Posted on Jun 29, 2015
MSG Military To Military (M2 M) Ncoic
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LCDR Naval Aviator
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PULHES generally refers to injuries or deformities, as far as I can tell. I'd say that sends a message that you can be useful even if you have a physical limitation.
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SFC Dave H.
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It demonstrates that the world is not "perfect" . The NCO has skill sets and experience that are still valuable to TRADOC. Just because the PLT SGT can't "run" does not mean he can not perform in all other areas. Troops learn that the Army is a career, and if you develop certain amount of experience and training knowledge having a PULHES of 2 will not stall your career.
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MSG First Sergeant
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I will be absolutely candid, In My opinion anyone that can't take a 3 event APFT should either be put into MEB (<15 yrs TIS) or retired (>15 yrs TIS).

Especially not being able to do the run. The ability to move your own body weight, another ~45lbs of kit, over unpredictable distances is a non negotiable skill all Soldiers should have.

I say this knowing some great NCOs that are physically restricted. But if we are to be a truly expeditionary, adaptable, and flexible army then we must only retain the best qualified people.

If you have to get a waiver, you are not the best qualified.
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SFC Construction Engineering Supervisor
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Wow, that's a little rough. So you're saying that those like me that are at 19 yrs and limited medically that have served honorably, not dodged deployment and are highly qualified for many things should be MEB'd and not allowed to reach a 20 yr retirement because we can't run?
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MSG First Sergeant
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SFC Brownworth, I just saw some of my comment got deleted... Typed it from a phone.

No I would draw the line at 15 years greater than 15 would be retired, less than 15 MEB.

And I would do this to myself also. I reach my 6 month mark for Medical determination post surgery in August for my shoulder. I will still be less than 20 years. If I am still not able to perform, I should be thanked for my time and sent back to the farm.
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CPT Fccme
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1SG, I respect your personal philosophy of not desiring to burden the force with your injury. Most injuries do come as a cost of service however. And it is the rare individual who makes it to his 20 years of service without an injury of some sort.
If you are told, ""thank you, but you're too used up and no good to us now, so be on your way..." that isn't too much of a thank you. That is discarding old equipment. And we are not that.
I too have a permanent profile. Mine is for running. It will likely hinder my professional progress in the not-to-distant future. I am still working on overcoming the profile, but it hasn't happened in the last two years, and I may never.
It is my opinion that we keep senior personnel around, not because of their physical abilities, but what they are able to achieve through their spirit, knowledge, intelligence, training and experience. If those were not the reasons we have senior NCO's and officers, then why have them at all?
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MSG First Sergeant
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Sir, Congrats on making the list.

I hear that argument. But as we move to the Adaptable, flexible, and expeditionary Army the Chief of Staff envisions/ed, there is no room for " you're broke, but have knowledge so we will retain. "
We must only retain the best and most qualified. Keeping old guys around that are broke for the sake of knowledge is wasting billets. If you stick them all in TRADOC, you have a bunch of broke guys showing the young kids " perform how I tell you, and not as I can" If you leave them in FORSCOM, you have slots taken up that should go to the most qualified (physically and technically). If not you get a guy in the S3 shop that is poo hot but you lose him when you go into theater because he is non-deployable? That's bad business.

Anyone that can't hold up their end in any shape or fashion should be shown the door. And if I fall into that boat next month, then so be it. The ride was fun, and I know the cost of the Rodeo.
Now I'm not saying we leave these guys out in the cold. We seriously need to develop our VA programs to make it work.

If we truly want to build a Warrior ethos and Warrior way, this is the way to go. Most qualified, period. Anything else is a half measure.
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