Let’s talk about People First for a min. When do we actually start putting the MH needs as important aspect for leadership. Sure, it may impact readiness numbers. Would you rather explain to the CDR about why your numbers aren’t green or explain to a /1 Soldiers family why green dots are more important than their life.

Last week we had a Soldier from Fort Hood commit suicide in his barracks room. This is just shortly after the Soldier was release from inpatient care for attempted suicide. Unfortunately, the Soldier /2

Let’s talk about taking care of Soldiers. A SFC had issues with childcare due to the pandemic and his wife has high risk pregnancy resulting in him missing work while she is hospitalized. The unit decided the best COA was to chapter the SFC with almost 18 years. /1 When the SFC pointed out the leave takes him over 18 years and requires separate rules. The command changed the separation date to yesterday (28 Jan) with no notice while his wife is in hospital giving birth (basically terminating Tricare). /2

October 7, 2001 was the beginning of The US war in Afghanistan. Here, 2,312 American Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen would be killed in action over the course of nearly 20 years of blood, sweat and tears of almost three generations of Americans./1 While countless others were wounded by the conflict and carry scars that may never be visible. We have seen fathers and mothers deploy to only hand over the fight to their children. It will go down as the longest conflict in American history. /2

Imagine you are a Blackhawk crew chief deployed forward in Afghanistan. Imagine is a day like every other day, where you are sitting with your crew by your bird, playing cards when suddenly, a “broken arrow” call comes on the net. An ODA and Afghan partner force is ambushed by the enemy and in danger of being overrun.

You get diagnosed with #cancer while on transitional leave. You get referred to MEB, you return to your unit and your #ETS orders get revoked, your elect to continue the #MEB process IAW AR 635-200 para 1-24, you file a reques for an extension to complete MEB. 1/ The CG denies your extension because his office says you were #cancer free and was recalled to AD to get diagnosed. You have never left the #Army up until that point. The Army separates you. While you are still waiting for final cancer determination by the Army itself. 2/

RIP SPC Joey Riley of Grove City, Ohio
KIA 24NOV2014 #MemorialDay RIP SSG Jason Matus #MemorialDay