Army Reserves and testing positive. Question... - TheBody.com's Bulletin Boards

I was a reservist in a combat unit, and I was informed by my XO, the Senior Chief Corpsman, and a Chaplain that I was HIV+. The setting: me in woodland camo, them all in dress whites, and the words that I tesed HIV+ as part of my 5 year physical. No contest, the single most surreal and bizarre moment in my life. In my experience as a HIV + reservist, I found out the following things. 1) My command maintained my confidentiality, and those who knew did everything they could do to support me. They even tried to get me activated so I would be active duty and receive full health care benefits. However, all the orders available specified HIV- status so that wasn't possible. If you trust your command with your life, don't fear them now. They MUST maintain confidentiality or face the UCMJ. You are REQUIRED by Army regs (I assume) to inform your chain of command immediately, but you should go through your unit's medical officer or the nearest medical officer to your Reserve Center. They have experience and can guide you in how to inform the chain. 2) The US Navy had a specific and clearly defined non-discrimination policy for HIV+ members, I assume the Army does too. A sailor needed to produce (reservists at own expense, or through VA) an annual medical review package to BUMED outlining medical condition and fitness for duty. Not easy, but simple. That was the only thing that would have gotten me discharged, letting my health go or not proving fitness for duty. 3) Although I was allowed to complete my contract and retire with 24 (8 active 16 reserve), there were limitations placed on my assigned duties. I was not allowed duty OUTCONUS, and limited to INCONUS billets within a 300 mile radius of a military medical facility. Which is basically any military installation in the US. But it did prevent assignment to combat or forward deployed units. I was given assistance finding a billet that would let me get my 20. 4) I was still a sailor in every way. I had to meet uniform regs. I still had to PT. Evals. Advancement. (ugh) ceremonial details. I still felt (feel) guilt that I never went with my old units when they were deployed to the sandbox, but I channeled it into the duty I was assigned. if that's the biggest bitch I got? I need to shut up. And that's it. I served another 7 years after infection, earned my first Navy/ Marine Corps Achievement Medal, got challenging assignments I never would have considered, and was able to complete my service honorably. You haven't failed your men, any more than they fail you when they drop their weapon or miss a qual at the range. You made a mistake. You learn how you can learn, return, and turn and burn. Serve, move on, and live your life Army strong. feel free to contact any time.

Edited by randomantic (11/29/12 06:16 PM)

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