor.