2/20/2007
Medical Hold & Walter Reed
American Soldier says,
It saddens me to think of the on going issue of soldiers being treated like shit while recovering back in the US. I have been reading about JR Salzman and his stay at Walter Reed. I am stunned and somewhat embarrassed to know that the Army isn’t taking care of these guys. Cut to through the political and red tape bullshit and tell me why the hotel that houses soldiers got to the point of mold all over a wall. Tell me why the fucking elevator is broke? Who is looking after these guys? I know if I was the NCOIC of that building, I’d be having other soldiers from other units going there once a week and policing that shit up! So as a result of all of this my fellow wounded brothers are subjected to long over due work orders and the kind of bullshit the Army can make exist with lazy people in certain positions. I think the commander of the Medical Holder Company needs to get this head out of his ass to be quite honest. This deferring it to others is not an excuse. Why doesn’t he perform weekly inspections of these areas, hold sensing sessions? Fuck the tact shit; this is bullshit and his responsibility. I saw this video and again I am sickened by it. The Army says they increased the number of staff, Platoon Sergeants, etc. But why did it have to come to this? Why should it?
I can relate to this subject quite well. I was in a medical hold over unit when I got back to the states. I had a lazy ass case manager that was locked behind closed doors. You were literally turned away if you hadn’t made an appointment 24 hours prior. They stacked lower enlisted 4 to a room and NCO’s two to a room in most situations. I couldn’t walk straight or stand up for more than a few minutes but yet I was put on the 3rd floor with no elevator. I won’t go too deep with my problems or experience because there is bigger fish to fry. No one looked after the ones who were going through a lot of shit with PTSD. In fact, you miss appointments you got your pass privileges taken away or worse. No one was going out of their way to help anyone. The staff sucked because they didn’t really want to be in that job. Some of them were Drills just off the trail and some even had that same mentality. These fucking legs who hadn’t been over to the war yet talking down on soldiers cause he was limping into a formation he was late to because his hearing was shot due to being blown the fuck up and all his buddy’s either said fuck it or left early for other appointments. To many times I witnessed things like this.
The Med Hold system is fucked, fucked, fucked and fucked! Know where they have it good….Landsthul, Germany! Now that place has a handle on things!
I don’t know what I can do to raise awareness with this subject but my fellow Milbloggers need to help with this. This is bullshit and I’m tired of seeing this time after time. We go and fight the good fight and some of us come back injured and all fucked up and we get treated like assholes. I grew up on welfare and I tell you what, standing in line for that weekly block of cheese was a better experience than Med Hold status!
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36 Responses to “Medical Hold & Walter Reed”
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Yeah, how come you guys didn’t know anything about this? Why was there all this posturing on the right about supporting the troops when in fact none of them bothered to actually support anything except their own emotional dysfunctionalism?
This is an outrage and one more reason to lock up Rumsfeld, Cheney and GW Bush for criminal neglect, etc.
Where’s all the money gone? Ever wonder?
bloodstomper. We DID know about it. Why the hell do you think we work our butts off in the military support non-profits and help wounded families network with people who have beat the system? Answer: because the official channels sre a disaster and beyond our ability to quickly change things… so we turned to the private sector to do “first aid” on the problems.
ditto to what FbL said.
Walter Reed, Bureaucracy and Military Medical Care…
This is practically old news by blog standards, but I didn’t have time to sit down and write anything intelligent about it until now….
Did it occur to anyone to ask why a bunch of us ex-military guys donate to soldier’s angels, the wounded warrior project, and anysoldier.com? The private sector efforts are virtually always leaner, more efficient, and do a better job of caring for the soldiers than any bloated bureaucracy.
We’ve been there, and remember how tough it was to move the administrators to get things accomplished, particularly when it involved some admin type having to lean forward a bit to support the mission.
This isn’t surprising to me… and I doubt it’s a big surprise to anybody who’s been active duty.
This is surely something I did NOT WANT to be writing about! I’ve spent some time in a “Med Hold Unit”, not funny and NO DAMN EXCUSES. To “FbL”, this is not a responsibility of the non-profit groups, this is the responsibility of our CONGRESS, ADMINISTRATION and the people of the United States. This is the Constitutional tax based responsibility of our Gov’t. This is precisely what, “Support the troops!” actually means. Many of these people have issues they can not even begin to describe. PLEASE, as you write, please understand your role in sacrifice for these warriors. YES, THEY ARE STILL THE GREATEST WARRIORS IN THE WORLD, BUT NOW THEY FIGHT IN A DIFFERENT BATTLESPACE. “FbL”, I know you have tried your best, for these warriors, it is whole different class of warfare. I do want to THANK YOU for what you have done. Respectfully, Grumpy
ok GUYS, this may just be the time for you all to join the VFW, American Legion, and any other service connected org.’s,,,,,,,,They all have different lobbiest in D C ………and the rest of us should be bombarding our congress men and Rep’s with letters of discust. If Polosie and Murtha can waste time with a stupid ‘’go nowhere'’ resolution, perhaps they could start an investigation into why the Med system ‘’is broken'’ and who broke it ………..and who spent the bucks. bye, gotta send my E’s to DC now…
I hate to read about such things. AS, you bring up a valid and important part of a story that is not well known. Of course, you get the traditional, knee jerk reaction from the liberals (i.e. the first post), but this is a very important issue that needs to be brought up.
Our warriors need the best, not only when they are on the field, but when they return. They need it, the deserve it, they have earned it.
When a number of people are made aware of the problem, and start applying political pressure, changes can be made. It is time for that to be done. It should not happen, and it is a blot on all of us who allow and tolerate such behaviour towards our military.
Please don’t ask for an investigation. That would just entail more YEARS and MILLIONS of dollars. Fix it! Get a contractor in to fix the physical problems. Fire the lazy a$$ case workers and get new ones. Allow those who are wounded but mobile to take over cases and work with their fellow military personnel to cut through the BS. Allow volunteers (and we ARE out here) to come in and assist with working down the case loads, escorting the wounded warriors to appointments, etc. I am a civilian who DOES 1000% support our troops. I have been to WR and to the Mologne House. I have TRIED to volunteer and I’m sick and tired of hearing I should go talk to the Red Cross to do so. I don’t live anywhere near DC and am willing to pay my way there once a month to do whatever needs to be done to help these men and women and their families. Believe me when I tell you there are hundreds if not thousands like me who would do the same.
NO STUDIES!!! These guys and gals need ACTION and they need it/deserve it YESTERDAY - not TOMORROW!
CAChick, I agree with you. No investigations nor Congressional Committees to look at this issue. There should be no need for it; there is a problem, and it needs to be fixed NOW!
What I do hate is to see our peoples in conditions like that. They deserve much better… the best we can offer.
What happened to the Republicans with the Support the Troops.
AS,
I saw a story this evening on Fox News about Walter Reed and Building 18 if that makes any sense. They were showing some of the before pics of mold and bad plumbing and they said it had rats but they also showed where they are repairing it and getting rid of the rats etc. They said that they are getting the attention of the president and that he wants something done about the situation.
Don’t know if this is the same building that you are talking about but I sure hope that it is because they are repairing it looked like.
I sure hope for the soldier’s sakes that they are doing something about the situation, our troops deserve much better than that!!
Yeah I am referring to BLDG 18.
Good, because that was the building they showed they are repairing!! Great news!! It was on Fox News, maybe they will show it again or will be on their website!!
I hope those assholes tear it down and build those guys a Building for the Intrepid. You know they won’t care so much because in 2011 they are moving all of the wounded to another facility. They are going to just make due with what they got. Nothing extraordinary will be done.
AS,
I didn’t know that they are going to be moving in 2011. Maybe the spotlight will stay on them until they do something good for our wounded, hopefully, now too. 2011 is a long way off!!
AS, This is one of those subjects which is so sensitive. I was the sixth person to comment on this post. I’ve spent time in a med hold. Many people are saying this is “the problem”, NO IT IS A SYMPTOM! CAChik and David, say, “no investigations”. This is not a “screwed up land deal” or “inappropriate behavior”, these were personal to the family, not to the nation. Yes, it showed poor character. We are in a time of “war”, yet we are closing bases down. There has been no actual Congressional, Constitutional “Declaration of War”. Why? The big thing is “just track the money, we do it with terrorists”, why not here? Halliburton is nothing, get your focus off of it and track the money. How would you feel if you saw leaders of this nation making exorbitant amounts of money off of this war? This could be present or past leaders of this nation.
American Soldier, you talk of “Building for the Intrepid”, that will replace Walter Reed to be completed in 2011. I just don’t think it will happen. It would make me a very happy person for you to prove me wrong. As I look history, how many times have we had tax cuts, BRAC and military action all at the same time. Hint - never. After 9/11 and the “9/11 Report” under the last Congress, when they went to question the results of this report, how many times did they answer,”It was not in our mandate.” This is something which really blew what little mind I have left. The CONUS was attacked by a foreign force. They examine the 8 years of Bill Clinton and the 8 months of George W. Bush. This is clearly wrong! Let the truth be your guide. Let it take you into the administration of George H.W. Bush, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, etc.. But find the truth! Just follow the money. We may not like the answers, but this is exactly what we all have promised in our Military Oath. Don’t get me wrong, this is the GREATEST GENERATION! Respectfully, Grumpy
Grumpy,
When I said they should build a Building for the Intrepid, if was a bit condescending. I don’t think such a thing will occur. It is know that Walter Reed is going to be planning to close by 2011. However, we both know how the Army works. That date will most likely get pushed.
It’s a tough subject none the less.
American Soldier,
Don’t get me wrong, I saw nothing wrong in your reply. In my humble opinion, your reply will in most cases be right on the mark. The problem is our nation’s policy/expectation will be on target for the 2011 date. Therefore, as always, our warriors pay the price for freedom. America’s leaders and the wealthy need to learn again the lesson- Freedom is not free! We need to grow a military for ourselves. I’m neither liberal nor conservative, I’m an American. An interesting quote from the past, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” -George Washington
Thank you, for having this website. You are so right, this is a tough subject. This is one of those things, which many of these young warrior will not have even begun their battles with these conditions for years from now. They will always be in the war, just on a different battlefield. I have service-connected traumatic brain injury. I am not writing out of theory, but from experience.
Grumpy
Walter Reed Army Hospital is filled with lice and bugs. Hooray for our chains.
Take a look at the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America website which rates congress members according to their support of veterans issues. Also, the President recently signed into law a bill that waives the prohibition on veterans to hire attorneys to assist them in obtaining their disability benefits at the VA adiminstrative level (the prohibition had existed since the Civil War!). The law becomes effective June, 2007.
I have been a patient myself at Walter Reed, it saddens me beyond belief in a way, hearing the conditions that exist for my fellow soldiers. However, having dealt with the red tape so many times myself since returning from Nam, I know the deal. I just don’t understand how we can be treated so bad after what we have given.
madflavor - ((((hugs))))
In case you didn’t hear it “then” — let me say, “WELCOME HOME” and a deeply heartfelt “THANK YOU.”
(((more hugs)))
I agree - it is utterly shameful that our Heroes have to go thru so much crap just to try to get the treatment they need and deserve.
Thanks for the hugs kAT IN GA, I really appreciate it.. will check out your blog in the coming days.. take care.
American Soldier: nice blog, will check in often, added you to my blog.. Peace
madflavor, you have my deepest gratitude for your service to our country. Words from a total stranger with nothing better to give by way of this roadway. Words are my only currency. I endeavor to make them worth more than just pixels crowding out white space. They are all I can pay you. But here in real life, I can deliver personally what I would like to deliver to you. A real hug. So know this much tonight dear Soldier: soon, another Soldier will receive your due from me. Again, I am grateful to you, forever.
Thanks alexa kim, words of gratitude from a total stranger means a lot. I have not heard it enough since returning from Nam. Knowing that people still care, still remember, means more to me than you may ever know. My war was so many years ago, but sometimes it seems like it was yesterday. It is I, that is grateful, for people like you..
The commander at Walter Reed has been fired…per story on CNN today.
Yeh, I heard that too about the general being fired at Walter Reed. Hope that makes a difference in what it done for the troops there.
Madflavor,
I just want to “thank you” too for what you did for our country during the Vietnam war. We can never thank you enough for your service to our country.
I don’t understand why people would dishonor our troops who returned from that war. It makes me just so mad and sick to know that you guys went through so much for America and then your fellow Americans couldn’t have the decency to “thank you” and to be grateful to you for what you did!
God Bless You and your fellow soldiers for your service to our country!! May the hurt be healed in your heart today!!
Madflavor,
I would like to also say “Thank You” I am not real good with words as the others but I know what is in my heart. And I remember those days. Thank You is not nearly enough but it is all I have to give.
On March 17th the Gathering of Eagles will defend the “Wall” in DC.
Those folks will be there not only to defend the honor but to say a long long overdue “Thank You”
God Bless You
Thank you Donna for those kind words. I think people have a tendency to dishonor other’s without knowing the real deal.. not fully understanding the pain and hardship.. yeah, makes me mad also. Again, thanks for the the kind words. Maybe one day I’ll find peace.. take care.
Thank you Benz, I find your words to be just fine, it brings me comfort just to know people still remember, and still give thanks. The years have not been real kind and I have wanted to journey to “The Wall” in DC for a long time. I saw “The Traveling Wall” in San Antonio some years ago but I don’t think it can compare to the original, wish I could be there on the 17th. Thank you and take care.
I was at Ft.Knox Medical hold from July 2003 - April 2004 and they put soldiers in Asbestos filled living quarters that were condemmed in the 80’s. I took pictures of the buildings inside and out. Showing the raw sewage that was flowing daily in the bathroom areas. I have a powerpoint presentation of the mess. I would like to send it to the the president so he can see first hand how we were treated.
Michael,
Send me a copy if you like. I’d be interested in seeing this.
Michael and AS, I would be extremely interested as well. Very. I am watching the Tuesday hearing off C-Span and still reading through all the statements filed with the hearings. I am more furious and outraged than can be adequately expressed here. I have vented my spleen and someone else’s too over at tcoverride.blogspot.com. I am not finished. Not by a long shot.
The soldier who died all alone, in his room, in Building 18, on New Year’s Day 2005, by drinking himself to death. He was totally alone. He had no one. Not a soul. And he had been abandoned by everyone. Not even a case worker interested themselves in him. He died utterly alone. After serving me and you. THAT MAKES ME CRAZY WITH HORROR AND ANGER! And DISGUST! And sorrow. Nightmare inducing despair.
That will NOT go unanswered. That will not go unanswered. That will not go unanswered.
In the name of all My Soldiers, all of you my exquisite protectors, in the name of anything that matters, that Soldier’s death will not go unanswered.
Does Building 18 support the troops? I thank God for the US Armed Forces.