Posted on Sep 22, 2016
SPC Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems Specialist
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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.
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CPT Physical Therapist
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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.
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Capt Tom Brown
Capt Tom Brown
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Back in the day of hands-on leadership we used to refer to 'sick-bay commandos' in a derisive manner, lined up at sick call every morning to get light or restricted duty for some real or imagined ailment, pain, or hiccup. Evey morning when we were headed to the field approximately 15 would show up at sick call. I motivated them by telling them that should we ever be deployed into a combat situation for any reason, they were all going regardless if they had a profile, were on no duty or light duty, had a no shaving or shower-shoe chit or a case of the Cambodian Trots. I am glad to see such leadership attitudes have changed over the years and every trooper is treated like a human being.
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CPT Physical Therapist
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I know a lot of people say "mission first," but I served under a great NCO who always told me "soldiers first." You take care of the Soldier and they will accomplish the mission and then some.
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Timing is everything. We triage from, "are you capable of operations" to "are you safe to train" to should/could you rest and rehab?
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SSG(P) Casualty Operations Ncoic
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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.
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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.

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