Is there a time when it's appropriate for a wife to speak on behalf of her Army husband?

Question

Say, if his health is at stake?

We have a bad situation here with my husband's unit. They dragged their feet on TDY paperwork, which caused my husband's appointment at Walter Reed to be canceled (an appointment that took almost two months to get in the first place).
They also seem to think, despite several doctors saying otherwise, that he's "faking" his condition (epilepsy), based on a PA's "theories"...like that a person can fake a grand mal seizure.
When, if ever, would it be appropriate for me to step in and say something? And who should I speak to?

This has been going on for two years, by the way.

Yes, there is lots more, but that's the gist of it.
They've tried deploying him against doctor's orders.
They've tried violating the stipulations of his medical profile.
They've tried sending him out to the field against doctor's orders.
They punished him for having to be medivaced out of WLC after a seizure by taking his rank (knocked him down from CPL to SPC).
When he's been in the hospital, they tried saying he was just making excuses to get out of work. I'd like to see THEM try to spend a week in the krankenhaus.
Like I said, there's lots more.
And this is going up to the very highest in the unit: 1st sergeants, platoon sergeants, captains...I think I would have to go to battalion level to find someone.

Answer 1

I see two issues... the first is the current situation with them not acknowledging and responding appropriately to his medical condition, even in the face of the evidence you've shown them. Second is the loss of rank due to their bias.

As several posters have indicated, your husband needs to go to the IG for both of these issues. They should be able to help him.

In my experience with the military, it never helps to have a spouse (of either gender) deal with the chain of command or other on-base services (like the IG's office or medical services.) Your job is to provide support and encouragement for your husband, and to attend whatever of these meetings you're asked to attend. For instance... If they're going to review some of his medical records and you have a better grasp of that, then your husband should request permission to bring you along, so the IG is prepared and knows why you're there. If you tag along without them knowing why you're there, it will be seen as weakness on your husband's part, rather than a show of force from the two of you.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

Take advantage of the low cost (maybe free depends on the situation i think) lawyers that can be found like JAG's. If someone is not following protocoall and your husbands case is medically documented then there really is no chance in saying he is fakeing it. Dr's are experts in the medical field if his command is trying to say he is fakeing it but a Dr has diagnosed him with that condition then they are in the wrong. Do not be afraid to get legal help in such matters it can make a HUGE differance in how everything turns out in the end and what type of discharge (if any) and benefits he will recieve at the end of this.

Answer 3

Simple answer is that if you feel that he is being mistreated and that he could be harmed then by all means go to the post Inspector General. That office will hear your complaint and if there is any real misleading stuff going on they will put an end to it. Also it is totally confidential. I can imagine if your husband is like me he may have reservations about you stepping in and saying anything but this office is set up for people to blow whistles when the majority either do not see or choose to ignore a problem. Call the post operator and ask for the IG office.

Answer 4

First of all, there are many details left out. Will try to give you guidance. If your spouse agrees with you that there has been an injustice, he can always bring it up with the chain of command or the Inspector General's office. You ALWAYS have a voice, but unfortunately, how well it will be heard is not as great. Get involved with some of the wive's clubs the installation has to offer locally and seek guidance and support from those more senior and whom may have experienced similar situations. Wishing you and your husband the best in resolving this.

Answer 5

Ok... I am a disabled veteran myself and I was a military wife too... 1st off, HE needs to do this, not you. You can go to medical appointments with him for support but as far as going up his direct chain, you are barking up the wrong tree. 1. If anyone goes up the chain, it has to be him. 2. you dont follow his direct chain, you would go up the medical chain of command.

What you need to do, is go to the med clinic on base or the hospital or whatever, where ever his doc is (I know its military cause you said P.A.'s LOL!) anyways, when he calls to set up an apt. he needs to request to see a DOCTOR, NOT Phyisican Assistant. If they wont let a doctor, he needs to go up the MEDICAL's chain. If I were him, I would go straight to the medical groups 1st shirt... if that doesnt work, then go to the med clinic commander, if that does work, then you go to the group commander (it was group in the air force, not sure about army... I am thinking its likek regimn or something... its went flight, squadron, group, then wing...) if the group commander doesnt help him, have him try to get into see the Post commander... Also if the medical personnel arent doing what they should, he can file a complaint with the IG (inspector general) and/or MEO (if he feels it is because of race, creed, religion, sex, etc. etc.) I am sure the 1st shirt will want to keep this on the inside... most times it ends as soon as you talk to their 1st sgt... so... BUT if I were you, I WOULD go along with him for support and throw my extra 2 cents in too...

As far as him giving him a reduction in rank, he needs to go see the legal office over that. In the air force they had a section called the Airman Defense Cousnel and it was JUST for these types of things and the lawyers would fight to get Article 15's thrown out, rank given back, etc etc... they ONLY worked for the airmen...

Anyways once this is done, he is probably more than likely going to be medically discharged under honorable conditions... so... anyways I hope this helped ya some from point of view of a disabled vet (I had to go through this same stuff) and military wife. Good luck.

Answer 6

You may address a complaint with his chain of command or directly with the office of the inspector general. The issue you should address is the failure of the chain of command to ensure the health and welfare of the service member. You will need to present all available information regarding your husband's condition including the statements from the doctors attesting to his condition. Request that a hearing be conveiled to determine the medical condition of the service member immediately.

Whenever such a question exist regarding the health of a service member and the chain of command fails to address the situation is a very appropriate time to seek redress. Each major command should have an office of the Inspector General. It is the job of the Inspector General to investigate the complaints of the service members regarding unresolved issues. You might want to speak with your local chaplin regarding the complaint process.

Best Wishes

Answer 7

Being ex-military, and having had medical problems, I can say this about that. It will do absolutely no good for you, as a wife to speak to any military personnel. It will only make matters worse. Contact your senator, and give him all the details, but make sure the facts are absolutely correct in every detail. I had to do that when I was in, and it worked well. That is the coarse I would recommend. If your senator won't help, then write to the senator who is head of the armed services subcommittee. Even 4 star generals listens when he speaks.

Answer 8

Sounds like you need a good lawyer. I know a Vietnam vet that was diagnosed with brain cancer just after Bush passed a law saying that any vets without a diagnosed condition by a certain date couldn't get medical costs covered by the government. He and his whole platoon were exposed to agent orange. He is the only survivor to date. All the others died within 20 years of serving. He couldn't afford doctors in the US, so spent his life savings on medical treatment in Mexico and legal fees. About $250,000.00. He finally won after a two year battle in us courts to cover his medical costs. But, he now doesn't have long to live unfortunately.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can effectively do. The military member is the only one who can avail themselves of the practices and chain of command. You can contact your Congressman and/or Senator to see if that can help. Unfortunately, your husband is the one who is going to have to be aggressive in handling this. If his immediate command is ignoring official orders that have placed him on profile, it is within his right to continue up the chain of command to battallion level or beyond. Also, if he is having problems with his general practioner, is it within his right to request being reassigned to another primary care for a second opinion, or a third or a fourth. I would also suggest looking for a tricare approved civilian specialist (his primary care will have to put in the referral) for an immediate evaluation as well. They should not have stripped him of rank just because of an emergency med-evac...it is possilbe there is more to it. In any case, if all of this is true, it may be time to take to JAG or to a civilian lawyer expereince with dealing with the military. It is a complex situation which is going to take time and help to resolve.

Answer 10

I would've have already stepped in to be honest. My husband is in the Army and he had broken his knee cap.. took a year for them to bother doing an X Ray... Nice huh. Anyways.. definitely go to Battallion or speak to 1Sgts your self. Tell them to come spend a week in your house and then try and tell him he's faking it. The military can be a pain in the a** when it comes to stuff like this. You husband can also skip command and write a letter to a higher up... this may be frowned upon by his chain of command but it obviously needs to take place!