Are you strong or weak for going to sick call?

2015-05-09T06:11:40-04:00

One of my favorite benefits in the Army, right after free college tuition, is our healthcare! How amazing is it to have a job where if you wake up ill or hurt- you can go to the doctor's office (sick call, for FREE) and not worry about a pay cut or your boss flipping out?!? Not to mention, no annoying trips to CVS or Walgreens for your over priced/under insured meds! Bless Tricare!

This is why I am truly saddened when I hear my fellow comrades making fun of soldiers who go and refuse to themselves! Unfortunately, just like every good thing does, we have those violators- the ones who take advantage of sick call. Maybe they want to get out of a ruck, or are too tired from gaming the night before and are hoping for quarters, maybe tiny heart syndrome? As a current medic that has worked in an aid station performing sick call ops - I too am guilty of talking smack about repeated sick call offenders! Was it right? Not at all!

When I hear my battle buddies (male and female) competing in their "I've been in the army for x amount of time and have never gone to sick call" I just laugh to myself. GOOD JOB! You're obviously the toughest and meanest and the most soldier-est (new word) of us all! Lies lies lies! I'm so sick of the stigmas put on sick call. Your health and wellness should be number one in your basic soldiering. Why do you think we recieve the benefit to begin with? Uncle Sam wants the healthiest! (Aka- biannual HIV tests, mandatory PHAs, immunization requirements!)

Everyone gets sick or hurt at some point. It's one of those messed up parts of being human. If you are sick and cannot perform your daily duties because of it, do us all a favor and be seen! The faster you are seen the sooner you can get to feeling better- and the less chance of infecting your entire company or BATTALION! Chronic pains - schedule an appointment, and emergencies go to the ER! That's my take on it. What do you think about our sick call procedures and the stigmas on them?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 9 at 2015 6:49 AM

2015-05-09T06:49:22-04:00

Neither, you're smart. If you don't take care of yourself who will? Better to find out it's nothing now then to get a week in quarters later.

Response by 1SG Eric Rice made May 9 at 2015 8:19 AM

2015-05-09T08:19:20-04:00

Bottom line up front...if you are sick, injured, or hurt go get fixed. That is what the military medical system is there for. You need to take care of yourself in order to perform your function in the military. Those of us that have been in for some time have seen folks that have neglected themselves over the years only to have some kind of debilitating injury that results in a permanent profile restricting what they can do. It is not about being strong or weak it is about being intelligent. That being said if someone is riding the system to get out of work then they should be dealt with accordingly.

Response by SPC Nate Lamphier made May 9 at 2015 9:05 AM

2015-05-09T09:05:25-04:00

Ive seen both sides where a Soldier refuses to go due to "pride" reasons. Then Ive seen Soldiers go because they want to get out of a PT test (which takes place about a week beforehand). Where I was at if someone went and said their shins hurt from running it was a given theyd get two weeks of no running.

My thoughts on the matter....if you are broke....get fixed because if I need you to save my life or someone elses....I want you at your best. If you are doing it to skip a PT test or another assignment....I wish they could boot you on the spot (wishful thinking I know but man this group of individuals really bothers me). With that said....Im now thinking of a known "dodger" that I was with from AIT through my enlistment and its got my blood going again!

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 9 at 2015 9:12 AM

2015-05-09T09:12:22-04:00

We all know there are sick bay commando's out there. They have been there since the first sick call was established. There are legitimate injuries that need treatment and they should get treatment.

We operated under the premise that most things fixed themselves with a little time and Motrin. You had to get permission to go to sick call and few wanted to do that more than absolutely necessary. Anyone that went regularly received the sick bay commando wings.

Response by MSgt Brian Welch made May 9 at 2015 9:36 AM

2015-05-09T09:36:41-04:00

It absolutely is a good thing and for someone needs the care. During my time they did away with the over the counter meds program. After that, I would by aspirin at the BX. Others would make an appointment or go to sick call to see a doctor, complain of a headache, just to get prescribed aspirin. Was not meant to be abused but like anything it that can be, it will be.

I'd like the stigma of a troop visiting the mental health clinic (if they still call it that) to change. I see reports too frequently of military suicide due to PTSD or other life stresses. I hope peers don't bust balls of a troop that needs to sit down with a counselor. I also hope a troop can be comfortable that his/her chain isn't going to over react and sink that persons career. That was the factor that kept people away from the MHC when I was in.

Response by TSgt David Holman made May 9 at 2015 11:07 AM

2015-05-09T11:07:26-04:00

I don't think it is a sign of strength or weakness. If you need to see a doc, you need to see a doc. What is a sign of weakness is when you have the opportunity to see that provider, get the appropriate medications at the lowest level needed, and at the time set aside for it, but instead decide to go to the ER at 0631 because "your tummy hurts" (sorry, way too many stories about that actually happening).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 11:42 AM

2015-05-09T11:42:21-04:00

I have no issues with someone going to sick call when they are ill. Unfortunately there are more abusive offenders than there are true situations and issues. Too many are abusing the system.

Another issue is that it seems the Doctors are handing the Soldier what they want instead of prescribing the proper diagnosis. Asking the Soldier what they want instead of ordering what they need to do in order to return to full function.

I see a multitude of crazy profiles these days. I personally have some serious injuries which case me a great deal of pain. Unfortunately there is not much that can be done for the situation.

I will say I have had to highly encourage those that do not want to be processed through sick-call.

It almost seems like with all the information out there it is being abused because Soldiers know what to say in order to get out of working. That is the problem I have seen all too often for the last several years.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 9 at 2015 11:43 AM

2015-05-09T11:43:26-04:00

During my time in the Air Force, fear of the flight surgeon was real for most aircrew. The fly doc can make you well (common cold, STD, etc.), but he can also take away your flight pay and possibly ruin your career through physical disqualification for flying. Most pilots avoided the flight surgeon like the plague--in fact, plague might be one of the few things a pilot might go to the doctor for. Common aches and pains--no chance. The problem with this behavior is you can endure the early symptoms of something serious for a long time, but when you finally go to the doc he says, "if you'd come to me earlier there's a lot of things we could have done. Now . . . [good news seldom follows]."

Sometimes if you ignore early problems associated with military service, for example, hearing loss, back injury, knee pain, so they are never documented, you'll have a difficult time convincing the VA you have service related disability in later years. I'm blessed to have no serious problems. I passed a flight physical less than 6 months before I retired. Chances to getting disability: zero.

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made May 9 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-05-09T11:44:16-04:00

Like you said, some people abuse sick call....

There was a young lady at one of my commands who overly used sick call. She ALWAYS found a way to go SIQ on the days her BF (who was also Navy on an aircraft carrier) would come home after some time at sea. I ALWAYS had to stand her duty days because of it! We used to say that she's probably doing some extra "favors" at medical.

I've also had young sailors going to sick call as a way to get out of a PT test. The Navy got wise of that and started telling people that they have X many days to get better and to take the test or else the missed test would be counted as a failure by default.

Then sometimes going isn't worth going at all; a huge waste of time.

Take the time I got food poisoning in Casablanca.

It took two weeks for me to be able to sit and wait to be seen at sick call because of how sick I had gotten. When I was seen, doc told me I was just dehydrated and I needed to drink more water. Really??? When the moment I eat or drink ANYTHING, it comes out the other end?????? Yes, I did say that only to hear once again that I needed to drink more. UGH!

The doctor that relieved that one was MUCH better. I had my coffin locker slam down on my forearm just above the wrist. The new doc not only took care of me, he stopped me in the passageway in front of medical as I was just passing by to do a quick check up on my arm.

But is it a good thing to go because you don't what something minor today to become something major tomorrow. That and you don't want to be an immediate burden for those around you because something that could have been taken care of when it was minor becomes something major at the wrong time.

I almost didn't go to sick call for the arm injury because nothing felt or looked broke just bruised, but I went anyway just in case.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-05-09T12:16:48-04:00

There is nothing wrong with sick call, we spend millions of dollars to train and maintain the medical community. In fact it's probably tens of millions which just drives the point home further. When I was a PV2 I would sway away from it unless I really needed it, the reason why? I was stupid, that's what half of being a private is about and why we require grown up supervision. Now that I'm the adult I see it as my job to overcome Joe's desire to run with scissors, fail to negotiate childproof pill bottles, OR refuse going to sick call.

To be honest if you are anything less than 100% I want you healed and back to normal as soon as possible! When you decline to go for no other reason than pride you have effectively crossed the border from hard and entered stupid. Lastly, soldier-est has a decent ring for a made up word.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 12:45 PM

2015-05-09T12:45:33-04:00

I would say that Sick Call is a great but it should be used wisely. We always had to see our docs before we went to sick call. There was a lot of THS, Tiny Heart Syndrome, that happens. I recall guys at Ranger feared going to sick call. They knew they would be dropped if they went. They sucked it up and went to on to make it.

It is great but when you go for just a cough, then a headache, then a stomach ache all in one month you may be pushing. If you are hurt by all means go. I went when I was injured. But there is a difference between being hurt and being injured. But when you see a guy with a "Dead Man's Profile" and then they are off to their room to play games and shoot hoops on the weekend you really have to question a few things.

Response by SGT Timothy Rocheleau made May 9 at 2015 1:25 PM

2015-05-09T13:25:48-04:00

Strong or weak? Depends on the case, if you are using it because you need it and are trying to maintain the proper health then you are being smart and taking care of your self. If you are that troop that goes to get out of pt, rucks, etc....... Pretty weak. Simply because it is "free" doesn't mean you use it every time you get a sniffle or headache. Would you go if you didn't get it free? If you had to pay out of pocket would you go to an ED or Urgent Care?

Response by MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM made May 9 at 2015 1:43 PM

2015-05-09T13:43:39-04:00

It depends. What is real reason for going?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-05-09T13:49:15-04:00

Awesome to hear. We have just done away with sick call. We have increased access to our clinic through appointments and working closely with command.

Response by SrA Marc Haynes made May 9 at 2015 2:23 PM

2015-05-09T14:23:11-04:00

I think we called it malingering when I was in the AF. Yes there are those that use the sick call for other than it's intended purpose. As civilian RN I have watched people sit in the ER to get a work excuse for a longer period than they would have had they actually went to their job.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 10:00 PM

2015-05-09T22:00:17-04:00

I'm probably one of "those guys" you're describing. I've been to sick call 3 times in nearly 9 years. There's definitely a stigma associated with it and fighting said stigma is going to be difficult. The problem is for every troop who legitimately needs to be there, there's probably another who simply has Tiny Heart Syndrome. A few years back I had a troop fall out within the first 15 minutes of being in the field and run to sick call. He spent the next few days relaxing in his rack while we embraced the suck in the field. Right or wrong, troops who went to sick call legitimately were still lumped in with him.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made May 10 at 2015 5:17 PM

2015-05-10T17:17:23-04:00

So i had injured myself at MCT, but it was inside my ankle so it wasn't obvious, when I got into the FMF, they did a visual exam and a xray but it wasn't till a blood test with elevated white cells that prompted the MRI which showed I had torn muscles.

when the Doc gave me this news he said. "Good thing for that blood test, I was about to charge you with malingering(whatever the term is for a fake injury)"

I thought to myself. "yeah, so am I." because i had kept complaining about being in an unusual and constant pain.

Response by PV2 Abbott Shaull made May 10 at 2015 5:20 PM

2015-05-10T17:20:25-04:00

No shame on going on sick call. You have the health care provided for. Use it while you can.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 7:26 PM

2015-05-10T19:26:00-04:00

OK here is a delicate subject. I have had to go to doctors many times in my years, a LOT of visits due to my TBI, my back and neck injuries, too many times being blown up. The sick call visits though were never really for the everyday things. There are still a lot of things I have to have checked out before I actually leave the Army I know but I DO feel that I set a bad example if I am never around for my platoon as I am the platoon sergeant. I do NOT push that same thing on to my guys though. I monitor how often they go, I monitor the profiles that they get and then I monitor that the activities that they are performing in their off time matches it. An example of this would be that I had a Soldier that had this profile that he could not do any PT at work, he could not wear a ruck, he could basically do nothing, but then he was getting Dive Master certified on his off time. I had to put a stop to that. It is something that is abused so much and so easily that if someone is not monitoring these things, then people WILL abuse them and not think twice about it. Unacceptable, because those at sick call will not monitor it, they do not have the time to do so.
If someone needs to go, I have them go. I want them to heal either from a injury or sickness as soon as possible, but I will not tolerate them malingering in any fashion.
The kicker to this, I have a P2 profile, so I have been there and done that (been to the docs) I only really go there now for a TCON for my med refills or for PHA. I believe that you DO have to have some toughness in you, but not to the detriment of you or your platoon.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 11 at 2015 10:01 PM

2015-05-11T22:01:58-04:00

Neither, it just means you're sick and you need medical treatment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 10:34 AM

2015-05-12T10:34:17-04:00

Taking care of yourself, making sure you are fit to fight is more important than being seen as week. Being sick is naturally weakening. Sick Call is there to help keep a Soldier at his or her best.

Weakness is being stupid enough to think you don't need sick call.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 10:59 AM

2015-05-12T10:59:02-04:00

I do not believe you are weak for going to get medical care. You are taking care of your body and maintaining its functions. Its those in ranks that abuse the system that give 'sick call' an image for the weak

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 12 at 2015 11:14 AM

2015-05-12T11:14:40-04:00

I was in A School and went to sick call hacking up all sorts of technicolor stuff. There were two slackers in front of me. So the Corpsmen thought I was one too and threw me out. Meat wagon had to pick me up later when I collapsed. Bad pneumonia. There was zero interest in the bad screening issue. It did get somewhat better over the years but mostly due to bad publicity and having to answer letters from the Hill.

That said, they were fast when my vehicle blew up.

Response by SGT Justin Lamb made May 12 at 2015 6:26 PM

2015-05-12T18:26:53-04:00

Thanks to tricare I still have my son. We did a brief rally of costs and stopped at $800k from the Cancer treatments, surgeries, etc.. If your hurt or sick go to sick call. At times you can hinder the mission if you are only operating at 50% your normal self. So if someone says another is weak for getting help they need to cut their hand off and then go do some push ups and see who ends up complaining and wanting to go to sick call

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Jul 20 at 2015 11:23 AM

2015-07-20T11:23:36-04:00

Wait, some bases still have sick call? Lucky you.

Response by MSgt Alan H made Jul 20 at 2015 12:05 PM

2015-07-20T12:05:28-04:00

Completely silly not to go to sick call when you have something that can infect the entire office. I use to tell some to stay home or at rest in the barracks until they've taken anti biotic for full twenty four hours until they were not contagious. It's one thing to have one person out but really bad when the whole section or office is out or not even out because you can't afford to have over half the office out suck at the same time. The ones making fun of sick call are unprofessional and inconsiderate.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 8 at 2015 2:23 PM

2015-10-08T14:23:43-04:00

Some soldiers don't realize the world is a not a perfectly linear world, and they will suffer for it.

Response by Capt Adam Saxe made Mar 31 at 2016 12:02 AM

2016-03-31T00:02:08-04:00

If you're sick . . . you're sick. You're neither strong nor weak. If you are faking it, it's not a matter of "weakness" per se . . . its a matter of honesty and integrity. I would add that issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, etc often manifest themselves in lethargy, drowsiness, fatigue, etc. In those cases, the service member needs the mental health clinic--not sick call nor condemnation. But, sure . . . I bet you have seen a lot of fakers.

Response by SPC Bryan Guzman-Piedra made Feb 19 at 2018 1:57 PM

2018-02-19T13:57:51-05:00

I kept flying and soldiering on with a spinal injury that put me out of the army.

Don't be stupid. Get yourself checked out when you need it and demand the best possible care. There is a stigma surrounding being injured or sick in the military. People treat you differently, in some cases, people will treat you poorly despite your performance because they think you're faking it.

There are a lot of people who want to get out of doing things by using sick call or having constant appointments. We had a guy fake back pain to get out of the deployment I finished with an actual back injury. What doesn't serve anyone is to assume EVERY SINGLE SOLDIER at sick call is faking it. That is no way to provide care, and it is no way to figure out if there is actually something wrong.

Response by SrA Shawn Nelson made Feb 24 at 2018 6:34 PM

2018-02-24T18:34:49-05:00

When I was stationed in England I had the stomach flu. Didn't know it when I started the day. As the day went on I just got worse. Finished all my tasks except for driving over and getting supplies for the dining hall, I was to sick to drive. Told my dining hall supervisor this and she told me that I had to go. I informed her I was unsafe to drive. She told me we needed that truck delivery today. I then informed her that we needed to call the other storeroom person or she had to go get it, we were the only three authorized to drive the truck, that I was to sick to drive. She then said if you are so sick why didn't I go to the hospital? I then told her that was why I was there to see her. Was going to secure the storeroom and then walk to the hospital, I didn't own a car. She got me a ride over. Ended up in bed for the next three days. Was so glad for the ER doctor.