Injured Vet pushing for overhaul on VAC

[Jarnhamar]

I would suspect that there's no link between his testimony and the release notice.  He said that he "received it in the mail," which would require NDHQ to make a decision and Canada Post to get the letter to him within a week -- an obvious impossibility in the realm of governmental bureaucratic physics.

I was thinking the very same thing about the mail actually.  One week? No way.


The story seems to insinuate he's being released because he gave his testimony.

 

[Journeyman]

Is it normal to receive your release message through the mail? Would your CoC not be the ones informing you of the release message?

:dunno:    I've never received a medical release message.

The story seems to insinuate he's being released because he gave his testimony.

Of course, implied scandal and government-bashing is always more newsworthy than boring old facts.

 

[ArmyGuy99]

Hitting the 10yr mark would have been great.  I would have made it to 9.  However, "retention" doesn't seem to be a  word being thrown around now days.  Especially since recruiting went 5k over their target.  oops.

Or, like my trade, someone changed the TO&E.  Medics went from Red to Green overnight, and it was announced that they had reached all the recruiting targets and had matched attrition.  huh?  All us medics on the ground were a little confused.  Someone in Ottawa has been playing the number shuffle game.

Word was when I was releasing last year, that retention was a dream word unless you were "Operationally Necessary".  My CM shop was like uh, sorry no.  So, I had to get out with 6.5.  bye bye pension.

Now I wait for the $80k in checks that the Pension Plan owes me in Transfer Value so I can a) buy a house with my portion. and b) Squirrel away the other half so I can actually have a pension in 30 years.

I had 10 days to get it to them after signing the papers, that was a month ago. Where's my $$ oh and answer the damn phone and return your e-mails. (sorry for the hijack)

 

[Occam]

Now I wait for the $80k in checks that the Pension Plan owes me in Transfer Value so I can a) buy a house with my portion. and b) Squirrel away the other half so I can actually have a pension in 30 years.

I keep seeing this...have you verified with the pension people and/or CRA to determine if you can use the transfer value to borrow against for purposes of the Home Buyer's Plan?  Based on what I'm seeing from numerous sources, I don't think you're allowed to do that.  The transfer value deposited to your RRSP is locked-in.

 

[Teager]

I do wonder if Cpl Kirkland was posted to an IPSC/JPSU? If he's not my next question would be why not? If he's not posted to a IPSC/JPSU that could explain a lot of the poor treatment and tough access to medical things. Not trying to put his unit down but IPSC/JPSU usually goes that extra mile for its members and any problems you have are normally sorted in a timely fashion. They just have an overall ability to help injured members out way more than a unit. Although maybe he fell through the cracks.

 

[bick]

Glen is posted to the IPSC in Shilo.  He has been for yrs.  He currently works as a realtor in Brandon and has been warned many times about the spirit of the RTW/Transition rules. 

 

[gcclarke]

I think it's somewhat important to highlight the specific wording of the QR&O in question

15.05 – RETENTION OF OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED MEMBERS ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE ON MEDICAL GROUNDS

An officer or non-commissioned member of the Regular Force who is suffering from a disease or injury that necessitates his release as medically unfit may, at the discretion of the Chief of the Defence Staff or the officer commanding the command, be retained for prolonged treatment, institutional care or medical observation for a further period of not more than six months, at the end of which time he shall be released unless otherwise directed by the Minister.

 

[DAA]

"Retention" was a means to keep people who could be gainfully employed within their occupation as a result of increased "attrition" that the recruiting system was not able to keep pace with.  So some occupations became seriously under-strength, hence, the offers of "3 year" periods of retention, followed by release sort of became the norm.  That is not the case today.......

The can of worms here and the question is a matter of "fairness".  So if we have someone injured in "theatre" and they are retained as a result, why would we not retain someone who was injured "out of threatre" who can still perform to the same level?

What is offered to one, shoud be offered to the other, regardless of circumstance.

I don't think what we are seeing is so much as a "lack of support" from the immediate CoC but more a "lack of knowledge and experience" to properly deal with these kind of issues.  Hence, the creation of IPSC/JPSU entities within the CF.

Which may or may not have led to some shall we say "peeing matches" between units and IPSC/JPSU units.  Think about it?  If one of your soldiers were ill or injured and you were active and truly wanted to help that person, then suddenly they are "posted" out of your unit.........I'd be upset!  And if I were the member, I would be more inclined to "want" to deal with people I know!

IPSC/JPSU are current, up to date and knowledgeable and there for a reason.......

 

[OldSolduer]

If a soldier is on a TCat for more than a year, he is taking up a PY that a healthy soldier could have.


The JPSU is in essence a unit that can either assist the member in regaining their health, or if that is not possible, transition to civilian life as smoothly as possible.

 

[bigcletus]

This may have recently been posted but I just read it on the news...

Now this is interesting:

"“I’m very glad that he (MacKay) has publicly stated that all soldiers who have been wounded can stay in as long as they want,” Kirkland said. “It’s not just me now; he publicly stated that all wounded soldiers can stay.”

"MacKay responded that all injured Canadian Forces members are not to be released from the military until they are prepared to do so. “There is a program specifically designed to help with that transition,” he said. “That will be the case for Cpl. Kirkland. That will be the case for injured members of the Canadian Forces on my watch.”


http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Wound ... story.html

 

[Teager]

"MacKay responded that all injured Canadian Forces members are not to be released from the military until they are prepared to do so. “There is a program specifically designed to help with that transition,” he said. “That will be the case for Cpl. Kirkland. That will be the case for injured members of the Canadian Forces on my watch."

So technically you can stay until the transition has taken place. You CANNOT stay as long as you like. Theres a big difference there.

 

[dapaterson]

Hopefully some day he'll be able to transition into another full-time career - maybe something like real estate.

"... my military career was cut short. The transition allowed me to re-focus my passion on Real Estate.  Now, as a full-time realtor..."

http://www.glenkirklandrealestate.ca/


So, he's being paid a full-time military salary while he works full-time as a real estate agent.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

Although you aren't apparently allowed to have a second job in the JPSU what's the issue really?  There are tons of people who have a second job. And yes the unit knows. He has an office in the Canex mall, as well as ads in the Shilo stag.

 

[McG]

I suspect the media and opposition might become somewhat less supportive if they learn that he has full-time civilian employment in addition to military pay without coming into the base.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

That is very possible. I see him as a success story. Not one of the guys stuck in his room drinking beer and playing Xbox.  As I said the base knows what he's doing and there are thousands of other troops collecting a military pay cheque as well as civie work. Granted those aren't highlighted.

 

[The Bread Guy]

I would suspect that there's no link between his testimony and the release notice.  He said that he "received it in the mail," which would require NDHQ to make a decision and Canada Post to get the letter to him within a week -- an obvious impossibility in the realm of governmental bureaucratic physics.

On the other hand, sometimes, things can happen quite quickly - highlights mine ....

The Canadian Forces has reversed its decision to discharge a Canadian soldier who testified about his struggle for health benefits and his long recovery from injuries suffered in the Afghanistan war.

Vancouver-native Cpl. Glen Kirkland, who almost died while serving in Afghanistan five years ago when he was attacked by the Taliban, was informed by the military he could stay in the army until he qualifies for a 10-year indexed pension.

According to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces, if a CF member is released from duty because of a disability, they are entitled to an unreduced pension if they have accumulated 10 year of pensionable service.

The military's decision comes a day after Kirkland was notified he was going to be discharged in six months -- despite assurances from Defence Minister Peter MacKay in the House of Commons that he would not suffer “ramifications” for speaking out.

( .... )

Tuesday’s decision comes after Mackay called Vice-Chief of Defence Staff Bruce Donaldson late Monday night and ordered him to reverse the military's decision to discharge Kirkland.

The outcome of that call was revealed on Tuesday when NDP MP Peter Stoffer asked MacKay in the House of Commons if he was going to follow through on his promise that Kirkland would not suffer any ramifications for testifying about his experience as an injured veteran ....

CTV.ca, 11 Jun 13

This from Question Period yesterday - highlights mine:

Hon. John McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, on Friday, Corporal Kirkland was given his discharge papers, and in rejecting the terms made to him by the Canadian Forces, he wrote: 

    As of 15 Sept. 2015 I would be able to collect a Partial index Pension, this pension would help me in my quality of Life and is essential to my successful release. The [Minister] has stated in Parliament on 6 June 2013 that I may stay in the forces as long as I need. I believe this option should be available to ALL wounded soldiers.

    Does the minister agree?

Hon. Peter MacKay (Minister of National Defence, CPC):  Mr. Speaker, as is the case with all injured members, Corporal Kirkland, in fact, will be able to fully prepare mentally, physically and occupationally for his eventual release. That is his option. That is the case with all Canadian Forces members injured in combat.  With respect to Corporal Kirkland, I can inform the member that, in fact, Colonel Blais, of Canadian military forces personnel, spoke with him and confirmed that this direction applies to him and that this option for release will be his and his alone.

Hon. John McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood, Lib.):  Mr. Speaker, I am actually pleased to hear the minister's response. I do hope that his response is assurance that Corporal Kirkland will receive his pension, that he will receive his medications, that this option will be available to all the wounded soldiers, because that is a policy decision, and that further, the chain of command is onside.  I am pleased with the minister's answer, and I am hoping that when he responds, he will recognize that, in fact, Corporal Kirkland is watching his response.

Hon. Peter MacKay (Minister of National Defence, CPC):  I am pleased that he is pleased, Mr. Speaker.

 

[392]

  As I said the base knows what he's doing and there are thousands of other troops collecting a military pay cheque as well as civie work. Granted those aren't highlighted.

I don't for one second pretend to be an admin expert on the ins and outs of having a second job as a RegF member, but I am sure there is a pretty big difference between moonlighting to earn extra money evenings and weekends and working full time at a civy job without being on leave from the CF.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

That maybe the case. That said we have guys killing themselves and rotting away. This guy has made lemonade out of lemons. And like I said the base is FULLY aware of his activities.

 

[dapaterson]

His transition to a civilian career is a success - no argument there.  But if he has transitioned, why is he being kept in the CF?

Ultimately the CF/VAC interface needs to be cleaned up, with VAC taking a much larger role.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

That is a great question which I don't think anyone here can answer. The system needs to be fixed. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason who gets released, why, and when.