Should convalescent leave be authorized outside of the post area?

2015-04-08T09:17:39-04:00

It's been a discussion in my Training Room/CO the last few days.

There is a soldier who is a GEO-BAT and about to have a surgery (ankel) that would give him 30 days of con leave. We are stationed at JBLM, WA. The soldier wants to take his con leave to see his wife/her child in TX for those 30 days.

Personally I'm of the opinion that if a soldier is well enough to fly around and travel to see his family that he is equally fit enough to be at work and just do some type of sitting job.

It's been interesting to see everyones different views on the subject. I was just curious as to what a larger more diverse community had to say about it.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 9:21 AM

2015-04-08T09:21:15-04:00

Yes, I think it should, depending on the circumstances. If the Soldier can safely travel and still get the required medical treatment, why not let him/her travel.

Let's see what the reg says about it ...

I don't see the restriction to remain in the post area in the reg (http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_8_10.pdf), but I can see how leaders would want their convalescing Soldiers in the area. It's not supposed to be a vacation, it's time to recover from an injury, surgery, etc.

Is that a local policy? Or am I missing it in the regulation?

Here's a quote from the reg:

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Section II

Task: Using Convalescent Leave

5–3. Rules to use convalescent leave

a. Convalescent leave is a nonchargeable absence from duty granted to expedite a Soldier’s return to full duty after illness, injury, or childbirth.

b. The hospital commander or designee is the approval authority for convalescent leave for 30 days or less (42 days after normal pregnancy and childbirth). Only hospital commanders will approve convalescent leave in excess of 42 days after childbirth when a Soldier is assigned or attached to the medical holding unit (AR 40–3, para 9–2) during one continuous period of hospitalization. If the Soldier is not hospitalized, unit commander is the approval authority (para 5–5).

c. The unit commander is the approval authority for up to 30 days convalescent leave (42 days after normal pregnancy and childbirth) for a Soldier returning to duty after illness or injury (para 5–7).

d. The approval authorities establish procedures for granting convalescent leave.

e. Hospital commanders are the only approval authority for requests in excess of 30 days (or in excess of 42 days for childbirth).

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Response by SSgt Daniel Warila made Apr 8 at 2015 9:37 AM

2015-04-08T09:37:45-04:00

Yes it should as someone who is about to be on permanent con. Leave staying on base would defeat the purpose. His wife and kids will take better care of him while he's there. If it's a medical leave no one outside of the medical field should make that call. I am fully disabled and cannot function without my family and sometimes I have to visit other members so my wife can have a break. I have never been assigned a personal assistant from the military, so I don't have a choice.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 10:03 AM

2015-04-08T10:03:26-04:00

Do you realize surgeries always carries a risk? Using general anesthesia has the possibility of damaging your brain cells, in addition that surgeries also implies trauma to the area, perhaps they need screws and plates, let me tell you, it hurts. So yes, it's better ti be home if you're going to be out of the battlefield for medical reasons. Assuming all surgeries are minor, it's dumb un my opinion. Having had family members, young, brain dead from a minor surgery, ambulatory, taught a lesson early in life.

I've had tonsils and appendix removed with local anesthesia, anything I can be awake I just don't want general. So please think again, unless you're a doctor or a medical provider, abstain from giving medical advice. if a medical authority is giving you 30 days, it means as a reasonable amount of time you recover.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 10:04 AM

2015-04-08T10:04:53-04:00

Yes, it should be authorized. It's not as though he'll be jet-setting to various countries and hitting the beaches. He's taking a 4-hour flight to family members who will aid in his recovery. I don't understand why this Soldier's situation is a topic of conversation within your training room, or among anyone other than his platoon sergeant, First Sergeant and Commander.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 10:16 AM

2015-04-08T10:16:18-04:00

I do not think it should. The service member needs to be near to the team that performed the proceedure should something go awry. Too many fingers can and will create greater problems further down the road.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 1:18 PM

2015-04-08T13:18:12-04:00

The Soldier is authorized the leave, why not allow the Soldier to be with their family?
There is nothing that should stop the Soldier from being able to do so, but even then why do it?
The leadership can only hurt the morale of the Soldier and the Command by not allowing him to.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 1:18 PM

2015-04-08T13:18:36-04:00

I understand what you're saying, WO1 Private RallyPoint Member, but I agree with SSG Colette S.'s point that not every one has support locally. If the situation involves a surgery, a member could opt to fly closer to family, receive treatment at that location, and then get the necessary care from family. I know that's not ideal, but it may be necessary in some instances. I think having an open mind to these situations and evaluating them on a case by case basis is best (although a blanket policy would be necessary to be fair).

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 3:54 PM

2015-04-08T15:54:28-04:00

Initial answer, (like everything in life) it depends.

The situation you describe makes me agree with you...the purpose on convalescent leave is to convalesce, or get healthy. The 30 days of con leave approved by the Med Officer is a recommendation to the Commander...not an automatic "gift" of 30 days of leave.

When I was a commander, a Soldier posted photos from Disney World while they were on Con Leave and got burned for it (and they should have). When we had Soldiers that got lengthy (and I call 30 lengthy) con leaves, we talked with the BDE Surgeon and usually had them come in after 10-14 days to see if they could come back to work.

If someone wants to spend time with family, then take pass or annual leave...that isn't what con leave is for.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 1:48 PM

2015-09-17T13:48:42-04:00

Yes! Had a buddy playing basketball who dunked, then fell and broke both wrists. He had a cast on both and couldn't wipe his own ass. My leadership sent him home to his mom on con leave for 30 days. If he would have stayed, somebody would have had a pretty.....crappy detail!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2018 3:40 PM

2018-08-07T15:40:32-04:00

Wow...just....wow.....be glad you don't work for me, SGT Thrasher...that's about all I have to say about your toxic leadership.