Posted on Nov 7, 2014
Active duty physical requirements on Reserve component Soldiers (SMs); is there a contradiction in medical treatment/benefits?
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A friend (seriously, not me) is on the Army's borderline for HT/WT. He has to maintain his physical fitness, appearance, and HT/WT standards for the National Guard as if he were an active duty Soldier. Injuries, some sustained while on active duty (82nd), make physical fitness maintenance near impossible. Here is the contradiction.
If he fails a PT test, he can be chaptered out, so he must do PT outside of drill because "you are a Soldier all the time." He cannot get military medical benefits, e.g. active duty Tricare, because "you are only a Soldier during drill." So, what are the limits of LOD? I should know, but I don't and I'll take anyone's advice or information on sources.
You might say "he should go to the VA," but that is not really an option. Should Reserve component healthcare be privatized? How is the line drawn between LOD and non-LOD? How should it be drawn? Any advice for my friend?
If he fails a PT test, he can be chaptered out, so he must do PT outside of drill because "you are a Soldier all the time." He cannot get military medical benefits, e.g. active duty Tricare, because "you are only a Soldier during drill." So, what are the limits of LOD? I should know, but I don't and I'll take anyone's advice or information on sources.
You might say "he should go to the VA," but that is not really an option. Should Reserve component healthcare be privatized? How is the line drawn between LOD and non-LOD? How should it be drawn? Any advice for my friend?
Reserves
Medical
Physical Training
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 6
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LTC (Join to see) you do bring up a good point Sir. I would also ask your friend what kind of physical training he is engaging in. I've found that I have to train much differently now than I did while I was on AD. (I fractured all four of my limbs in a motorcycle accident and have metal in each)
There are low impact and less stressful exercises that will (coupled with a healthy diet) allow a soldier to maintain active duty standards without sacrificing money to the injury train. From a cardiovascular perspective, I alternate between an elliptical set to 6 or 7 on the resistance scale (to give me a similar experience to being on a road) and swimming. Both exercises have cut my injury problems to zero, and actually improved my APFT scores.
So the bottom line is, train smarter as you grow older.
There are low impact and less stressful exercises that will (coupled with a healthy diet) allow a soldier to maintain active duty standards without sacrificing money to the injury train. From a cardiovascular perspective, I alternate between an elliptical set to 6 or 7 on the resistance scale (to give me a similar experience to being on a road) and swimming. Both exercises have cut my injury problems to zero, and actually improved my APFT scores.
So the bottom line is, train smarter as you grow older.
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LTC (Join to see)
Absolutely, SFC (Join to see). I'm not sure exactly what type of exercise he's doing that is causing or exacerbating the problem. The relevant point here is the tired cliche that "you break it, you buy it." What is it about active duty that breaks us? Running, rucking, jumping, fighting, and wearing armor. Active and Reserve share all of those things, and all in the contexts of our frail bodies.
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SFC (Join to see)
Amen to that Sir. I think with AD it ultimately comes down to the 'cookie cutter' approach to physical training, and while rucking, wearing armor, and moving around in it is an important part of our job we need to adjust our daily PT regimens to more accurately reflect the damage and stresses that our bodies incur.
I'm not saying we need an 'Old Man' group or anything like that, but perhaps tweaking the program as a whole so that we provide a workout that still keeps you in fighting shape but minimizes the damage to our bodies would be a positive step.
I'm not saying we need an 'Old Man' group or anything like that, but perhaps tweaking the program as a whole so that we provide a workout that still keeps you in fighting shape but minimizes the damage to our bodies would be a positive step.
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Try calling the Defense Health Agency (previously the Military Medical Support Office). The DHA approves and directs LOD healthcare for Guard and Reserves when not "on duty". DHA [login to see]
At the very least, its a good place start. That's what the MMSO did (prior to the DHA name change). We all know how that goes.
At the very least, its a good place start. That's what the MMSO did (prior to the DHA name change). We all know how that goes.
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Wow, that's a tough one! I would have him call the IG just to see what his options are.
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LTC (Join to see)
Now I know we're doomed. The medical professional is deferring to the IG!
In all seriousness, that is probably one of the best options. A congressional doesn't seem out of the question.
In all seriousness, that is probably one of the best options. A congressional doesn't seem out of the question.
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Sir, I am not sure how it works in the guard but for me, reserve, and from my understanding, he should be able to at least get tricare. I don't know if it's offered for the NG though .We get it at $50 a month. It is tailored for us mainly to go and see civilian doctors but it's available. Now, before I got that I had no insurance and I was told that I could still go to an active duty post and be seen as a SM. I've done that twice actually. I was seen and taken care of. As others have stated, getting a profile is definitely needed. I just recently finished my first one after getting a plate in my foot. If he needs a permanent one then so be it. I went to a VA before and was turned away because at the time I did not have 180 active duty days or a deployment. If he has either of those then he can go to the VA.
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I feel for your friend because the processes related to medical treatment, LODs, profiles, and medical boards in the reserves isn't universally understood and is much different than active duty where it is fairly straight forward. If the Soldier's first line leader doesn't know the answer, the full time unit administrators should be able to explain his options.
If he is injured, he should obtain a temporary and/or permenant profile that would outline the limitations of his physical fitness program and APFT events and give him the time he needs to recover without fear of not being able to pass the APFT (for temp profiles). In the USAR (don't know about ARNG), we can use documentation from our civilian medical provider or the unit can schedule an appointment with LHI (a contractor). If the injury occured while on active or reserve status, then the unit should complete the LOD paperwork. It sounds like these are lingering issues from previous event(s). If he is injured to the point of not being able to do his job (and/or the individual physical fitness program to at least to be able to pass an APFT), then a medical review board may be appropriate. He can go to the VA. It is an option even if not the preferred option. He also can sign up for Tricare Reserve Select. It's not "free," but the monthly fee is much lower than a private plan.
Are the benefits for active duty and reserve Soldiers equitable given that reserve component Soldiers have to meet the same standard (with less time to do it)? That's a question that hasn't been answered.
If he is injured, he should obtain a temporary and/or permenant profile that would outline the limitations of his physical fitness program and APFT events and give him the time he needs to recover without fear of not being able to pass the APFT (for temp profiles). In the USAR (don't know about ARNG), we can use documentation from our civilian medical provider or the unit can schedule an appointment with LHI (a contractor). If the injury occured while on active or reserve status, then the unit should complete the LOD paperwork. It sounds like these are lingering issues from previous event(s). If he is injured to the point of not being able to do his job (and/or the individual physical fitness program to at least to be able to pass an APFT), then a medical review board may be appropriate. He can go to the VA. It is an option even if not the preferred option. He also can sign up for Tricare Reserve Select. It's not "free," but the monthly fee is much lower than a private plan.
Are the benefits for active duty and reserve Soldiers equitable given that reserve component Soldiers have to meet the same standard (with less time to do it)? That's a question that hasn't been answered.
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I'd say he needs to get a permanent medical profile, goodness knows there are plenty of Soldiers who have them, no dishonor to them at all.
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LTC (Join to see)
Sure, but then he could be boarded. The point is that he can serve and wants to serve and does not need a permanent profile. In his situation you can't accomplish health, continued service, and PT simultaneously without a) incurring the cost personally, b) waiting for the VA, or c) rolling the dice with a permanent profile. The only choice left is to suffer in silence and do more harm.
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LTC (Join to see)
Not necessarily. As I said, there are a lot of Reservists who have permanent profiles. And, if I may add, the RS needs all the troops it can get so there is no dire threat as there may be AC. The Soldier may have to change his unit and MOS, if necessary.
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COL (Join to see)
He may be boarded but the result of tge board really depends upon the level of profile (i.e. P2 vs P3). A P3 could put him out but a P2 would likely result in a modification to his APFT requirements. The USAR (my component) works well with soldiers on permanent profiles.
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