The Broken Soldier

Two gripes this evening. Or, depending on how one classes things, actions, etc., one gripe: Government inefficiency.

My wife got a letter Thursday speaking to a judgment against me. Apparently I owed a medical bill collection agency an unreferenced amount of money. The judgment, which I assume includes the original debt, collection and legal fees, come to the tune of $4k or so. This for treatment that a) Was for a line of duty injury, and b) for which I have, on numerous occasions submitted bills, requests for reimbursement, and necessary documents (a form to request use of the form to request use of another form, ad infinitum).

So. Here we are. I have a judgment on my credit record. An act, along with the still unresolved year’s worth of incap pay - to which I’m entitled by law and submitted the paperwork for several times over the past year and half - and consequent inability to keep up with my debts, have ruined me financially. Your government, in this case the Michigan Army National Guard and its ironically named Health Services Office, are on the job. By “on the job” I mean asleep (or mentally handicapped, which I imagine would be sort of like being asleep or at a minimum less conscious than you and me) at the wheel of important processes like military pay and payment/reimbursement of Line of Duty injury medical care.

FYI, an E-6 pulling active duty for the Guard makes about as much, after taxes are taken and allowances are added in, as a $70k+ salaried individual, plus full benefits (including retirement). The difference between the salaried individual and the active Guardsmen/women: The salaried person can get fired for incompetence and neglect and flat out not doing their job well, whereas the active Guardsmen/women gets service accommodations and promotions. Officers, some of whom had a hand in the fumbling of this matter, make much, much more. An O-6 (Colonel) makes roughly $6k to close to $10k/month base pay depending on years of “service” and approximately another $2k (non-taxed) in allowances. I know of at least one O-6 whose hands were all over this family-style goat fuck. Your tax dollars at work.

Next up, government waste. I admit to feeling ambivalent on this one. The action is in regard to the nerve stimulator implant. I’m scheduled on the 4th, this next Monday, for ANOTHER spinal stimulator implant consultation. I’ve already had a spinal stimulator implant consultation, but with another local clinic. Why the two clinics can’t communicate, assuming candidacy for said procedure is a matter of allopathic diagnostic connecting the dots (not a subjective matter) and why the Army hasn’t facilitated communication between the clinics is beyond me.

I have no idea how much these consultations cost. I assume around $200. But the cost is irrelevant. It’s a fine example of government waste. The only redeeming factor in this action is that it’s being done led by my squad leader’s efforts to hurry the procedure. Kudos, “Coop.” You are truly what an NCO should be, but too few of your colleagues are. You’re earning your keep, brother. If only others were as competent and careful in their jobs. There’d be no need for this site.