Update: Saturday

Today we received checks from the ARC-ERF loan we requested. They did give us grant money for our electric bill, so that part we don't have to pay back. The rest of it is an interest free loan. Last time we received this, we paid it back in full as soon as Michael got paid. This time, however, I think we'll pay it back in installments, though perhaps we'll send bigger payments than those required, because the sooner we pay it back, the sooner they can help out someone else.

So that will pay for the basics (electric, mortgage, child support, insurance, car payment) plus the home phone bill. We are still way behind on our cell phones, which will probably be shut off before we get Michael's check for September (which is supposed to be the 15th or the 22nd of December, hopefully). And as soon as we can get some paperwork from the VA on his PTSD, they will be able to submit the extension packet for his INCAP pay, which should be good for 180 days starting October 1st. That would be through March of 2009. Hopefully by then he will have had his second appointment at Fort Sill and be scheduled for his board examination/evaluation at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. I also hope to have all of his medical records gathered and put together by then!! That is probably going to be a grueling task, considering how apt the Army is at "losing" such things.

I, as usual, feel a little less stressed now that half of our bills will be paid. But I never get my hopes up too high. The saddest part of this is that Michael and I normally give people credit; we trust people, but now we've become quite jaded in that respect. Neither of us takes anyone working on this case at their word anymore. Basically, we have to see it to believe it. I just hope that doesn't overflow into other aspects of our lives.

Brie'Anne

Rant

On top of all the other frustrations, and although our credit was not top notch to begin with, I feel that the National Guard/Army is responsible for the continued decline of it. No matter that we get a lump sum of three months worth of pay (in September)...we still have to pay all the late fees and interest fees on everything that is behind. Just wanted to rant about that while it was on my mind.

Brie'Anne

Update: Friday

Michael emailed Bridgette O'Connell the most current medical paperwork that we have. They should also have all of his most current paperwork from our trip to Ft. Sill. There should not only be information on his shoulder injury in there, but also on his PTSD (I haven't discussed that on here yet, but the VA has diagnosed Michael with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, tinnitus, and sleep apnea). She needed this in order to process his INCAP extension so that they can process his INCAP pay for October, November and soon December. Apparently they require an extension every 180 days. Here is the email we got back after Michael sent B.O. the latest documentation we have:

Thu, Dec 4, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

SSG Griffin
I've already sent this to NGB. [National Guard Bureau] This is not enough for them. NGB has determined that with you [sic] shoulder having reached maximum medical benefit, we cannot pay you Incap for that. We have to do your Incap based on your PTSD.
The VA print out that I have was printed out in August. I need something
more current.


Bridgette O'Connell
LOD Case Manager/Incap Manager

So he called the VA this morning. He uses the outpatient clinic in El Dorado. They told him they would send his most current medical documentation/files out today (in the mail). He called back to see if he could drive there and pick it up (like we really have the money for that, but we are desperate!) and they informed him that they are actually way behind on their paperwork and are currently working on paperwork for May...

Michael requested the VA to release any medical documents to the Army National Guard about 6 months ago and then he did two other requests in early November. I don't know if anyone has received this information. I don't even know what his medical file looks like (though I'm sure it's the size of a large dictionary considering how long he's been in the Guard) or where it might be. We have been told numerous times that they don't have this or that, that they've lost his paperwork, that no one ever sent this to that person. I call it the good ol' run-around.

I am currently working on getting a copy of his entire medical file and then we can add to it as we get different paperwork, since it seems like the Army can't get it together on their own. That is really our major problem here. Personnel in one office fails to communicate with personnel in another office. Paperwork is lost or misplaced (or lies on a desk for a month). One of Michael's contacts in the Guard who has recently gone through the MEB/PEB process and is now out wrote a great thread about this on a forum. Here is what he had to say, and I know there are a lot of acronyms in there, but you can get the picture:

Absolutely understand what you are talking about. I was a FTUS Admin NCO in the National Guard. I have helped facilitate (Unit level) the Incap and ADME process for several soldiers throughout my career and one aspect I have found that attributes to this problem is that the process is "people dependent" and not "system dependent". What I mean is when soldiers are brought on to AGR or Tech Duty they are basically thrown a set of keys to the armory and told, "keep it open and learn your job". The learning curve for the position is long because the process is intimidating and overwhelming. Because of this there are usually only a couple of competent personnel (especially since Admin/Supply NCO's are an entry level position) in each Battalion/Squadron. For this reason they are the folks that are depended on to make the system work. If these personnel are not in the soldiers particular company/troop or if they are on TDY the work will not get done. Others depend on their expertise and will not make a move without a phonecall to confirm what they are doing is the right thing and as the tasks pile up apathy sets in. This is not an excuse, it is inexcuseable, but that is the reality of the situation.

Another issue if you are at a JTFHQ which it sounds like you are and maybe assigned to a CBHCO then there is usually ONE, (and this absolutely kills me every time), person who does THAT PARTICULAR JOB AND NO ONE ELSE ON IN THAT OFFICE OR ON EARTH FOR THAT MATTER HAS EVER CROSSTRAINED INTO NOR KNOWS ANYTHING REMOTELY GOING ON IN THAT PERSONS POSITION. Therefore they cannot help you when that person goes on leave for two weeks. Nothing gets done and things get stagnant. Again, inexcuseable.

Once this accumulates the poor training and increased workload (which would stress a well trained section), creates an atmosphere of apathy and survivalism. Thats where the fingerpointing you eluded to come into play. Deflection as a survival mechanism. What I mean is once they get into that job then they automatically come to two realizations. 1) That is the most important job in the Army/AF/Navy etc.. and 2) Their maintaining status in that job is the most important thing in that office. Both of which are false assumptions which lead to neglect of the soldiers/airmen etc... that they were put there to assist. This is all attributed to as Jason said, a failure in leadership.

That's pretty much how it is. If I could fix it I would, but we're talking about the entire United States Military here. I'm only one person, right?

Brie'Anne

Update: Thursday

As of today, I have emailed our ARRC-ERF application to CSM Collins with copies of all the bills we are requesting get paid (I did this on Wednesday-yesterday). This is an emergency relief fund that we used the first time. They gave us an interest free loan which we promptly paid back as soon as Michael received some of his back-pay. They also paid one or two of the bills with grant money that we didn't have to pay back, which was nice. Also, we received assistance from USA Cares. They brought our mortgage payment current at the time, as well as paying a few other past due bills, with a grant.

If Michael and I ever get to a point where we can comfortably make donations to charities, USA Cares and the Arkansas Reserve Components Emergency Relief Fund will certainly be at the top of our list!

Now, as for how all of this makes Michael feel...as far as I can tell, and from what we've talked about, the situation makes him feel expendable and worthless. Now is that how a veteran should feel? No, I am pretty sure he should feel the complete opposite! He has done his duty to this country. He was a good soldier and a good medic-probably one of the best. He should feel that the military recognizes and respects this and does their best to make his life a little better. But instead, we are hung up in the middle of the bureaucracy that is the United States government, making up for the inadequacies of people who cannot fulfill their job duties, doing the majority of the paper and leg-work ourselves.

Brie'Anne

Additional response from CSM Collins

Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 9:19 AM

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Brie'Anne and Michael, just a follow up on the issue with National Guard Bureau. With the Supervisor getting involved, we got confirmation from NGB to send the Extension Request by email and it was emailed yesterday. As we here [sic] on the progress of the extension, I will let you know. I can not even predict any kind of turn around but I hope it will not be too long.


Deborah J. Collins
Deborah J. Collins
State Command Sergeant Major
Arkansas National Guard

Excuses, excuses or CSM Collins' response

Tue, Dec 2, 2008 at 4:18 PM

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Brie'Anne, September will be processed/reviewed by the INCAP Board tomorrow. Hopefully I can give you a pay date (when you will get paid) by close of business tomorrow if not then the next day. Brie'Anne, I do not have any excuses for why this was not processed. It is totally our fault according to the explanation I have received. This does not help you, and you and SSG Griffin have every right to be really upset. I will tell you we are working so very hard to try to get this process streamlined and we have also provided several more full time personnel authorizations to work these issues, but unfortunately we have to go through the hiring process which is not fast. I do know that this is an issue that The Adjutant General, the Chief of Staff, myself and several others have been pushing to try to get it fixed.

I do not know when the pay date will be as it depends on cut off dates for input, etc. etc. Based on the projected pay day, we may need to do another ERF application like you'll did the last time. Now there is another issue in that National Guard Bureau must approve an extension packet (only 6 months at a time) - they must approve starting for Oct. There is a problem with the computer program that this is suppose to be done through. However, several key personnel are involved and making contact with NGB to try to get the paperwork to them (it is all suppose to be done through this computer system) More to follow on this issue. I don't have an answer for it yet. I will let you know more as I get the info.


Deborah J. Collins
Deborah J. Collins
State Command Sergeant Major
Arkansas National Guard

CSM Collins' immediate response

Tue, Dec 2, 2008 at 8:00 AM

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Brie'Anne, I received your email and am checking into what is going on. Give me a little time. I was out when you sent your email originally and I know Bridgette is state employee and was out until yesterday. I will let you know.


Deborah J. Collins
Deborah J. Collins
State Command Sergeant Major
Arkansas National Guard