New profile system gives commanders more say

  • Published
  • 82nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Whether injured or ill, Team Sheppard members in need of a medical profile will encounter a new system.

The new system replaces Air Force Form 422, Physical Profile Serial Report, with a two-part system using Form 469, Duty Limiting Condition and a new Form 422A.

Changes to the medical profiling system were brought about due to a memorandum from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, from May 25, 2006. The memo stressed the general's wish that unit commanders have a greater say in the profiling process. It also stressed reducing the number of Airmen that are not deployable because of profile limitations.

"Commanders will now have first-hand knowledge of a member's duty and mobility status, along with the opportunity to further consult with medical personnel," said Staff Sgt. Sophia Young, NCO in charge of profile management with the 82nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron. "The goal is to give commanders and (fitness leaders) more say so in what their members can and can't do."

Sergeant Young said the new process starts with the member's primary care manager who sends the paperwork through the proper channels. Then an electronic copy of the paperwork is sent to the unit commander.

She said from there, it's up to the commander as to what the member can and can't do. The PCM makes suggestions and explains their condition, Sergeant Young said. But it's up to the commander to decide the specifics.

"These changes will help commanders and supervisors determine how to best utilize personnel with functional limitations," she said.

For fitness concerns, the member will be sent to the Health and Wellness Center for a physical assessment. From there, the HAWC will decide what the member is able to do. Some options include rehabilitation or exemptions from testing. These will be noted on a Form 422A.

The Form 422A will be used to document the member's limitations for fitness exemptions, security clearances, retraining applications, overseas availability and assignments.

To ensure a quality product and to strive to return Airmen to deployable status as soon as possible, a deployment availability working group will meet monthly to review all Form 469s and Form 422As.

Changes to the medical profiling system took effect on Sheppard Sept. 25, but won't begin Air Force wide until December.

Any questions regarding the fitness aspect of the new system should be directed to the Health and Wellness Center at 676-4292, while questions regarding the overall profile system may be directed to Sergeant Young at 676-8271.