The newspapers this morning updated the fallout from my earlier post on the PTSD brouhaha at Joint Base Lewis McChord.

https://asknod.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/what-happened-to-omerta/

Much like a chain collision in the fog on the freeway, the Army is busy sweeping up the loose ends. The latest collateral damage is that the head of the Madigan Army Medical Center has been removed from his post. This was initially categorized as “on leave” to protect him from a bad OER. Col. Dallas Homas  announced this late Monday (after the newspaper had been put to bed). Actually, Maj. Gen. Philip Volpe, his immediate superior at the Western Region Medical Center announced his much needed break from the rigors of a stressful job environment. Col. Homas was “unavailable” for comment and will be for a loooong time.

Meanwhile, since gravity always carried defecation downhill, the Army Surgeon General was trotted out to contribute her two cents. Sen. Tennis shoes probably excoriated her for letting this get off the reservation. As if that weren’t enough, somehow the rank and file troops who were actually disenfranchised have  heard about it and are requesting reviews of their cases. Who taught them how to read? They should have been held incommunicado at some remote location in East Bumf***, Egypt to prevent this. The potential for this to get out of hand goes without saying. A gag order will have to issued soon or a lot more Vets are going to learn they got the poopy end of the punji stick.

Moving 14 guys to Walter Reed is not the panacea they thought it was going to be. The Army has not divulged exactly how many diagnoses it has “adjusted”.  Gen. Volpe said “As this process continues, we will undoubtedly be faced with areas not yet addressed. That said, everyone at all levels, is committed to facing these challenges head-on to ensure the best care for our soldiers”. He said he has decided to do a little checky-checky on his own. Jez, its not like they can turn the internet off at Fort Lewis. Hello? McFly?

Moving right along, Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Patty Horobo (no relation to Sen. Patty) has finally decided to investigate why the these untermenshen decided to close down a PTSD intensive outpatient clinic in 2010. Some people who like to play Deep Throat came forward and allowed as how it might have been because the clinicians were diagnosing Bent Brain Syndrome too frequently. Get out of here!  This has about as much scientific validity as the Prognosticators involved in Groundhog Day. Pure conjecture on the mainstream media’s part. Unsubstantiated rumors.

In an “official” news release after he’d been caught off guard and bushwhacked by the press, he revealed that Col. Homas’ administrative “removal”, formerly referred to as “leave” (now an inoperable phrase), is a “common practice ” during ongoing investigations. Here’s the “unofficial” news release- Col. Homas might as well retire. He’s screwed. If he respects the law of Army omertà, he may keep his retirement. Chances of seeing O-7 (Brigadier General) are somewhere betwixt slim and none. It’s really too bad. Homas is one of the Long Grey Line (West Point) and would fall on his sword if asked to. Knowing how the military works, our West Point graduate did not come up with this plan to screw brain-bent Vets out of compensation. No way, dude. This originated much, much higher. Nevertheless, the usual suspects will be rounded up. Spin the bottle will determine who was remiss and a Dog and Pony show presentation will ensue in the White House Rose Garden. Sack cloth and ashes will be the uniform of the day. The plight of all Veterans will be bemoaned-especially those mentally impaired by this horrific disease. And then all will return to SOS/DD (same old shit/different day).  PTSD will be recharacterized as a personality disorder and all will be well again. Walter Reed will be shut down because there will be no demand for their services. Next?

Koolaid, anyone?