Med Board for everything?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 07:52:10 -0400

As of late it seems PA's are really pushing the Med Boards for anything and everything. I've talked to numerous Soldiers, NCO's, and Officers that have had PA's attempt to push them into a Med Board. Does anyone have any insight into this, because it seems as if this may be PA's taking it upon themselves or possibly a directive from higher to use as a force reduction tool.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2014 7:58 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 07:58:41 -0400

It is regulatory guidance that if, and when a SM receives a permanent profile, they will be evaluated to make sure they are fit for their job. While it seems harsh, I feel that most of the time the SMs are left to carry out their duty. If they didn't do this, we (the Army) would be in danger of injuring Soldiers further, by making them perform duties that their limitations don't allow.

Here is a good source of info http://www.wtc.army.mil/modules/soldier/s6-ides.html

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 22 at 2014 8:00 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 08:00:07 -0400

They got me at 18.5 years and saved themselves a good chunk of change. All I get is veterans disabiities since it is more than military pension and you can't "double dip"

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2014 10:52 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 10:52:57 -0400

SFC Atchison, while there is no directive from DA mandating MEB's, what is being mandated is a high personnel readiness rate. Everyone on profile detracts from your readiness rate, which must remain above 90%. So, what we (the Command) are seeing, are personnel who ride on a profie from 180-300 days. In and out of things that aren't helping them, missing appointments, etc, etc. Anytime someone has a prognosis that isn't "going to get better in X days with minimal possibility of long term profile," you are going to see a push to MEB. When you first joined, the MEB didn't exist and you went through a much more streamlined system...and the only focus of that system was to evaluate you and change your MOS or get you out. It was all about readiness. We haven't returned to that yet, but if we keep drawing down, the Army is going to have to modify some of its programs to fit the new paradigm. These systems worked in a large COIN focused army with ARFORGEN to assist in the filling of deploying units. Hell, to compensate for all the profiles and other non-availables, a unit would be 120% assigned prior to going to war, just to have 90% deployable. We can't sustain that anymore.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 11:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 23:21:34 -0400

Yeah, I have been through it. They will go so far as to use coercion. The problem is higher command gives them this level of authority. They are physicians ASSISTANTS, they are not actual doctors. They do not have the training, expertise, or experience to make any long term determination as to an individual's health. But that's how the military medical field is, and why I avoid military medical. The level of training, experience, and personal liability, required to practice medicine in the military is far below that of their civilian counterparts. Frankly, any medical officer that isn't a M.D. or D.O. and have passed the med board of the state/ country where they are stationed should not be promoted beyond CPT.

Response by SP5 Mark Atchison made Jul 19 at 2020 7:38 AM

SP5 Mark Atchison — Sun, 19 Jul 2020 07:38:24 -0400

I like your last name.