A Soldier (Specialist), in my unit has a soldier (Private) with known Medical Issues, Asked me for advice, how should I advise?

2020-09-21T09:08:23-04:00

This Soldier (Private) has serious heart problems who wants to go warrant officer. Our Unit has recently been sending her to fields and ranges both of which she had been sent to the emergency room straight afterwards. Her profile is strict as it is and she can't wear any equipment. The soldier doesn't want to risk a no fields nor ranges profile in order to become warrant officer. This Soldier (Specialist) became worried as this recent field, her soldier hasn't responded to her yet. She has not been given any information on her status from the COC. The unit knows about her medical issues and has copies of her profile. This Soldier (Specialist had recently reported our 1SG for a sensitive topic. She believes that he is using her soldier against her. How should I advice?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Sep 21 at 2020 9:11 AM

2020-09-21T09:11:40-04:00

Advice for which soldier, the Private with the heart issues or the Specialist with the 1SG issues?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2020 9:34 AM

2020-09-21T09:34:42-04:00

WOCS requires a full medical examination that cannot be more than two (2) years old. Based on what you have said about her medical issues, a full medical exam will find and note whatever it is. That should make applying for WOCS an impossibility.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2020 9:42 AM

2020-09-21T09:42:20-04:00

To Clarify, I wanted to give the Soldier (Specialist) logical advice, because I believe her judgement is clouded due to her issues with our 1SG.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2020 10:21 AM

2020-09-21T10:21:47-04:00

Based on her given (by you) medical situation...WOCS would NOT be a good career move. If her heart goes racing to the point where she needs an ER visit after a field exercise and/ranges....she will not fair well in WOCS. While I am no doctor, just based on what you said, I am surprised she is not facing a Med Board. She needs a serious medical evaluation to see if she is still medically fit for continuous service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2020 10:23 AM

2020-09-21T10:23:38-04:00

If she’s been to the ER for her heart condition twice, it is only a matter of time till she is med boarded. A heart condition isn’t like back pain where you can tough through it and hide it. It’s either bad enough to to affect your performance or it’s not. When it is, that’s when you get medically separated

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2020 11:01 AM

2020-09-21T11:01:57-04:00

Serious heart problems? strict profile? WOCS isn't going to touch that one with a ten foot pole. As far as the SPC is concerned, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Send emails, texts, anything that can produce a paper trail of evidence that she is doing her due diligence with regards to this soldier.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Sep 21 at 2020 11:18 AM

2020-09-21T11:18:52-04:00

Sounds like she is not far from being medically chaptered IMHO. I would not advice this soldier to consider WOCS if she cannot clear their medical issue.

Response by SSG Samuel Kermon made Sep 21 at 2020 12:23 PM

2020-09-21T12:23:37-04:00

How is the soldier still on duty?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 21 at 2020 12:34 PM

2020-09-21T12:34:25-04:00

There is no worry other than her health. She will not pass the Warrant process and if what you say is true, she will be medically evaluated and separated. There is no way that she will pass a physical. In fact she should not even try. Her health and safety are what you should advise her on. Tell her to see the unit physician and request an exam related to her heart.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2020 2:11 PM

2020-09-21T14:11:17-04:00

As stated, that private is not going OCS or WOCS. The soldier needs to see their PCM and look at a possible med separation. It doesn't sound like there's a way around that. It's not worth dying over...at all.

So the SPC reported the 1SG for something and thinks the 1SG is retaliating? The SPC needs to go to EO or IG then.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2020 3:42 PM

2020-09-21T15:42:41-04:00

If this Soldier has serious heart problems and thinks that they are qualified to be appointed a Warrant Officer or Chief Warrant Officer in any U.S. military service then they are not grasping reality. Also, they are selfish to picture themselves as leading personnel that might at any moment need to do MEDEVAC on them. If the potential candidate hides medical info regarding their fitness for duty then they do not possess "officer like qualities", as the Coast Guard likes to phrase it, and should not be tendered an appointment.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 21 at 2020 4:15 PM

2020-09-21T16:15:29-04:00

So a few things.

If the Solider has a heart condition that sent them to the ER twice then they will be most likely looking at Limited Duty and potentially a PEB unless they find someway to mitigate the unknown heart condition. I would be surprised if they aren't already on LIMDU. The Solider won't be able to submit any kind of package while being in a questionable medical status like this.

In regards to the other he said, she said stuff it sounds like the Command is playing things close to the chest which is understandable when you are talking about heart conditions and attempting to keep a low profile to reduce stress. As long as the Command is handling this the Spc needs to be understanding and supportive instead of jaded the Command is taking a direct role.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Sep 21 at 2020 4:18 PM

2020-09-21T16:18:01-04:00

Simple answer: no to WOCS for someone with an untreated heart condition.
As far as the whole 1SG using this as some sort of leverage against her: be careful what you get into. You are probably only hearing the part of the story that supports her side. Do you really have a dog in this fight?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 21 at 2020 7:57 PM

2020-09-21T19:57:01-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member If you are not a medical doctor, refer anyone with such problems to a medical doctor! Ensuring they do so would be exercising proper supervision.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Sep 22 at 2020 2:00 AM

2020-09-22T02:00:25-04:00

As much as She might like to advance to the rank of a Warrant Officer it sounds as though Her life may be at risk with the heart problems. I can understand wanting to advance like that and not give up but the price may well be too high. Its too bad that heart problem is present but it seems maybe She shouldn't plan on anything beyond reach like that due to serious health problem that just aren't going to go away. I doubt She can stay in the Army with that heart problem but use what She has learned within the service to find a civilian career that won't put that strain on Her heart. It doesn't sound like there is a solution unless the health providers have one and in any event that is Who She should be talking with.