My organization has been around for awhile. It is a non-profit organization; however, our bottom-line is non-negotiable. We have all total over a million and a half employees, both full-time and part-time. There are doctors, mechanics, water purifiers, R&D, technicians, pilots, truck drivers, police, firefighters, IT, chefs, musicians, mariners, clerks, photographers, HR, electricians, nurses, fuelers, engineers, divers, tankers, snipers, and warriors on the payroll. My organization is capable of establishing a small city in the middle of nowhere and conducting business for an indeterminate amount of time. The men and women in my organization are highly trained and for the most part, fiercely loyal. We strive for success and hold honor above all else.

My organization is amazing; though it is not perfect. At times, mistakes are made and members of my organization fuck up, but when they do, the leadership of my organization does not bury their heads in the sand.

“We will do what’s right for our soldiers and their families. And our soldiers and their families need to know that the Army leadership is committed and dedicated to ensure that the quality of life and the quality of their medical care is equal to their quality of service and sacrifice,” Army Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody said at a Pentagon press conference.

“I’ll take responsibility. I’m the vice chief of the Army and I’ll make sure it’s fixed,” he said.

Responsibility and accountability are not just buzz words in my organization, but words with meaning. We cannot define honor without the two.

“We all share in the responsibility and accountability. We accept that accountability. One of the matters I hope to learn about is why the problems and concerns were not raised up. I never received concerns from a soldier or family member,” Winkenwerder said.

No one has been relieved of command or fired, Cody said, but he did not rule that out.

“We will do the right thing across the board as we continue to assess where leadership failure and breakdowns were. In some cases, I’ll just say as plainly as I can, we had people put in charge who did not have, in my mind, in my experience, the right rank and the right experience and authority to be able to execute some of the missions that was required,” he said.

As a 19+ year full-time employee of my organization, I am equally outraged as I am embarrassed by the conditions recently found in building 18 at Walter Reed, and my heart aches for those wounded warriors and their families who were subjected to that. And I’m pissed the hell off.

I have a lot respect for General Cody and have absolute faith that he will get it fixed, and then some (I’ve seen him fix things), but I’m mad as hell because my organization is better than that! No matter how full our plates get, and how demanding the op-tempo becomes, we never ever fail at taking care of soldiers. I have no idea what circumstances led to the abhorrent conditions in building 18, but I’m certain they will no longer exist by the time you finish reading this post.

I intend to visit Walter Reed and building 18 when I travel to Washington D. C. for the Milblog Conference in May. I have every confidence that I’ll be reporting good news.

I’ll take responsibility. I’m the vice chief of the Army and I’ll make sure it’s fixed.

I remain extremely proud to be a member of my organization. Sgt Hook out.

UPDATE: Chuck Z has more details.

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Posted by Hook @ 0554 zulu | | Permalink
This post is filed under: Army Times & Soap Box & The Soldier

Very good observations, Sir. I am a bit amazed that the “smack down piece” (Jordan comment-B5) was the first heard about these conditions. With all the free involvement of our citizenry in these blogs, it seems a patient or relative of the same would have written in. Maybe it is just a character attribute not to complain, but if fellow patients, in other words, someone else, were in distress, somebody would have been duty bound to say something. Either conditions were considered tolerable by those affected, or this blogosphere needs to address its own failure at a base line level.

Comment by JD Johnson — 22 February 2007 @ 1408

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I’d been hearing about this as I visit the wounded in my area. I wonder why the families didn’t complain, as well. I know the VA hospital in Livermore, CA could use a little shaking up, if what I hear is true.

Comment by Cheryl — 23 February 2007 @ 0323

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I truly hope this is resolved. These Heroes have scars and injuries, both physical and psychological, because they were upholding their duties and protecting us, including all the caregivers at WRMC. To whom are we most thankful? The “healthy” Heroes currently fighting, who come home to PTSD? The wounded, who come home bearing battle injuries as a physical reminder that they can no longer expect a “normal” life? The Heroes who gave all? Are there varying degrees of gratefulness? Should there be? Lay to rest with all the respect the ones who so richly deserve, and give the absolute best care to all those left to carry on in their wake. It is not a courtesy; it is our duty as American citizens to love and care for those who protect us.

Comment by Jackie — 23 February 2007 @ 1326

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“Drill Sgt. Bleu”,

Since you have just been released from Bldg. #18, what are your thoughts about this place? I’ve spent some time in a med hold and will permanently be dealing issues. I sure hope you can still cause some trouble!

Thanks,
Grumpy

PS.

JD Johnson, This is not just an Army problem, but it is a NATIONAL problem! As I read your whole comment, from 2/22/07@14:08, you write as someone who has never been in the military. This is the way it appears to me, I may be wrong, but I seriously don’t think so. If you have, equally, I don’t think you had dealings “military medicine from the patient’s point of view”. The first casualty is rank, you’re a patient that’s it. You comment on the possibility of “conditions being tolerable”, does this make them acceptable or right? Military people are survivors by nature. But, this fact does not make this sitution any more acceptable, nor right. No, I am not, nor have I in the past been a member of the U.S. Army. I was in the U.S. Air Force, all of the branches have “their own skeletons in their own closets”. “Grumpy”

Comment by Grumpy — 23 February 2007 @ 1851

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Hook,

It appears SECDEF has appointed a review board on this Walter Reed issue. Gates directly stated he accepted the articles’ premise. I think we all agree, the problem was never at Walter Reed itself, but more at the outpatient care. Hook, you would never understand, yeah right, part of the problem is the paperwork and the lack of enough caseworkers. In your post “My Oraganization”, you gave your assessment and I gave mine. As I listened to Gates, I seriously hoped they would resolve these issues and make it easier for these warriors. I would be liar to say I don’t have doubts. There are just so many questions. My hope your pride in your branch would be well placed.

Thanks,
Grumpy

Comment by Grumpy — 23 February 2007 @ 2231

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