Not An Outcast

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

05.14.2015

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Vin Stevens 

XVIII Airborne Corps Public Affairs

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – It was the tail end of October, 2014 when the winds of change literally knocked me to the ground.

This change resulted in a broken ankle and months of physical and mental recovery.

I was injured during an airborne operation when a gust of wind took my canopy to the ground fast and hard, causing my left ankle to break and fold under my leg.

As a highly motivated paratrooper, I endured months of painful physical therapy sessions.

I also endured the silent stares of disbelief, playful ribbing, and some not-so-friendly stares, which at times made me feel less motivated.

Unfortunately, some individuals hold the perception that injured Soldiers with physical limitation profiles are “outcasts.”

These individuals believe that Soldiers should be cast out of the Army for their lack of capability to perform basic job functions and unit physical training.

Some of these individuals verbally assault the injured Soldiers.

I’ve spoken to many senior noncommissioned officers over the past few months. Some of them claimed that that this perception isn’t a problem in their formations.

However, the senior noncommissioned officers all concur that this perception is not consistent with Army Values. I wholeheartedly agree.

Some years ago, I also believed that Soldiers with physical limitation profiles were substandard.

I maintained this perception for years as I excelled at physical training, arrogantly boasting 300s on my physical training tests.

I was put in charge of physical training programs intended to rehabilitate injured Soldiers and my demeanor toward injured Soldiers was cold.

I proudly displayed the Army Physical Fitness badge while my character suffered because I belittled injured Soldiers.

I am not proud of that.

And for being an individual, I was humbled on Sicily Drop Zone.

I admit this mistake because I know there are leaders and future leaders who believe that injured Soldiers with physical limitation profiles are “outcasts.”

What’s worse is that these individuals pass this belief through our ranks.

I’ve seen it at morning formations. I’ve heard the jeers hurled at Soldiers walking their own pace while a formation of runners passes by.

Not every Soldier with a physical limitation profile is fat, lazy, and a malingerer.

This bullying needs to stop.

For one reason, an injured Soldier is only physically capable of doing a certain level of physical activity.

Individuals insulting an injured Soldier only aggravate the situation and may cause the Soldier to feel depressed or unmotivated.

That is no way to foster a team environment.

Soldiers face enough adversity between tough training, deployments, and a shrinking Army.

Another reason is that leaders who focus on what can’t happen fail to see the potential of what can happen.

If an injured Soldier can contribute to the unit in some capacity, then the leader should focus on that, rather than the negative impact the injury caused to the unit’s mission.

Given time, the injured Soldier will heal and most likely be able to perform as they did before.

A Soldier who violates a physical limitation profile is in essence violating an order from a superior officer.

Do you want to encourage that kind of behavior as a response to other orders?

Lastly, an injured Soldier who receives encouragement will be more willing to progress and rejoin the team.

They will also be more likely to pass on encouragement to other injured Soldiers.

As I attend my last physical therapy sessions, I reflect on where I was immediately following the injury.

I was using crutches to get around and medication to manage extreme amounts of pain.

I now walk comfortably on both feet, without medication, and am beginning to jog.

Although I know that I am physically limited as to what exercises and military training I can perform, I am encouraged by each milestone.

I will be back to 100 percent.

I attribute my recovery to many people, but especially the physical therapy staff.

Although the exercises were painful at times, the staff provided the right amount of monitoring and encouragement, keeping me mentally fit as I physically progressed.

You know who you are, and thank you!

The lesson I learned from all of this is a simple one that many of us are taught early on, before we ever make the decision to serve our country.

Treat people how you want to be treated.

I ask you to think about that lesson the next time you see an injured Soldier in your formation, and put yourself in their shoes.

• Date Taken: 05.14.2015
• Date Posted: 05.15.2015 09:53
• Story ID: 163418
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US