Posted on Sep 9, 2015
Does your chain of command need to know about your medical history?
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At my previous command, we were never asked what our appointments were for. I had a great department that trusted us that we weren't misusing their trust, so we didn't. However, and my new command, I constantly get asked what my appointments are for, from different levels of my chain of command. I'm not comfortable telling them, because quite frankly, it's none of their business. I just simply tell them that it's at the hospital. I'm not lying, I really do go to my appointments. But it's getting uncomfortable, and I feel like they know better.
Medical
Privacy
JAG
Chain of Command
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
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PO2 (Join to see) I have dealt with this issue both from a personal side as well as the leadership side. If you are having a lot of medical appointments every week, this is going to flag a concern on the leadership side (e.g. anywhere from one-three appointments a week, every week). Now if you are doing a good job of spacing them out or able to schedule them to not interfere with your work schedule then I do not see this being as much of an issue. However, perception is key and I think from a leadership position this inquiry is two-fold.
First, if someone is always gone at appointments then their fellow co-workers are having to take on their job/responsibilities. This can often leave disgruntlement in the work place and coworkers can begin to complain.
Second, if someone is always gone at appointments then this gives the perception that either (1) something serious may be going on with the member or (2) the member is misusing this opportunity to get out of work. If it is serious the CoC is going to want to make sure that they are aware of it. If it is not serious then the CoC is going to want to know why you are gone all the time and correct the perception.
First, if someone is always gone at appointments then their fellow co-workers are having to take on their job/responsibilities. This can often leave disgruntlement in the work place and coworkers can begin to complain.
Second, if someone is always gone at appointments then this gives the perception that either (1) something serious may be going on with the member or (2) the member is misusing this opportunity to get out of work. If it is serious the CoC is going to want to make sure that they are aware of it. If it is not serious then the CoC is going to want to know why you are gone all the time and correct the perception.
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PO1 (Join to see)
PO2 Nick Burke If I do not trust the Command as a whole there are always individuals within my CoC that I have found to trust. The real question is, if you cannot find any AND you do not trust your Command, what are you doing to rectify the issue?
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PO2 Nick Burke
OK , but what if the one's questioning you are NOT the ones you trust? How much do they need to know? How comfortable are you sharing that personal info with them.
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PO1 (Join to see)
PO2 Nick Burke If someone from your CoC is one of the "trusted" ones and those asking either 1) are not a part of your CoC or 2) someone that "needs to know" then you bring it to the attention of those who are aware and let them do what they do best. Handle it. Either way it should help stop all the confrontations. Most CoCs don't want a "play by play" they just what to know if everything is okay or not.
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SSG Matthew Younger
I would say if there are many appointments then it does become the Chain of Command's duty to know. The Chain of Command is responsible for the readiness of the unit, if your condition interferes with readiness then it is their job to know. Every time you are absent due to an appointment, does another person have to make up for your absence. I would think your first line supervisor would know, then he/she could provide some cover for you from the rest of the chain of command. If nothing else, someone has to account for you, they may not know what the appointment is for exactly, but they do need to know where you are.
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Your commander and a select number of personnel folks have a duty and responsibility to know what ongoing medical issues that you may have, insofar as it affects your readiness and fitness for duty. Beyond that, your medical records are personal and protected by HIPPA laws.
A good example would be treatment for an STD (just an example, don't get mad) when you are married. It needs to get fixed and you might get a profile (I think the Navy calls them Limited Duty Chits), but answering too many questions could land one in hot water.
I for one don't want to go on any witch hunts, but I do want to know if I have a troop that is hurt and can't perform certain duties.
Without saying too much, do you feel that you have a reason to conceal your medical status, PO2 (Join to see)?
A good example would be treatment for an STD (just an example, don't get mad) when you are married. It needs to get fixed and you might get a profile (I think the Navy calls them Limited Duty Chits), but answering too many questions could land one in hot water.
I for one don't want to go on any witch hunts, but I do want to know if I have a troop that is hurt and can't perform certain duties.
Without saying too much, do you feel that you have a reason to conceal your medical status, PO2 (Join to see)?
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HN (Join to see)
Him being human is reason enough. Leadership doesn't need to know about conditions. Only limitations, why does everyone insist on leading people astray? Answer his question objectively and quit with the subjectivity. Do people really not care about the truth anymore?
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1SG (Join to see)
HN (Join to see) - I see what you are saying, but privacy is subjective in the military. The truth is, your commander WILL know what your conditions are, as will some admin folks and maybe the MEDO. They don't go around talking about it (big trouble if they do), but they have a duty to report accurately report what is needed to decision-makers.
The OP makes it sound as if there are multiple parties inquiring. If it were someone who needed to know, they wouldn't need to ask. They could pull it from MEDPROS.
The OP makes it sound as if there are multiple parties inquiring. If it were someone who needed to know, they wouldn't need to ask. They could pull it from MEDPROS.
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HN (Join to see)
Absolutely, I'm just concerned for the OP as he or she seems to be a victim or cap leadership. Iv seen so many times leadership not needing to know details for any other purpose than wanting to know. I hate seeing people be victims of this, as for example they force him to feed info that is extremely personal and heavily unrelated to mission readiness. I don't like seeing fellow service members be takin advantage of. I have seen what crop leadership can do to a good person. 1SG (Join to see) -
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HN (Join to see)
Iv heard a group of e7s cokeing and joking about a sailor I knows medical condition. It gets to the point where leadership doesn't need to know, if they want to dig let em dig it up. HN (Join to see) -
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Sounds like your new command had (or has) a serious problem with people BSing about appointments and need to ensure accountability.
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SSG Stephan Pendarvis
That was my thought too. If soldiers would just do commo check with their first line these problems would not be there...
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