Bemoaning The Lack of Sports in The CF? [merged thread]

[ballz]

Why is the healthcare system part of the problem why we have unfit soldiers?  I think you should elaborate a bit.  If the healthcare system is part of the problem as to why we have unfit soldiers, it's because they haven't been afforded the necessary tools and policy for them to be able to do their jobs accordingly.

Trying to treat everything with physio for one. It would be much cheaper in the long run to just diagnose the injuries and treat them, even if it includes a $1500 MRI, than to let these injuries drag out for 2 years and then the member gets released. I was fresh off Ph 4 with that torn Patelllar tendon, the military had spend an ungodly amount of money to make me a trained Infantry Officer, and yet they wouldn't spend the $1500 on an MRI to solve the problem so that they could actually get their money's worth. Luckily, through sheer dumb luck, I have recovered to the point of being functional again, but the longevity of my knee is certainly at risk and eventually will require a major surgery, which is only to prolong the life of my knee before I am eventually using a cane.

Two, if you have a member on restrictions who loves to abuse the chit system, you can't send them to the PSP for the "extra PT." They must be sent to a specific PSP member who deals with members on medical restrictions, and only the people that can send them there are the medical staff. I had a member fail a BFT because "his ankle hurts," (I would assume both his ankles hurt carrying around the excess weight). I put him on IC which directed he do remedial fitness. Except I can't make him do remedial fitness because he has restrictions, and the medical staff won't make him do it.

Like I said, I agree in theory that fitness and nutrition should be part of the Medical Corps problem, via the PSP, but I do not in my heart believe that it would be of any benefit to do so given the current state of our medical corps. Under-resourced and overwhelmed.

 

[ballz]

Health Services can provide diagnosis, treatment

And it sure is hard for the CoC to ensure our troops are fit without those two things.

 

[MJP]

Agreed, too often do I see people on a chit for a month, two months etc with physio and rehab for back, Sprains etc just thrown right into PT 110% risking worsening the injury etc because of CoC pressure as to why they are not part of the unit for PT.

This is the second or third time you have brought up doing pt while still injured.  Then that is a shitty CoC not a crappy medical system.  I work in your world in a round about way and as an outsider I see little of that in the unit I belong too.  Granted it is only a small sampling of the sigs world and maybe our CoC just cares but it also the same for when I work in CSS and infantry units.  Not wading into the medical world debate because it isn't my lane and I have had nothing but pretty positive experiences for my subordinates and I.  Were there issues?  Yup.  Did we engage the CoC on both sides to solve them like adults?  Yup.

 

[MedCorps]

So please, be offended all you want, the healthcare I am receiving and the healthcare my subordinates are receiving is sub-par, full stop.

Have you filled a formal complaint / letter of concern with the Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces Health Services Centre that supports you and your subordinates?  Rest assured we take written correspondence where allegations of sub-par care have occurred quite seriously and none of these letters are just tossed out. 

If you have great, you are being a leader.  If you have not quite being a wanker and complaining like a Pte down in the smoking area. 

Not writing the Clinic CO about a problem you or your troops are encountering with his / her health care system is akin to noticing a problem about a rifle scope and not filling in a UCR about it but instead bitching on the Internet about it.

MC

 

[PuckChaser]

We're probably way off topic from sports, and spliting sometimes just kills a topic, but hey: mods, maybe a split?

MJP: As a veteran of 2 serious knees injuries, I can tell you without them being diagnosed properly they can feel fine in a few weeks (conveniently when the chit expires) and not many guys want to be that "MIR-commando" and head back for a reassessment when "it feels fine", especially if you've been told its just a mild sprain, here's some physio. No followup appts are made in a few weeks to reassess when the swelling goes down, and do the imaging then (as I believe the MRI works better when there's not acute swelling) to either ensure there is nothing seriously wrong if Lachmans/other tests indicate something abnormal. Follow ups need to be ordered, not optional to prevent people from being hurt for 6 months before they find out its a serious injury that requires surgery.... and a 6-8 month wait for that surgery. They could have been on the list 5 months ago.

 

[ballz]

Have you filled a formal complaint / letter of concern with the Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces Health Services Centre that supports you and your subordinates?  Rest assured we take written correspondence where allegations of sub-par care have occurred quite seriously and none of these letters are just tossed out. 

If you have great, you are being a leader.  If you have not quite being a wanker and complaining like a Pte down in the smoking area. 

Not writing the Clinic CO about a problem you or your troops are encountering with his / her health care system is akin to noticing a problem about a rifle scope and not filling in a UCR about it but instead bitching on the Internet about it.

MC

You'll notice I said our Adjt was talking to the MO in one case, that didn't happen by bitching in the smoke pit... That's just a small piece of it. I have taken plenty of action, much to my own detriment for being pot-stirrer, on behalf of my troops. Lucky for me I am not a careerist, or if I am I'm doing it all wrong

 

[MedCorps]

Good drills...

Just remember this sounds like it is more than a Unit / single MO problem and your unit (OC / DCO / CO) might want to engage the CF H Svcs C CO to ensure that he has visibility on the sub-par systematic health care problems in his AOR. 

MC

 

[trustnoone73]

I shouldn't still be dealing with a knee issue for over a year now and just cringing when I do unit runs in pain.  I know people in way worse situations then I am.

How is doing unit runs dealing with knee issues?  I'm not a Doc but being infantry for two decades my knees are my paycheck and I don't know many people who cured knees by running in pain.  By not many I mean zero. 

A sub one year knee problem.  Typically that is really minor or awesome lucky.  Feel like turning that into a multi-year PCAT. Running in pain is a good start.  I'd be curious to know what medical professional prescribed that as opposed to several non-impact cardio options.

98.2% of the people I see running on unit PT are usually wasting their time anyway.  I'll wager that stretch of tarmac will still be there when your knee is GTG.

 

[upandatom]

This is the second or third time you have brought up doing pt while still injured.  Then that is a shitty CoC not a crappy medical system.  I work in your world in a round about way and as an outsider I see little of that in the unit I belong too.  Granted it is only a small sampling of the sigs world and maybe our CoC just cares but it also the same for when I work in CSS and infantry units.  Not wading into the medical world debate because it isn't my lane and I have had nothing but pretty positive experiences for my subordinates and I.  Were there issues?  Yup.  Did we engage the CoC on both sides to solve them like adults?  Yup.

No means did I say all was horrible, Ill agree fully wrt to the CoC push to have full and absolute attendance/participation. I have had great experiences and bad.
I'm in no way shy of PT at all, even when on a chit, I still make sure to get 6 workouts in a week around the injury or adapting my workout regime to the injury.

We're probably way off topic from sports, and spliting sometimes just kills a topic, but hey: mods, maybe a split?

MJP: As a veteran of 2 serious knees injuries, I can tell you without them being diagnosed properly they can feel fine in a few weeks (conveniently when the chit expires) and not many guys want to be that "MIR-commando" and head back for a reassessment when "it feels fine", especially if you've been told its just a mild sprain, here's some physio. No followup appts are made in a few weeks to reassess when the swelling goes down, and do the imaging then (as I believe the MRI works better when there's not acute swelling) to either ensure there is nothing seriously wrong if Lachmans/other tests indicate something abnormal. Follow ups need to be ordered, not optional to prevent people from being hurt for 6 months before they find out its a serious injury that requires surgery.... and a 6-8 month wait for that surgery. They could have been on the list 5 months ago.

And yes, when in repeatedly about one issue NOT being resolved or looked after, you do start to get treated differently by unit and medical staff. Even when the injury was documented to occur on Military time, at a unit PT session, with appropriate medical documentation.

 

[dapaterson]

Clearly, there are always new sports coming along.  I think I've found one that many CAF members would be happy to participate in - and a Canadian holds the world record.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/canadian-lewis-kent-chugs-to-beer-mile-world-record-1.3325859

 

[maloney519]

Are there any gymnasiums to play basketball or floor hockey during free time on the grounds? I couldn't find a thread with any any information about this sort of stuff.

 

[mariomike]

Are there any gymnasiums to play basketball or floor hockey during free time on the grounds?

Physical fitness is an essential part of life in the military. By maintaining a high level of fitness, members of the Forces are stronger, have more energy, are self-confident, have fewer injuries, and are better able to handle physical and mental stress. Our members are dependable, capable and physically ready to be deployed on short notice.

You will be tested on your level of fitness throughout your career and certain physically demanding jobs such as Firefighter or Search and Rescue Technician have their own fitness standards apart from the rest of the Forces.

Because staying fit is such an important part of life in the Forces, time for fitness training is available during normal working hours when circumstances permit. Most military facilities have a gym on site.

Getting involved in sports is another fun way to stay fit while making new friends. The Canadian Forces Sports Program plays a prominent role in promoting fitness and good health within the military community. Every base, unit and wing has a variety of both team and individual sports availablefor athletes of all kinds. If you qualify at the competitive level, you may have the opportunity to participate in regional, national and even international military sporting competitions. Team and individual sports range from recreational to highly competitive, Olympic-calibre levels.

To help you stay fit and adopt a healthy lifestyle, the Forces will provide you with:
•outstanding physical fitness and sports facilities
•physical fitness programs and qualified trainers
•participation in base, regional, national and international sports events and competitions
•physiotherapists and sports medicine specialists
•family sports and leisure activities that promote wellness
•smoking cessation and addictions-free living programs
•nutrition and weight-management programs
•stress management programs
•... and much more.

Video included.

Click on "Sports",

http://www.forces.ca/en/page/lifeintheforces-75

See also,

Gyms
https://www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Aarmy.ca+gyms&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-CA:IE-Address&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7GGHP_en-GBCA592&gfe_rd=cr&ei=PsrEV_-OEMaC8QfihZl4&gws_rd=ssl

Sports while in the Canadian Forces
https://army.ca/forums/threads/89702.25
2 pages.

Bemoaning The Lack of Sports in The CF? [merged thread]
http://army.ca/forums/threads/114228.0
10 pages.

etc...