ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
For active-duty servicemembers that find themselves needing more than 90 days of medical treatment, the 79th Medical Group has a squadron dedicated to their care.
The Patient Squadron is a unique place here at Andrews, currently consisting of 11 patients with one due to in-process, most of them usually coming from overseas locations.
They may arrive from Operations Enduring or Iraqi Freedom or from locations that may lack the proper facilities for a patient's specific medical needs.
The squadron provides a place for Airman to receive treatment and, if able, work a detail between their medical appointments.
Those details may be basic administrative and clerical work or various service positions. Depending on a patient's individual capabilities, they may work anywhere from one to eight hours per day.
There are two different status types for a patient to be considered a member of the squadron. If a patient falls under AFI 41-210, they are assigned to the squadron on official PCS or PCA orders, or attached to it on a TDY status depending on whether or not they are in or out-patient.
Once a person is considered in need of ongoing out-patient care, they are then formally assigned to the squadron. If undergoing in-patient care, they are attached to the squadron until completion of their care.
Depending on the kind of treatment they are receiving, squadron members are placed into appropriate housing per an individual's needs.
The selections consist of the Fisher House, the Mologne House (Walter Reed), dormitories or military housing, both on and off base.
While patients are assigned or attached to the Patient Squadron, enlisted Airmen obtain a new duty AFSC of 9P, and officers temporarily become 93P0. This allows the patient the necessary time to receive proper treatment without having to worry about training deadlines and requirements within their AFSC.
While the patients are a part of the Patient Squadron, they have multiple people at their disposal to insure that their needs are met.
Like any other squadron, the Patient Squadron has a chain of command.
The 79th Patient Squadron administrator, Mr. Charles Barker says, "One part of my job is to act as a referral liaison for patients, helping them with issues such as finance, TMO, and other various personal matters."
"I also try to keep track of the patient's medical records, so when they have specialist appointments they know the location of their records," said Mr. Barker.
The Patient Squadron assists Airman in receiving the medical attention they need, without having to worry about the demands of their Air Force duties.
This allows the patients to concentrate on recovering so they can return back to active duty, or, if necessary, go through the formal Medical Evaluation Board, or MEB.
The MEB determines whether or not the patient can return to duty, or receive an honorable medical discharge for the patient's health benefit, in order to retain a 'fit to fight' Air Force.