Keeping wounded in CF - merged super-thread

[Haggis]

I'm not sure that he can legally do this, although I certainly hope that he can!

Does that include offering reinstatements for those who have already been compulsorily released for breaching the Universality of Service requirement and who want to come back?

 

[krustyrl]

Haggis, that's a million dollar question.  I wondered that also.! 

 

[simysmom99]

On a very practical note, Elrick is one above and one below the knee amputee.  I can't image using a C-Leg (that is digital and costs tens of thousands of dollars) in the sand.  Not only would the sand jam it up, you have to recharge it every night.  The difference in mobility on whether or not you have a knee is very wide.  Mcpl Mitic has 2 knees and mechanical legs, very different from having only one knee, or no knees at all. 
Elrick served his country and we are proud of that service.  I can't help but wonder if it's time to explore new possibilities.  All the best to him and his family, no matter the outcome.

 

[dave.jones3]

Seems like, as mentioned earlier, it will be an interesting and drawn out case. I will be interested to see the final verdict, and the reasons for the ruling.

I think that it is important, perhaps now more than ever, that the CF adapt to a new generation of veterans. Young men and women who paid a heavy price in service of their country. If these heroes still endeavor to serve, and have the means to be of service in some capacity, why do anything to prevent them? A desk job as an intelligence officer hardly warrants the same level of physical capability as someone in a more physical role. While I understand the current concepts of universality, I am questioning the validity of some of its applications.

Granted, this can be a slippery slope. Recently, I read about a US Ranger who re-qualified after losing a leg 10 inches below the knee, and was back on tour. Somewhat off topic, but inspirational. 

 

[aesop081]

A desk job as an intelligence officer hardly warrants the same level of physical capability as someone in a more physical role.

A desk is not the only place an intelligence officer can find him/herself employed. The same can be said for most trades. So when all the "desk" Int officer  (or whatever trade) jobs are filled with injured personel, where do you put the deployable ones when they need a break ? Do you just tell them "suck it and go on tour #6" ? Tell them to get out ?

 

[Infanteer]

I've taken Int Os out on tour in Panjwayi district.  It can be far from a desk job.

 

[Wookilar]

My admin brain tells me that there are a number of ways that a pers could intiate the release process themselves.

Not that I am paranoid or anything  ^-^ (wellll, maybe a little, but I'm working on it) but just having a medical exam, because you want to get fixed as much as possible, can start the ball rolling.

Wook

 

[Spooks]

This is a tricky topic for me as I have recently been there. Being injured in Jan 06, I was 'taking too long' to recover. They gave me the ultimatum of 'get better or it's time to think of getting out'. This prompted me to ramp up my occupational therapy process and essentially get better faster b/c I did not want to be released due to breaching UoS.

I will note here that I was aiming to get back to the Infantry, back to my home, and not OT. However, IntOp was my first choice as a backup plan due to already receiving my TIOC-L (CbtInt) course post-injury. I believe being an 'injured vet' is an optimal choice to go Int due to you already having an appreciation of 'how it is outside the wire' and the small nice-ities that are good-to-know when you are making a briefing.

I believe that as an IntX (IntOp or IntO), as my personal opinion, your duties are intellectually based verse physically based. I see no problems to letting him stay just as I had no problems thinking -I- should stay, but UoS is the way it is. Until it is changed, members of the CF can gripe about it all we want but we ultimately have to fall in line.  :-\

 

[vonGarvin]

I believe being an 'injured vet' is an optimal choice to go Int due to you already having an appreciation of 'how it is outside the wire'

[tangent]
Being "outside the wire" only lets you know how it is "outside the wire" in your tiny, myopic part of the battlespace.  As int ops, I want them to be able to speak in broader terms, though I will agree that they need some sort of "feel" how things are "out there", but that applies only to the area of operations in question.  (EG: If you have "outside the wire" experience in Shah-Wali Kot, but I want info on Maiwand, well, your "OTW" Experience isn't relevant)

[/tangent]

 

[Spooks]

[tangent]
Being "outside the wire" only lets you know how it is "outside the wire" in your tiny, myopic part of the battlespace.  As int ops, I want them to be able to speak in broader terms, though I will agree that they need some sort of "feel" how things are "out there", but that applies only to the area of operations in question.  (EG: If you have "outside the wire" experience in Shah-Wali Kot, but I want info on Maiwand, well, your "OTW" Experience isn't relevant)

[/tangent]

[tangental rebuttle]
I do not imply that being outside the wire in SWK or any district gives you an edge in that regard. I mean that being outside the wire allows you to appreciate things like choke points due to contour changes and....ugh, n/m. Lost my train of thought.
Essentially, your know how things work in practice versus all theory.
[/tangental rebuttle]

 

[aesop081]

your duties are intellectually based verse physically based.

This is only true to a small extent. Even as an Int Op, your duties include personal and collective defence, assisting with casualty evacuation, etc..... Your duties include being able to deployed outside of an office, working at a desk.

 

[Spooks]

...

My apologies to all

I shall think a little more about what I am posting before I post it.

 

[SevenSixTwo]

Why are you guys arguing this anyways if the CDS reversed the UoS on Afghan Vets?

 

[aesop081]

the CDS reversed the UoS on Afghan Vets?

You have never talked about a decision from higher that you did not agree with ?
:

 

[SevenSixTwo]

You have never talked about a decision from higher that you did not agree with ?
:

Not that it's a soldiers given right to complain about decisions etc but to me arguing decisions of higher ups is like arguing we need to get rid of the Leopard 2's for the Mobile Gun System.

Waste of time since the decision has already been made. Rather we should be focusing on ways to reintegrate our wounded better like the U.S. within the military.



As for Int Ops my only comment is that you don't just fly a desk as a Int Op you do much much more than that.

 

[OldSolduer]

...

My apologies to all

I shall think a little more about what I am posting before I post it.

Hey, no problems here. I don't think you need to apologize. We've all done this sort of thing ourselves. Besides, your hat badge is cool. PPCLI hat badge I mean.

 

[Journeyman]

......but to me arguing decisions of higher ups is like arguing we need to get rid of the Leopard 2's for the Mobile Gun System.

Fortunately, the Site owner has provided an option for those not wishing to enter into such discussions -- it's called "taking your finger off of the <post> key." 

 

[mariomike]

I was interested in reading more about this and found another 7 pages dating back to 2007-2008, if interested.
Topic: "Wounded CF troops get opportunity to stay in uniform":
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/66949.0.html

 

[jasonf6]

Furthermore, I have directed that no service person who has been wounded in Afghanistan be released, unless they have personally initiated the release process themselves.

My question regarding this would be what about those injured training FOR Afghanistan?  I was injured back in 2002 and by 2005 was released 3B.  I feel my back/knee have improved and remained stable enough for me to try to get back in.  It would be nice not to have to jump through hoops and see numerous specialists just to prove that I am able to meet the UofS.

Oh, also I'm a long-time reader, first-timer poster.

 

[PuckChaser]

My question regarding this would be what about those injured training FOR Afghanistan?  I was injured back in 2002 and by 2005 was released 3B.  I feel my back/knee have improved and remained stable enough for me to try to get back in.  It would be nice not to have to jump through hoops and see numerous specialists just to prove that I am able to meet the UofS.

Oh, also I'm a long-time reader, first-timer poster.

Only the CFRC would be able to tell you for sure, but you'll definitely have to have the proof that you're good to go completely again.