Monday June 9, 2014
What is it?
Individual Soldier medical readiness is critical to build and maintain an operational force. Physical examinations were only done every three to five years which resulted in the medical readiness of the force to be not fully known, with medical issues being discovered when the Soldiers were getting ready to deploy. In 2009, with the implementation of the annual Periodic Health Assessment (PHA) in 2006, and the Army Selected Reserve Dental Readiness System (ASDRS), this ‘just in time’ tracking and treatment of medical and dental problems came to an end .
The overall goal for medical readiness is 85 percent. All Soldiers are required to have a PHA , an annual dental exam, and treatment needed to bring a Soldier to Dental Readiness Classification (DRC) 1 or 2. The DOD goal for PHA completions is 90 percent. The Health Affairs goal is 95 percent DRC1 and DRC2. Soldiers are able to get needed dental treatment accomplished by using the Army Selected Reserve Dental Readiness System (ASDRS).
Currently the Army National Guard(ARNG) is at the highest level of medical readiness at 85 percent in its history as compared to being at 41 percent in 2007 (source: MEDPROS).
What has the ARNG done?
ARNG is actively in partnership with the Veteran Affairs and active component to build the Health Readiness Record, and are increasing the capability of MEDCHART, ARNG’s suit of medical readiness applications.
Recent congressional appropriations have allowed ARNG to begin funding an enduring program to increase the numbers of military psychological health care professionals and build the information technology infrastructure needed for the DOD’s Behavioral Health Data Portal.
The ARNG has achieved success through hard work, leadership influence, and effective use of the medical readiness funding, personnel, and programs.
What continued efforts does the ARNG have planned for the future?
The ARNG will continue to leverage leadership, best practices, and innovation to build efficiencies in funding use and improve systems to account for costs associated with increased medical readiness and management of non-medically ready Soldiers.
Why is this important to the Army?
Individual Soldier medical readiness is critical to building and maintaining a ready and relevant operational force and generates several second and third order effects; increased attendance at annual training, attendance at schools, promotion, career progression impacts, increased retention rates, lower costs associated with disabilities, and better health for the military community as a whole.
Guard Your Health is an important resource for Army National Guard Soldiers and family members, for health-related tools and information.
Resources:
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