How does heat injury’s work for cadets?

2019-06-18T13:49:44-04:00

If I was checked out for signs of heat exhaustion on the range does that affect my chances of commissioning or going to schools/ other units?

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jun 18 at 2019 1:54 PM

2019-06-18T13:54:01-04:00

No, it does not. Make sure you let your unit know. A record of the heat exhaustion may put an extra eye on you when you're in schools, i.e. you may have instructors telling you to drink water more often. However, not notifying anyone can have adverse actions when it happens again, and they find out it is a repeat incident. You are always welcome to talk your unit's medic, or your UA for more information.

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Jun 18 at 2019 3:26 PM

2019-06-18T15:26:40-04:00

No but it needs to be documented and you will probably get to wear a little red tag on your gear every time you train in hit areas because they say if you have been a heat casualty once you are more likely to be one again

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jun 19 at 2019 7:57 AM

2019-06-19T07:57:05-04:00

First thing you need to do is figure out if you actually HAD heat exhaustion. You say you were checked out - what was the conclusion? What actions did the (I assume) medic take? If they checked you out and said "nah, bruh, you good" and let you continue training, then no harm, no foul, drink water. If they went into heat injury remediation, you probably had a heat injury. In that case, follow the advice already given by SGT Javier Silva and CPT Brad Wilson .

I never tried to commission, so I can't speak to that part. But I was both a prior heat injury AND a prior cold injury. Never stopped me from going to any school. (I was also a weak swimmer - I got a rainbow on my gear: red, blue, green). There are a COUPLE schools (Ranger comes to mind) that may restrict specifically WHEN you can go, but not WHETHER you can go.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jun 19 at 2019 9:09 AM

2019-06-19T09:09:35-04:00

If you are not contracted, you will have to do a medical exam where you lost your medical history. However, if you were not diagnosed my a medical specialist, you should not list it. I have seen people get disqualified or at least require follow ups because they listed something they think they had. Still, keep an eye on that and make sure you are drinking water. As a leader, you are expected to take care of your Soldiers and you can’t do that without taking care of yourself first.