Posted on Apr 6, 2019
If I'm put on quarters by military doctor, can my unit force me to work?
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I was put on quarters by a military doctor due to the flu. My unit forced me to come in to help administer an APFT. Is this allowed? PFC (Join to see) SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" LTC Stephen F. CPL Dave Hoover SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth PVT James Strait SSG (Join to see) Capt Dwayne Conyers CPT Jack Durish
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Posted 5 y ago
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I had that happen once. I had a severe case of flu with 103° fever. I got back to my my platoon sergeant’s office and gave him the quarters slip. He tore it up and told me to go to the SRC to get my vaccinations for deployment. It caused a lot of problems, but I called the flight doc at our TMC. She was PISSED. I was standing at parade rest (trying not to fall over) while she had my commander on a conference call with the platoon sergeant. She was chewing them out talking about how they had no reason to countermand her medical order, and that if they didn’t send me home she was going to take it to the battalion commander. She was all of 5ft, but she was a pistol. I had to go back and get another quarters slip, but I was asleep at home 20 minutes after I left the platoon office.
We had a crazy toxic command in that unit, and it was well known as a meat grinder for troopers. For some reason they felt the need to always volunteer us for ever stupid detail (for higher command recognition of course), penalized legit sick call requests, and even fought my cancer surgery. They wanted me to deploy first, and then do it when I came back....for cancer. They also sent up a 4187 for “erroneous” promotion while I was on rear detachment following a DA select promotion. Their reason? The acting first sergeant told me that no cancer riddled “cripple” would make SGT while he was still in the army.
We had a crazy toxic command in that unit, and it was well known as a meat grinder for troopers. For some reason they felt the need to always volunteer us for ever stupid detail (for higher command recognition of course), penalized legit sick call requests, and even fought my cancer surgery. They wanted me to deploy first, and then do it when I came back....for cancer. They also sent up a 4187 for “erroneous” promotion while I was on rear detachment following a DA select promotion. Their reason? The acting first sergeant told me that no cancer riddled “cripple” would make SGT while he was still in the army.
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CPL Jeremy Glenn
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
It wasn’t the worst, but the way the CO ran stuff fostered a toxic environment. There were a lot of good NCO’s, but they couldn’t do much. The ones that stood up for their soldiers were demoted or put in their place fast. This was also at the height of the toxic leadership era(I don’t know if it’s still as bad). This is the same E7 that told me he would “take care me” once we got in country. He was FURIOUS that a new to the unit soldier (I’d been there only a few months) knew what he could and couldn’t do by the reg. What’s worse is that it was a support company in an aviation battalion. For some reason the leadership acted like they had something to prove. They thought they had to be the hardest company in the battalion. They made everything 10 times harder than it had to be. Thing is because of that they had the worst morale in the brigade.
It wasn’t the worst, but the way the CO ran stuff fostered a toxic environment. There were a lot of good NCO’s, but they couldn’t do much. The ones that stood up for their soldiers were demoted or put in their place fast. This was also at the height of the toxic leadership era(I don’t know if it’s still as bad). This is the same E7 that told me he would “take care me” once we got in country. He was FURIOUS that a new to the unit soldier (I’d been there only a few months) knew what he could and couldn’t do by the reg. What’s worse is that it was a support company in an aviation battalion. For some reason the leadership acted like they had something to prove. They thought they had to be the hardest company in the battalion. They made everything 10 times harder than it had to be. Thing is because of that they had the worst morale in the brigade.
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They are not supposed to do that. Now they can take responsibility for any adverse actions that happen as a result.
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I don’t understand what you mean by forced. If you were at home already, how did they force you to come in?
If it was me, I would not have returned to work. As long as you have your quarters slip from your provider you were covered if they decided to take any action against you.
My observation, no disrespect intended to any Commander or leadership, when Soldiers follow guidance like you provided, unintentionally you’re giving negative power to leadership because they assume you don’t know any better and will just do it without contacting the provider. This is the start to creating a toxic leader (not all leadership is like this) Once they do it to one, it becomes easier to do to the next.
I would talk to IG to get their take on this, maybe you can prevent this from happening to someone else.
If it was me, I would not have returned to work. As long as you have your quarters slip from your provider you were covered if they decided to take any action against you.
My observation, no disrespect intended to any Commander or leadership, when Soldiers follow guidance like you provided, unintentionally you’re giving negative power to leadership because they assume you don’t know any better and will just do it without contacting the provider. This is the start to creating a toxic leader (not all leadership is like this) Once they do it to one, it becomes easier to do to the next.
I would talk to IG to get their take on this, maybe you can prevent this from happening to someone else.
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SFC (Join to see)
Wow....all I can say is I’m so sorry you didn’t have good direct leadership to support you. Always remember all leadership will teach you something. They will either inspire through their mentorship you to be the best or they will teach how NOT to be. You should be proud of yourself for not letting them break you and becoming as toxic as them. Continue to strive to be the best and make sure to take care of subordinates assigned under your supervision. Good luck to you future leader....CPL Jeremy Glenn
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CPL Jeremy Glenn
SFC (Join to see)
Well I’m medically retired (in 2012) after several surgeries and cancer, but I appreciate what you said. I just wish there was a way to file some sort of request to have that rank restored, but since they filed erroneous promotion paperwork I was told I can’t.
It’s good to know that things have changed since I got out. What I call the height of the “toxic leadership era” was really bad.
A good NCO is worth 100 decent officers. I’m glad there are NCOs like you to help shape the leaders of tomorrow.
Well I’m medically retired (in 2012) after several surgeries and cancer, but I appreciate what you said. I just wish there was a way to file some sort of request to have that rank restored, but since they filed erroneous promotion paperwork I was told I can’t.
It’s good to know that things have changed since I got out. What I call the height of the “toxic leadership era” was really bad.
A good NCO is worth 100 decent officers. I’m glad there are NCOs like you to help shape the leaders of tomorrow.
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SFC (Join to see)
Thank you for serving. It’s always a loss to the Army when we lose good Soldiers trying to do the right thing. I hope you’re being taken care of right with the VA since your medical retirement. And thank you for the gratitude. I made not be able to assist with guiding all of the junior Soldiers but I hope to make a difference in the ones I do come into contact with, direct or indirect. CPL Jeremy Glenn
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CPL Jeremy Glenn
SFC (Join to see)
I was one of the first soldiers to go through the newer IDES process. That was the best thing the army could have done. The army, VA, and social security stuff was all done at the same time. Other than some access issues at first I can’t complain.
I was one of the first soldiers to go through the newer IDES process. That was the best thing the army could have done. The army, VA, and social security stuff was all done at the same time. Other than some access issues at first I can’t complain.
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