Should US Military be involved with ebola?

2014-10-06T10:33:04-04:00

Response by SSG John Erny made Oct 6 at 2014 10:36 AM

2014-10-06T10:36:27-04:00

What are we supposed to do, shoot it?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2014 10:37 AM

2014-10-06T10:37:37-04:00

Are you asking whether Grunts should be involved...maybe, if the civilians lose control. Now, if we're looking for the specialists...in the U.S. as a front line measure...no, that's the civilians jobs. Outside the country....absolutely.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2014 12:15 PM

2014-10-06T12:15:50-04:00

Ebola is a national security threat, therefore I say yes. The military should be involved in combating ebola because we have unique capabilities, resources and skill sets that could be leveraged to help combat the spreading pandemic. Ebola, if left unchecked has the capability to disrupt societies and economies with a ripple effect felt throughout the world. It is probably one of the most destabilizing threats that we face in the world today and I rank it as nearly on par with ISIS and Al-Qaeda in term of the danger it poses to the global community. One of the most important things that the military can do is assist in constructing additional medical facilities to help reinforce the fragile medical infrastructure that is currently working at capacity overload. Without the facilities in place to help contain the outbreak, the virus will continue to spread and the problem will become even more difficult to deal with. In my opinion, the military shouldn't be taking the lead, but assisting the WHO, UN, CDC, Red Cross, and other NGOs directly involved in the health care efforts.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2014 1:18 PM

2014-10-06T13:18:24-04:00

An added benifit of military assistance is that we can deploy thousands of Soldiers to the effected areas with plenty of MOPP gear and hazmat euipment to help get the job done. The chemo corps, medical services and engineers will probably be the best equipped to help deal with the outbreak. I think building field hospitals and decontamination facilities would be one of the highest priorities.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Oct 6 at 2014 1:51 PM

2014-10-06T13:51:00-04:00

Guess what lucky PAO is getting deployed to support this very short-notice mission?

This girl right here.

Well...at least y'all will be updated frequently...assuming I have internet access that is lol.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2014 2:13 PM

2014-10-06T14:13:02-04:00

I think this is something we have to be careful but yes, get involved if it means keeping the virus to a minimum contamination area. Is it necessary, I don't believe so because there are more parties (other countries) affected and we can't bear the brunt every time there is a pandemic. We are stretched beyond breaking.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2014 8:40 PM

2014-10-06T20:40:28-04:00

I have previously broached this subject... I said no then. I say no now.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2014 2:09 PM

2014-10-07T14:09:35-04:00

There are countries in this world, as an unfortunate reality who are too fractured and uneducated to police their own sick. They very well should, but they can't. So, in order to keep the rest of the world from eyeball hemorrhaging, the US military comes to the rescue. We have no capes, but we have our PT belts, and that's protection enough.

Response by SSG Jacob Wiley made Oct 7 at 2014 2:58 PM

2014-10-07T14:58:53-04:00

Nope.

USAID / WHO / UN / any other initials - they can all go. Why does the nation's fighting force need to go? Since when do we "fight disease"? What about real threats?

How can we validate sending 3K troops and $500M to another continent, at the same time as we further cut the military force (but hire illegals) and the pentagon "promises to seek pay and benefit reductions again"? Got money for sick African people, but we'll back-stab our American warriors and claim budget cuts!!!

Is it sad a bunch of folks are sick and dying? Sure is.
Do I really give half a damn as compared to what's going on in our own country that is in need of repair, but going ignored? Nope.

How does one contract Ebola? Bodily fluids from another person: saliva, sweat, blood, vomit, urine, etc. SO.....sounds like best advice would be QUIT F*#$ing and keep your AO clean. Sure, much easier said than done.

We've known how to prevent the spread of AIDs...still running around passing it along though.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2014 3:32 PM

2014-10-07T15:32:39-04:00

I wonder how long it will be before Boko Haram figures out that they have the perfect biological weapon in their back yard.

I further wonder how long it will be before the world figures out they need a full containment/ quarantine protocol executed before that disease breaks out fully. We simply must shut down commercial flights in and out of the affected areas excepting aid and health care professionals.

I also think that the military forces deployed in the area need to be utilized to secure US citizens and aid workers in the likely event society breaks down and we need to get our people out.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2014 3:49 PM

2014-10-07T15:49:32-04:00

NO, that being said, all those who said that we should have valid organizational/logistical points. The military has clear and effective lines of organization and command, and the muscle to back up any needs as they arise. BUT, "should we" is the question that has not been answered to my satisfaction as one who signs the checks, a taxpayer. As SSG Wiley mentioned, we do have a few other things going on, and searching for mission to demonstrate our worth, one that is not directly or indirectly related to war-fighting seems to be a stretch. I wonder if this not just one more example of mission creep, or "wind it (the military) up and point it in the direction of a problem that we don't know how to handle" My 2 cents. If there was a fear of Ebola or any other hemorragic fever being weaponized, absolutely send our 50 pound brains from USAMRIID to monitor/fight, but I've not seen that this is a concern. It just seems that this is sending a sledgehammer to do a microscope's work and the logistics of going into this area of the world are going to be a nightmare, just for our own life support, not to mention the mission.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2014 4:09 PM

2014-10-07T16:09:16-04:00

I spent my first 2 years in working with CBIRF (chem/bio incident response force) who is out there now. This is the exact stuff we trained for beyond chem weapons. This is EXACTLY where you need military. Beyond the expertise, we can hold a quarantine with weapons, which sadly is VERY important.

Response by SFC Jason Bautista made Oct 8 at 2014 1:21 PM

2014-10-08T13:21:34-04:00

Hope not...or this will be me.

Response by CPT Eric Diaz made Oct 8 at 2014 2:41 PM

2014-10-08T14:41:34-04:00

I would argue that the first reason is that Ebola "now" has the possibility of affecting National Security. Due to the ease of travel around the world and the long incubation period of Ebola and outbreak is a possibility here in the US. Even though the government is instituting travel restrictions and guidelines, ie questionnaires and taking temperatures, these techniques are not effective and do more to ease people’s fears than to actually stop the spread of the virus.

What is important to understand is that Ebola outbreaks have been happening for some time, and the CDC has been fighting the outbreaks, the difference today is that the improvement in the country’s infrastructure have allowed infected personal from previously isolated villages travel to towns and cities to spread the infection. Furthermore if the outbreak continues in the current pace, then it could lead to massive destabilization of the region, which can lead to a host of other problems.

Some may argue that since this is an international issue, there should be an international effort. That may be true, but while an international coalition is being built the virus will spread, Ebola will not wait for meetings and councils. The US military is capable of stopping this while the rest of the world figures out what to do. And it is vitally important to slow and ultimately stop the spread before it becomes a much larger issue, such as taking a foothold in Europe.

As far as the fear about US military personnel becoming infected, that is a valid concern, but because of the nature of what we do, quarantining one of us is not the most difficult process, as opposed to any civilians that may be travelling in and around the area. I would argue that there is minimal to zero risk of a military person spreading the infection.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Oct 8 at 2014 3:22 PM

2014-10-08T15:22:22-04:00

Here are my own personal thoughts on this.... YES. Do I like it? NO. Here is why I say yes: The military has a number of advantages that nobody else has: 1. Adaptable medical system (tail gate first aid though high level deployed medical facilities. 2. Assets to MOVE said medical facilities/equipment/staff in an awful big hurry. 3. Global Reach (goes with #2), 4. Training: all military members have received training on NBC....guess what? this is one of them. Tailor training to fit the need. 5. Built in security....grunts, artillery, military police , etc...all can be turned outward for perimeter or inward to ensure quarantine. 6. established logistics systems which can be accelerated.

Do I really want to be the one activated to go over, set up this type of facility, and then care for something that will kill me if I don’t follow my precautions correctly? Not really, but I would be willing to bet that we are better trained in this then many others. We are sworn to protect from enemies both foreign and domestic…. This one can’t be seen, but it IS an enemy. If not us…..WHO?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2014 5:12 PM

2014-10-11T17:12:21-04:00

repeated

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2014 5:13 PM

2014-10-11T17:13:48-04:00

WORTH READING: Plague, War: Zombies & Strategy
this article, from about the middle on down is worth reading from a
gov medical perspective....there are valid concerns about the breakdown of
gov and order such another plague like epidemic take place.

War, Zombies and Strategy
https://www.redanalysis.org/2014/09/22/war-zombies-strategy/

War, Zombies and Strategy

As we sawpreviously, the “zombie apocalypse” (Valantin, Invasion Z: zombie wars or resource wars?, 2014) chronicled through various novels, movies, TV and Internet…

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Oct 11 at 2014 5:22 PM

2014-10-11T17:22:58-04:00

Honestly what better group is there to go to a region where infrastructure is almost nonexistent, there is a biological threat, and there are people who think western medicine is more dangerous than their superstitions? As lousy of a deal as it sounds like, the military may be the best resource to use in this case to set up hospitals, control a biological threat, and set up medical treatment facilities.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Oct 11 at 2014 5:31 PM

2014-10-11T17:31:32-04:00

My humble opinion is no.

Response by SPC Steven Brannon made Oct 11 at 2014 7:54 PM

2014-10-11T19:54:51-04:00

No!

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Oct 12 at 2014 2:40 PM

2014-10-12T14:40:57-04:00

What really concerns me is how often we get caught up in our missions and we don't realize when we're sick or injured.

Also, most soldiers try to "tough it out" which is great in most situations. It will be a challenge changing our mindset from "suck it up and drive on" to "get medical help immediately".

http://rly.pt/ebola-evacuation

If infected with Ebola, troops would fly out of Africa on special charter

Any servicemember falling ill with Ebola during deployment to Liberia will likely be evacuated the same way other Ebola patients already have been transported to the U.S. and Europe: on a jet specially equipped to provide treatment and prevent transmission of the disease.

Response by SGT Richard Jacobs made Oct 12 at 2014 10:11 PM

2014-10-12T22:11:24-04:00

Not no, but HELL NO!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 2:00 PM

2014-10-13T14:00:52-04:00

I think our regiment of being anal for accountability during traveling for deployment and redeployment will actually do some good out there. As long as we stay out of the towns & villages like we're supposed too then I think we'll alright. But we are talking about the Army so we'll find out won't we

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2014 7:51 AM

2014-10-15T07:51:06-04:00

UPDATE:
Reserve, Guard May Deploy Against Ebola: New Missions, New Tensions
By SYDNEY J. FREEDBERG JR.on October 14, 2014 at 1:56 PM AUSA: Even as the first wave of 4,000 Army regulars deploys to West Africa, the service’smobilization command is preparing for a possible call-up of Reserve and National Guardtroops to replace them in six months, Lt. Gen. Michael Tucker told me today. “There are no orders yet,” the First Army commander cautioned, just precautionary planning. But with Ebola on the rise and most of the Army’s medical personnel resident in the so-called Reserve Component, a spring 2015 deployment looks likely.
Fighting a virus instead of terrorists, wielding syringes instead of rifles, wearing plastic hoods instead of helmets: It would be a different kind of mission for the Reserve and Guard from the 13 years of land war that have consumed them since 9/11. It’s also an exemplar of the wider variety of non-combat missions the Army expects be doing in the future. And it’s a new kind of challenge for which First Army is reorganizing even as it shrinks. Tucker’s task is to maintain close ties between full-time and part-time soldiers, despite smaller budgets and growing tensions between the active and reserve components.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2014 8:28 AM

2014-10-15T08:28:16-04:00

UPDATE
Spain Exposes Holes in Plans to Treat Ebola
BY JIM YARDLEY
Madrid, where a nurse contracted the disease, mostly dismantled its infectious disease center as part of a government cost-cutting plan.

http://p.nytimes.com/email/re?location=InCMR7g4BCKC2wiZPkcVUgEiCInL2C0y&user_id=8d016ec0f55d769fd5a4bd9f08bf9b47&email_type=eta&task_id= [login to see] 7840&regi_id=0

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2014 8:51 AM

2014-10-15T08:51:47-04:00

UPDATE: Ebola Now Election Issue

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/220774-ebola-is-2014-october-surprise

Ebola is 2014 October surprise

Ebola has become the October surprise of this year’s midterm elections.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2014 9:53 AM

2014-10-16T09:53:25-04:00

UPDATE:

http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=242319283

U.S. troops in Ebola mission may be quarantined - CNN.com

U.S. military commanders have authority to quarantine Ebola mission troops for 21 days at Defense Department facility for monitoring, treatment, memo says.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2014 7:30 PM

2014-10-19T19:30:34-04:00

The truth is it is not ebola....but rather the zombie apocalypse so yes.

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca is coming out of retirement for it.

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made Oct 20 at 2014 12:01 PM

2014-10-20T12:01:14-04:00

In truth, I can only think of one type unit that has the expertise to handle anything like Ebola. That would be the Civil Support Teams (WMD) that each state should have by now, some will have two or three. They belong to the ARNG and high speed when it comes to Nuclear, Biological and Chemical scenarios. They are trained in numerous forms of Decon, Detection and remediation. They live in level "A" suits with SCBA or Re-breathers. Their medical section and communication section are top of the line, and they are mobile. That may be the reason that the ARNG has been rumored to deploy.
I spent a few years as a survey member on the WV team. The Survey Team is the folks that run into the Methyl-Ethyl bad shit, when everyone else is running the other way and loosing their mind. Great bunch of folks to have in your corner when the bad NBC shit rains down.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 3:23 PM

2014-10-20T15:23:25-04:00

Update:

http://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2014/10/us-troops-fighting-ebola-west-africa-are-earning-bonus-pay/96821/#.VET4L184hkw.email

U.S. Troops Fighting Ebola in West Africa Are Earning Bonus Pay

Military members can earn up to $400 extra per month.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 3:26 PM

2014-10-20T15:26:51-04:00

Here' another:
http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2014/10/breaking-ebola-scare-pentagon/96752/#.VET2l0GWsmo.email

Ebola Scare Comes to the Pentagon

Pentagon officials have shut down a parking lot and entrance after officials find ill woman who allegedly recently visited Africa. By Kevin Baron

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2014 1:02 PM

2014-10-21T13:02:45-04:00

It's like asking should the military be involved in any thing outside the US?
I don't know if there is one correct answer

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2014 1:40 PM

2014-11-13T13:40:14-05:00

Latest update from the World Health Org:

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/situation-reports/en/

Ebola Situation Reports | Ebola

See all situation reports

Response by PFC Kevin Adrian made Nov 16 at 2014 12:23 AM

2014-11-16T00:23:40-05:00

God be wit you, but short answer is know. Keeping it out of the United States yes, sending them medical supplies, yes. But sending our young men and women, I do not think so. It is not our soldiers job to deal with this. Is this not why we have the International agencies of the UN (Oh wait they really have never done anything worthwhile have they). This is just my opinion.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2014 3:15 PM

2014-11-17T15:15:24-05:00

http://www.govexec.com/defense/2014/11/why-its-too-early-forget-about-ebola/99179/#.VGpVwKDdoUQ.email

Why It's Too Early to Forget About Ebola

The Ebola outbreak is far from over in West Africa. Pay attention, America.

Response by SPC(P) Carlos Santini made Dec 13 at 2014 9:45 AM

2014-12-13T09:45:12-05:00

NO. Period.