Posted on Jul 31, 2015
Why is there a difference in (medical)standards when a enlisted member applies for an officer appointment?
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Five years ago, Specialist Alvin Tolliver, Jr. joined the United States Army Reserve. Medically, he was found fully qualified. He had a surgically-corrected herniated disc from playing football at Eastern Washington University 14 years ago.
Since enlisting, he has never been found non-deployable or placed on profile. The herniated disk was never a problem. Tolliver is an “iron man,” a stellar soldier scoring extremely high on every PT test. He works in the 92F (Petroleum Supply Specialist) career field where the physical demand rating is “very high” due to the lifting of heavy pipes and machinery.
What is impressive about this citizen-soldier are the credentials and awards he has received throughout his life and USAR career. Here are a few of his accomplishments in the Army:
1. 95% of his Army Physical Fitness Test are above the standard scoring 290’s and above.
2. Received the Army Commendation Medal for being the Soldier of the Cycle in Basic Training
3. Runner-Up in the Sustainer Challenge which is a competition that is devoted to warrior task (rucking, shooting, land navigation, etc) which test the soldier’s endurance. It is very similar to the Army’s Best Warrior Competition.
4. Recipient of several Army Certificates of Achievement for leadership and upholding the Army’s Seven Values.
5. Class President and Lead Motivator Award was awarded to Specialist Tolliver in Advanced Individual Training for his leadership abilities.
He was always a superb student-athlete playing football and was team captain at Eastern Washington University.
AMONG HIS HONORS:
Multiple All-Big Sky Academic Team, All Big-Sky Team Selectee, recipient of his college’s Most Inspirational Football Player Award and many other outstanding awards
He also had the opportunity to try out for the Canadian Football Team and was found 100% physically fit. However, Specialist Tolliver decided to enter the teacher profession rather than play as a pro to help inner city kids fulfill their potential.
Specialist Tolliver sustains his “Olympic-Class” fitness by following an intense training regimen that insures he is always at peak physical performance.
As a college graduate, he sought a direct commission in December 2011. He was denied on the basis of medically disqualification —healthy enough to serve in the enlisted ranks…but not as an officer.
He can’t understand why he’s been rejected. He notes that the Army has made tremendous strides putting wounded warriors back into Army boots. For example, Colonel Gadson who as a double amputee assumed command at U.S. Army Fort Belvoir; Officer Staff Sgt. Johnathan Holsey who became the first amputee accepted by the Warrant School in Fort Rucker, Ala and Lt. Richard Ingram who received his commission through ROTC after losing his army to amputation.
”Here are numerous soldiers returned to serve with amputated legs and arms. Some of them were even prior enlisted and won a commission,” comments Tolliver’s civilian attorney, former judge Joseph W. Kastl. “So why won’t they commission Tolliver? He’s a superb enlisted troop who literally got dirt under his fingernails doing the heavy lifting.”
Since enlisting, he has never been found non-deployable or placed on profile. The herniated disk was never a problem. Tolliver is an “iron man,” a stellar soldier scoring extremely high on every PT test. He works in the 92F (Petroleum Supply Specialist) career field where the physical demand rating is “very high” due to the lifting of heavy pipes and machinery.
What is impressive about this citizen-soldier are the credentials and awards he has received throughout his life and USAR career. Here are a few of his accomplishments in the Army:
1. 95% of his Army Physical Fitness Test are above the standard scoring 290’s and above.
2. Received the Army Commendation Medal for being the Soldier of the Cycle in Basic Training
3. Runner-Up in the Sustainer Challenge which is a competition that is devoted to warrior task (rucking, shooting, land navigation, etc) which test the soldier’s endurance. It is very similar to the Army’s Best Warrior Competition.
4. Recipient of several Army Certificates of Achievement for leadership and upholding the Army’s Seven Values.
5. Class President and Lead Motivator Award was awarded to Specialist Tolliver in Advanced Individual Training for his leadership abilities.
He was always a superb student-athlete playing football and was team captain at Eastern Washington University.
AMONG HIS HONORS:
Multiple All-Big Sky Academic Team, All Big-Sky Team Selectee, recipient of his college’s Most Inspirational Football Player Award and many other outstanding awards
He also had the opportunity to try out for the Canadian Football Team and was found 100% physically fit. However, Specialist Tolliver decided to enter the teacher profession rather than play as a pro to help inner city kids fulfill their potential.
Specialist Tolliver sustains his “Olympic-Class” fitness by following an intense training regimen that insures he is always at peak physical performance.
As a college graduate, he sought a direct commission in December 2011. He was denied on the basis of medically disqualification —healthy enough to serve in the enlisted ranks…but not as an officer.
He can’t understand why he’s been rejected. He notes that the Army has made tremendous strides putting wounded warriors back into Army boots. For example, Colonel Gadson who as a double amputee assumed command at U.S. Army Fort Belvoir; Officer Staff Sgt. Johnathan Holsey who became the first amputee accepted by the Warrant School in Fort Rucker, Ala and Lt. Richard Ingram who received his commission through ROTC after losing his army to amputation.
”Here are numerous soldiers returned to serve with amputated legs and arms. Some of them were even prior enlisted and won a commission,” comments Tolliver’s civilian attorney, former judge Joseph W. Kastl. “So why won’t they commission Tolliver? He’s a superb enlisted troop who literally got dirt under his fingernails doing the heavy lifting.”
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Posted >1 y ago
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Well for starters, typically people look down on individuals who speak of themselves in third person, SSgt Highfill knows this (J.k. brother).
In all seriousness, just like the enlisted ranks, the officer ranks are being slimmed down drastically. Boards are now looking for pristine packages coming through in order to ensure what they get coming in can last as long as they need them. While those accomplishments do look good on a civilian side, I see very few leadership qualities or administrative accolades. Yes you won awards for leadership, but HOW did you win them? How many soldiers have you led? What are some innovations you provided? While you're not being disqualified for your accolades, they're not punching out of the paper to make them pay less attention to your medical information. Additionally, what degree do you have? 14 years is a long time to get a lot of schooling done.
As for the medical portion, you can keep pushing it. They have to keep giving you comments on why you were denied, if it's a fixable item, and you are extremely motivated to become an officer, get it fixed and keep pushing. If it's not fixable...still keep trying, but keep adding more and more to your list of items that will make the board just smack themselves in the head for not accepting you earlier.
Look for programs to be in charge of, quantify everything you do (so much money, so many man hours saved, etc.) and push those around you to do the same; why you might ask? Because you can tell a lot about a leader, by how they motivate their troops to accomplish, and if they are able to motivate their troops to excel PAST them.
Good luck, just don't give up as long as you have the motivation to keep going. The officer corps is shrinking, give them something that would make them stupid not to give you a shot.
In all seriousness, just like the enlisted ranks, the officer ranks are being slimmed down drastically. Boards are now looking for pristine packages coming through in order to ensure what they get coming in can last as long as they need them. While those accomplishments do look good on a civilian side, I see very few leadership qualities or administrative accolades. Yes you won awards for leadership, but HOW did you win them? How many soldiers have you led? What are some innovations you provided? While you're not being disqualified for your accolades, they're not punching out of the paper to make them pay less attention to your medical information. Additionally, what degree do you have? 14 years is a long time to get a lot of schooling done.
As for the medical portion, you can keep pushing it. They have to keep giving you comments on why you were denied, if it's a fixable item, and you are extremely motivated to become an officer, get it fixed and keep pushing. If it's not fixable...still keep trying, but keep adding more and more to your list of items that will make the board just smack themselves in the head for not accepting you earlier.
Look for programs to be in charge of, quantify everything you do (so much money, so many man hours saved, etc.) and push those around you to do the same; why you might ask? Because you can tell a lot about a leader, by how they motivate their troops to accomplish, and if they are able to motivate their troops to excel PAST them.
Good luck, just don't give up as long as you have the motivation to keep going. The officer corps is shrinking, give them something that would make them stupid not to give you a shot.
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2LT (Join to see)
SSG Hill,
Thanks for the response. I know it is rather strange for someone to speak in the 3rd person, but my lawyer wrote this. To answer some of your question:
Yes you won awards for leadership, but HOW did you win them? I won awards leading by example. My peers and leadership saw that I am professional in uniform and out of uniform.
How many soldiers have you led? Basic Training--Company Student 1SG; at my unit I am Squad Leader. I have also been assigned to teach classes to the unit ranging from substance abuse to physical training. At annual training, I was responsible for my platoon by creating the plan, supervising, assisting, and completing the mission.
What are some innovations you provided? Though this may be common sense to many; I incorporated everyone's opinion and made them feel apart of the plan. This made my team work harder because they all had "skin in the game."
What degree do you have? I have three undergraduate degrees--Human Resource Management, General Management, and history. Two Master's Degree--Kinesiology and Biomechanics. Specialist Degree in Education Leadership and Administration.
I also coach football, wrestling, and track.
You can tell a lot about a leader, by how they motivate their troops to accomplish, and if they are able to motivate their troops to excel PAST them.
I have always been great at motivating people. As a former football player,the techniques I used as a leader are the same as I use now in the Army. Get to know your teammates, understand them, and learn what their motivation is. From there it is like clay. Mold them into what you need to make the mission work and always remain fair, firm and consistent.
SSG Hill, once again thanks for the reply.
Thanks for the response. I know it is rather strange for someone to speak in the 3rd person, but my lawyer wrote this. To answer some of your question:
Yes you won awards for leadership, but HOW did you win them? I won awards leading by example. My peers and leadership saw that I am professional in uniform and out of uniform.
How many soldiers have you led? Basic Training--Company Student 1SG; at my unit I am Squad Leader. I have also been assigned to teach classes to the unit ranging from substance abuse to physical training. At annual training, I was responsible for my platoon by creating the plan, supervising, assisting, and completing the mission.
What are some innovations you provided? Though this may be common sense to many; I incorporated everyone's opinion and made them feel apart of the plan. This made my team work harder because they all had "skin in the game."
What degree do you have? I have three undergraduate degrees--Human Resource Management, General Management, and history. Two Master's Degree--Kinesiology and Biomechanics. Specialist Degree in Education Leadership and Administration.
I also coach football, wrestling, and track.
You can tell a lot about a leader, by how they motivate their troops to accomplish, and if they are able to motivate their troops to excel PAST them.
I have always been great at motivating people. As a former football player,the techniques I used as a leader are the same as I use now in the Army. Get to know your teammates, understand them, and learn what their motivation is. From there it is like clay. Mold them into what you need to make the mission work and always remain fair, firm and consistent.
SSG Hill, once again thanks for the reply.
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2LT (Join to see)
SSG Hill,
I have been fighting and continue to do so. I was told by higher up's that leadership would not change their minds because it makes them all look weak. I have even been told that if I keep fighting I will eventually be "black-balled."
I have been fighting and continue to do so. I was told by higher up's that leadership would not change their minds because it makes them all look weak. I have even been told that if I keep fighting I will eventually be "black-balled."
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2LT (Join to see)
SSG Livingston,
Unfortunately, I am beginning to see that. Since this situation has happened to me, I had a leader tell me that "all I am is cannon fodder." Do not expect for your situation to change.
Unfortunately, I am beginning to see that. Since this situation has happened to me, I had a leader tell me that "all I am is cannon fodder." Do not expect for your situation to change.
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Hello everyone,
Sorry about the 3rd person. My lawyer wrote this up and I wanted to share this with other professionals in the Army.
v/r
Sorry about the 3rd person. My lawyer wrote this up and I wanted to share this with other professionals in the Army.
v/r
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