Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

The well being of Soldiers and families is one of our major objectives and health care is critical to that well being. Soldiers leaving the service are screened for mental health concerns. At times, there may be a delay in obtaining a mental health evaluation.

William Beaumont Army Medical Center and its Community Mental Health service have opened additional appointments to address this concern. With this change they should meet a goal of no more than seven days for chapter, recruiter, drill sergeant and security clearance evaluations.

Mental health professionals offer some advice and assistance to Soldiers reporting for care. Soldiers deemed to need a true suicide watch should be admitted to 11W. Often, however, Soldiers presenting to Soldier and Family Medical Clinic or Emergency Department with complaints are deemed to be somewhat less serious than impending suicide in the judgment of our mental health professionals.

These Soldiers would merit unit watch, which is when a battle buddy from the Soldier’s unit is assigned for 24 hours, ensuring that shoelaces and sharp objects, etc. be taken away. Soldiers under unit watch may be unpredictable and so, observation is warranted. An appointment is then scheduled in CMH for the next day.
The CMH folks conduct a weekly Advanced Individual Training Support Group in Bldg. 1016 for students identified by the chaplain as needing additional support. This forum is currently under-utilized and we need to reevaluate how we are getting the message out on this program. In addition, all brigade commanders may contact CMH at any time. Observation by unit personnel may not be reasonable or practical in all cases (or in any cases). We need to examine this issue more closely.

Sick Call for AIT Soldiers is a training issue. SFMC will work on a more efficient sick call for AIT Soldiers with a goal of getting AIT students back to training as early as possible, when medically possible. Sick call at SFMC currently starts at 6:30 a.m. We could target bringing 6th Bde. Soldiers in at 6 a.m. to complete administrative requirements/medical screening, which would allow them to see the providers quickly. WBAMC and 6th Brigade will work on this issue.

WBAMC and its Medical Boards section have met the MEDCOM standard (beginning with the Part I physical examination to the date MEB packet arrives at PEB) for 3rd and 4th QTR FY04. However, some cases have exceeded this standard, usually because the Soldier has not yet achieved maximum medical benefit or an administrative requirement has not yet been met (e.g. chapters 10, 13 and 14 halt the MEB process). WBAMC will make available to 6th Brigade and any unit an NCO to identify concerns and provide education on profiles and the MEB/PEB process of AIT Soldiers in particular.

Another important issue needs some attention. In a recent fatality review board, which is held after any accidental or suspicious death of a Soldier, statistics provided indicated an increase in high-risk behaviors; driving under the influence, drug usage, child and spouse abuse and traffic violations. These are serious issues that commanders and leaders must address and come up with proposed solutions.

Other discussions centered on the Welcome Center/in-processing operation. During transition, particularly with AIT Soldiers moving to on-post units, a clarification of responsibility/control/ accountability, briefings and sponsorship of Soldiers during the transition period is needed. It is critical that unit of assignment sponsors and commanders/first sergeants make contact early on with AIT Soldiers moving to on-post units within the first 72 hours. This should also be the standard for all other incoming personnel.

Other topics to be evaluated and changes proposed will be a standard fee for taxis with access to Fort Bliss; health and welfare inspection of quarters, homes or barracks by senior officers and NCOs; appointing a field grade officer of the day; initiating courtesy patrols and an update of off-limits establishments in the El Paso area. Other discussions centered on a change in curfew and in the drinking age. At the present time there is no plan to change the curfew hours or drinking age.

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane
Fort Bliss Commanding General



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	August 19, 2004

	Troop Talk The well being of Soldiers and families is one of our major objectives and health care is critical to that well being. Soldiers leaving the service are screened for mental health concerns. At times, there may be a delay in obtaining a mental health evaluation. William Beaumont Army Medical Center and its Community Mental Health service have opened additional appointments to address this concern. With this change they should meet a goal of no more than seven days for chapter, recruiter, drill sergeant and security clearance evaluations. Mental health professionals offer some advice and assistance to Soldiers reporting for care. Soldiers deemed to need a true suicide watch should be admitted to 11W. Often, however, Soldiers presenting to Soldier and Family Medical Clinic or Emergency Department with complaints are deemed to be somewhat less serious than impending suicide in the judgment of our mental health professionals. These Soldiers would merit unit watch, which is when a battle buddy from the Soldier’s unit is assigned for 24 hours, ensuring that shoelaces and sharp objects, etc. be taken away. Soldiers under unit watch may be unpredictable and so, observation is warranted. An appointment is then scheduled in CMH for the next day. The CMH folks conduct a weekly Advanced Individual Training Support Group in Bldg. 1016 for students identified by the chaplain as needing additional support. This forum is currently under-utilized and we need to reevaluate how we are getting the message out on this program. In addition, all brigade commanders may contact CMH at any time. Observation by unit personnel may not be reasonable or practical in all cases (or in any cases). We need to examine this issue more closely. Sick Call for AIT Soldiers is a training issue. SFMC will work on a more efficient sick call for AIT Soldiers with a goal of getting AIT students back to training as early as possible, when medically possible. Sick call at SFMC currently starts at 6:30 a.m. We could target bringing 6th Bde. Soldiers in at 6 a.m. to complete administrative requirements/medical screening, which would allow them to see the providers quickly. WBAMC and 6th Brigade will work on this issue. WBAMC and its Medical Boards section have met the MEDCOM standard (beginning with the Part I physical examination to the date MEB packet arrives at PEB) for 3rd and 4th QTR FY04. However, some cases have exceeded this standard, usually because the Soldier has not yet achieved maximum medical benefit or an administrative requirement has not yet been met (e.g. chapters 10, 13 and 14 halt the MEB process). WBAMC will make available to 6th Brigade and any unit an NCO to identify concerns and provide education on profiles and the MEB/PEB process of AIT Soldiers in particular. Another important issue needs some attention. In a recent fatality review board, which is held after any accidental or suspicious death of a Soldier, statistics provided indicated an increase in high-risk behaviors; driving under the influence, drug usage, child and spouse abuse and traffic violations. These are serious issues that commanders and leaders must address and come up with proposed solutions. Other discussions centered on the Welcome Center/in-processing operation. During transition, particularly with AIT Soldiers moving to on-post units, a clarification of responsibility/control/ accountability, briefings and sponsorship of Soldiers during the transition period is needed. It is critical that unit of assignment sponsors and commanders/first sergeants make contact early on with AIT Soldiers moving to on-post units within the first 72 hours. This should also be the standard for all other incoming personnel. Other topics to be evaluated and changes proposed will be a standard fee for taxis with access to Fort Bliss; health and welfare inspection of quarters, homes or barracks by senior officers and NCOs; appointing a field grade officer of the day; initiating courtesy patrols and an update of off-limits establishments in the El Paso area. Other discussions centered on a change in curfew and in the drinking age. At the present time there is no plan to change the curfew hours or drinking age. Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane Fort Bliss Commanding General