Army Fires Commander of Walter Reed, Kerry Welcomes New Leadership
by Pamela LeaveyThe commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center was fired Thursday in the wake of the Washington Post series that “exposed the squalid living conditions for some outpatient soldiers at Walter Reed and bureaucratic problems that prevented many from getting the care they need.” Army Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman was fired after the Army said “it had lost trust and confidence in his leadership in the wake of a scandal over outpatient treatment of wounded troops at the Northwest Washington hospital complex.”
In releated news, John Kerry vowed on Thursday that he would immediately ask Congress to support $18 million for additional mental health staffing assistance for VA vet centers in the FY07 Emergency Supplemental.
Kerry believes that this funding is critical to ensuring that our veterans, especially those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Veterans with PTSD represent a large percentage of Vet Center patients. The funding Kerry is requesting will ensure that they get the care they deserve. The Bush administration’s lack of planning for the large influx of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars has led to a shortfall, and given that approximately 30 percent of those veterans suffer from some mental heath issue, increased staffing to meet these needs is vital.
The inadequate staffing and misuse of funds has led to problems in the Defense Department’s handling of medical care for our soldiers as well.
Kerry also said on Thursday that he approved of the Pentagon’s decision this morning to fire Major General George Weightman, the Commanding General at Walter Reed.
Kerry visited Walter Reed on Monday to inspect the facility and meet with soldiers in the wake of press reports in the Washington Post and Army Times.
“It’s been clear to me for a long time that America’s heroes are not getting the type of care and attention they deserve,” Kerry said. “Now we see that even active duty military are sometimes treated as second-class citizens, housed in sub-standard facilities and subjected to unending bureaucracy. Those who have spoken out are even being told to keep quiet. This is unacceptable and it disrespects the sacrifice that our brave troops are making on behalf of every American. Walter Reed should have never been allowed to deteriorate to such a dangerous level and I’m relieved that there’s going to be new leadership. That alone won’t get the job done. All of us in Congress will be watching closely to ensure the highest level of care for our soldiers.”
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The deterioration of Walter Reed Army Medical Center did not occur in the last five months that MAJ GEN Weightman has been in charge. In fact, the general that is replacing him in the interum, LT GEN Kiley, had been in charge of WRAMC for years prior to GEN Weightman taking command, even during the beginning of OEF and OIF wars. The real people that should be fired are way up the chain of command, the president, vice president, secretary of state, congressman and senators…the list goes on and on. Money in the Armed Forces medical and the VA system is scarce and they do not have the medical or ancillary support to care for all the injured soldiers returning from OIF and OEF. America has now seen only a small glimpse of the problems and issues surround war vets.
Why the need to fire fire fire?? Gen Weightman has only been in charge since August. He has helped improve things during his tenor. He seems like an easy target for those higher up in government and the Pentagon who want to cover up their (less obvious) involvement. Absolutely, our troops deserve the best. But proven leaders like MG Weightman need the time and resources needed to fix a system overwhelmed by waves of wounded from OIF/OEF.
Army Doctor