IRR MOBILIZATION

File: 970207_aadct_010.txt
Page: 010
Total Pages: 14

                                            MEDICAL LESSONS LEARNED
                                                 DESERT SHIELD/STORM

       CATEGORY: MANPOWER AND PERSONNEL
       
       ISSUE ITEM #:
       
       SUBJECT: PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS
       
       BACKGROUND: Reservists reported for active duty with medical and
       dental problems which should have disqualified them from
       worldwide duty.
       
       DISCUSSION: This problem has many facets. First, reservists do
       not report all medical problems for fear of being thrown out of
       the reserves. Secondly, dental problems are frequently not
       covered under civilian health insurance plans and are not taken
       care of until absolutely necessary. Lastly, reserve physicians
       and dentists may be aware of the reservist's problems and not
       disqualify the individual because of lack of knowledge or because
       of pressure to keep someone active until they qualify for
       retirement. The pressure to keep individuals that are not
       medically qualified stems in part from the fact that reservists
       do not have vesting in their retirement, and can be discharged for
       medical reasons at any time before they complete 20 years. Such a
       discharge means the individual will not recieve any compensation
       for all their years of service.
       
       ACTION RECOMMENDED: This problem was not serious from the medical
       point of view, but did effect large numbers of people from the
       dental viewpoint. One solution might be to offer reservists an
       inexpensive dental treatment plan. Renewed emphasis is also
       needed on worldwide qualification parameters. ROA and other
       organizations need to be made aware of the problems caused by the
       lack of vesting in retirement.
       
       SUGGESTED OPR(s), OCR(s): AFRES, REM, REL, RA,

       COL KOENIGSBERG
       [(b)(2)]