The number one priority of our Army today is readiness and one key component of readiness is Soldier deployability. The Army is preparing to launch a suite of new tools to help leaders manage the medical readiness and deployability of Soldiers. Munson Army Health Center is taking all measures to make sure that providers and support staff are trained on the new policies, procedures and profiling system that will go into effect on June 1. Dianna Wolfe, Munson's Medical Readiness Care Coordinator, is conducting trainings for the medical staff and commanders on Fort Leavenworth. "There are some big changes that soldiers need to be aware of. With the new implementations, temporary profiles will no longer have built in recovery time and permanent profiles that are currently in the profile system will need to be rewritten within the next 15 months." said Wolfe. "In addition, with the new temporary profiles the Soldier may be able to take an APFT while on profile." Ms. Wolfe said.
Profiles are a form of communication between the health care provider and the unit Commander. Ms. Wolfe stated that "the profiles are no longer recommendations to the Commander; they are instructions from the provider. This is a huge change for the Commanders."
Another big change is the introduction of the Commander's portal that will allow Commanders and senior NCOs to have better visibility on their Soldier's deployability. After June 1, Commanders can view all essential readiness information in one convenient portal. "The commander's portal is intended to be a one-stop shop for medical readiness and deployability information. Command teams will have the ability to see their unit and their Soldiers in ways that previously required homegrown spreadsheet trackers or stubby pencil tracking." Unit leaders will also have the ability to contact the profile writers directly through the portal. Training on the use of the Commander's portal is also underway by trainers in units across the installation. The initial roll out will allow company command teams to see their formations while subsequent roll-outs will provide a view on larger units such as battalions and brigades.
Training will continue until June 1 for the medical teams and the Commanders. "This is a culture change in the Army and the medical community, resulting in better communication, better visibility of the Soldier's medical deployability status and this change will ultimately improve the wellbeing of the soldier." added Ms. Wolfe.