How can I help a fellow soldier who wants to go to behavioral health, but is worried it will affect his career progression?

2016-10-31T20:02:21-04:00

Told him it wouldn't affect it

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Oct 31 at 2016 8:06 PM

2016-10-31T20:06:28-04:00

Hard decision for sure. It will not hurt your career. I went to BH a couple of times in the first years of my career and still made E-1 to E-7 first time up. Smart people get help.

Now aside from that - if they want to talk to someone off the record, please send them to me...

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 31 at 2016 8:11 PM

2016-10-31T20:11:50-04:00

Have him go talk to them. The stigma of it hurting his career is just that. The Service wants HEALTHY people. That's what BH is doing, getting him healthy. Far better from a PREVENTIVE standpoint than a REACTIVE or CATASTROPHIC standpoint.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 31 at 2016 8:25 PM

2016-10-31T20:25:47-04:00

depending what he has to say He should be good to go... they are there to Help...

Response by SFC Anthony Shaffer made Oct 31 at 2016 8:44 PM

2016-10-31T20:44:09-04:00

Link him up with your unit MFLC the have a absolutely zero paper policy, unless there is a danger of them hurting themselves or someone else.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Oct 31 at 2016 8:50 PM

2016-10-31T20:50:40-04:00

Hopefully you won't have to deal with this later in life when your Parents start to depend on you more and you need to make a decision if they are still competent to make financial decisions or drive a car. Answer to your question is IF your his friend you will find a way to get him there. You shouldn't take NO for an answer here if you think something is wrong. His long-term mental health is a LOT more important than anything the Army has to offer him period. This also could be nothing more than just a precaution check-up that would give him peace of mind.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 31 at 2016 10:35 PM

2016-10-31T22:35:10-04:00

What will effect his career progression is if he does nothing; has a negative interaction with Law Enforcement or the Chain Of Command; and then has it all oooze out the sides.

Response by SSG Scott Summers made Oct 31 at 2016 11:19 PM

2016-10-31T23:19:19-04:00

Just like everyone else has said get him the help he needs, Chaplains, MFLC, BH get him there.

Response by SPC Phil Norton made Nov 1 at 2016 12:10 AM

2016-11-01T00:10:48-04:00

I would say get him there it might end his career as it did mine the worst thing the army ever said to me was your usefulness as a soldier is up but I left with an honorable discharge and get all my benefits now he could try to tough it out and go sideways and get booted with a dishonorable and then he will be here in civi world with nowhere to turn to if he's a combat veteran he can't even join the VFW or other veteran organizations benefits outway risk and I believe the military is getting better with mental health get him there it might save his life and career

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 7:51 AM

2016-11-01T07:51:30-04:00

When it comes to mental health, it can freak someone out because of the tons and tons of symptoms/diagnosis that can be made. It's good that you told him that it won't affect his career, because 9 times out of 10, it won't (like if he's ADHD or something, for example). If it would help him, ask to talk to Chaps or someone of a senior NCO who he has more trust, or if nothing holds, ask him if he wants you to go with him. He's put trust into you telling you that he wanted to go behavioral health, so why not keep that trust?

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Nov 1 at 2016 9:19 AM

2016-11-01T09:19:37-04:00

Tell him to go. Not going and the issues and incidents resulting from not going will most likely be more damaging to his career progression than any stigma attached with seeking assistance. Unless the COC is a bunch of absolute dipshits.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 9:55 AM

2016-11-01T09:55:28-04:00

It takes a stronger person to get the help they need NOW than to rather not get the help and have the problem get worse and REALLY affect their career progression. Take your friend to get the help needed.

Response by SPC Kari Grove Wright made Nov 1 at 2016 10:32 AM

2016-11-01T10:32:32-04:00

There is no shame in asking for help. I noticed a soldier was not acting the same after deployment. He deployed with another detachment. I told the SFC I was concerned, we were able to get him the help he needed.
What'sent the poster at the TMC say "it takes courage and strength to ask for help. " if one cares they will make sure they get the help they need.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 1 at 2016 11:51 AM

2016-11-01T11:51:42-04:00

Good recommendations on getting thine butt over to BH to get things fixed before things get worse. The stuff that's not talked about is the process and firewalls in place at promotion boards. Reviewers are only allowed to look at the service record, not the medical record. There are also typical precepts which govern what's fair game, not making assumptions, etc. in performing the duties. For all the boards I sat on, I don't recall ever seeing something that can be inferred as a BH or other medical issue. Even on the CS side which has access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), there's a strong firewall there too. I sat on the senior management board for years and only see the usage figures overall with nothing that would point to a specific person. The leadership culture has shifted to seeing BH as a plus as you're not running and hiding from dealing with issues. The numbers have been in for some time that the added expense of running a BH program saves money overall as it keeps a number of well (and expensively) trained folk in and is a morale plus. So if there is a leadership issue with BH, then there is a toxic aspect to those leaders.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 2:04 PM

2016-11-01T14:04:03-04:00

It's better to go of your own free will, than to be told to go. Confidentiality is a serious part of BH. Unless your Command orders you to go, you're covered unless there's abuse or UCMJ violations. The goal of BH soldiers is to keep you in not separate.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 2:49 PM

2016-11-01T14:49:06-04:00

There is no block on an NCOER or place on the ERB to record that they went to seek medical attention. The idea that they will have professional repercussions is a false one. In my 20 years of service so far I have never seen any of the stigma that is talked about.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Nov 1 at 2016 5:14 PM

2016-11-01T17:14:58-04:00

It shouldn't. The military is doing a better job these days of ensuring that it isn't a mar on someone's career progression.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 8:04 PM

2016-11-01T20:04:05-04:00

Anyone who holds a Soldier back from career progression for seeking help is a P.O.S. As others have stated, getting help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. More issues will manifest in performance when help is not sought out and that will be the hindrance to career progression.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2016 10:08 AM

2016-11-02T10:08:13-04:00

Update soldier went to bahavior health between me telling him to go and me showing him the feedback from this post he felt comfortable going thanks to everyone that gave input you all helped a soldier out!

Response by PO2 Sybil "TT" I. made Nov 3 at 2016 3:22 AM

2016-11-03T03:22:40-04:00

I'd be honest. Yeah, it could definately affect it (I've seen it). But, if you don't get help...it's going to get worse, and your butt will be out anyways (seen that to). So, you have more to gain by trying to address it early, right now, rather than later where your whole life can get derailed, and you won't have any resources available. I mean how much help are you going to get with let's say the VA if you get discharged for acting out, not taking care of yourself, family problems, drinking/drugs, ect...? The sooner he addresses his problems and gets squared away, the less likely it will affect his career. Of course, it does depend on what his career is... (just a prediction) but it's not happening regardless if it's one of those "special" careers. Just my two cents.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Nov 3 at 2016 11:58 AM

2016-11-03T11:58:44-04:00

If he wants to go there is a reason!!! Get him there and reassure him/her that it will in no way affect his career progression. If it does, the ones taking the retaliation will be prosecuted...there are protections for reasons. I have been myself and it was a tremendous blessing and allowed me to continue to serve. I have also recommended and sent others in my commands. These folks are there for a reason and if your friend is asking then he or she needs the help and needs it now. Good on them for realizing they need the help. Good on you for being a good battle buddy!!!

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Nov 3 at 2016 4:12 PM

2016-11-03T16:12:34-04:00

The soldier's well-being is of utmost importance. Going untreated for any mental illness/behavior is bad. It not only hurts the person, but those affected by and around him or her. Depression, for instance, is experienced by all at some level. By getting treatment, it will show that he/she wants/ed to get better. Avoiding a problem is a negative.

Response by PV2 Wayne Grinnell made Nov 9 at 2019 1:24 PM

2019-11-09T13:24:45-05:00

If He’s afraid of damaging his career, go and talk with other vets at the VFW. My Father was a Nam vet. It affected me as I was growing up. It wasn’t till he got Cancer from agent O that he begun to relax enough to talk to me.... When He was at Madigan he began to talk to the guys rotating through from overseas tours. It takes someone who has “walked the walk” to talk the Talk. You need to talk to a Brother that has been in the trenches and knows where your coming from. Iraq, Afghan, Nam, Korea, WW ll.... different theaters but the same Brothers at your side. That’s why the mil is a Brotherhood. No civilian will ever understand Who You Are or what your life was like except another Vet.