Medical question for deployed National Guard?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 15:37:36 -0500

I am currently deployed to Afghanistan and happen to tear my ACL while working. The doctors are sending me back to the states for surgery and recovery. As an National Guard member will I be sent to a post and receive surgery and rehab until completed or do they have another process for National Guard members?

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Dec 4 at 2019 3:45 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 15:45:00 -0500

They should keep you on active duty until you are healed to a place where they can return you to civilian life in the same shape they found you. Most likely you will have the procedure at the closest military installation to your home or the post you mobilized at. They should provide you with options.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 4 at 2019 3:53 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 15:53:49 -0500

Just out of curiosity what post are they sending you?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2019 6:58 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 18:58:38 -0500

If you are deployed to the AO that is nearest to Germany, then you will probably head to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center first. They have the surgical capabilities. If you are sent to LRMC and have the surgery there, you will either do rehab there (possibly unlikely) or sent back to the States for rehab when you are stable for travel. And, depending on the length of rehab, you will either be sent back to theater when treatment is complete or you will stay stateside. Either way, your orders for Active Duty will stay in place until you are all done.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2019 7:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 19:19:23 -0500

If the post has a WTU they most likely will assign you to one, and you will stay on active duty orders until medical deems you healed and release you. Now back in 2008 when I worked at Ft. Hood's WTU we did move soldiers to a WTU closer to home if requested. We had a National Guard MSG who damaged a vertebrate in his neck. He deployed thru Ft. Hood, but was allowed to transfer to Ft. Knox since his home was in Ohio.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Dec 4 at 2019 8:42 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 20:42:06 -0500

intruder Alert... red flag warning... Keep all your paperwork and medical records... make sure you have signed LOD's in country.... If you saw bodies or were attacked...in combat... get documents. Buddy letter on injury... Normally you go to a med hold unit from the major Fort you SRP'd. Make sure to tell all when you leave the Afgan... on your Physical checklist
. Such as depression... sleep..
Etc... cause if you don't and the Army MED Boards you.. The Guard may give you the boot... too. I would talk with JAG.... and understand VA and MEDBOARD... rules.. I know many Guardsmen kicked to the curb... including my self.

Response by SFC Joanna Rydzewski made Dec 5 at 2019 12:31 AM

SFC Joanna Rydzewski — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 00:31:51 -0500

You will be sent to your home armory possibly. Then the closes base hospital or could send you to Germany or State side Walter Reed. I was national guard active duty and had gall bladder surgery at local base hosp. in NJ. My girlfriend was active reserve over there had a brain injury. Transferred her to PA for surgery. Then transferred to local base hosp. Your active at time of injury. LOD on record. Treated as active and rehab included too. They try to keep you close to family when possibly.