Returning to duty from temporary disability in the U.S. Army: observational data and commentary for commanders,...

Before 2011, Army commanders were unable to achieve complete visibility of soldiers possessing temporary medical limitations. The creation of time-limited definitions and technical categorization of this group, now known as the medically not ready (MNR) population, eventually allowed its quantification. With heightened visibility of the group, leaders in the Fort Stewart community facilitated its management through soldier medical readiness councils. In this commentary, we introduce a project that identified and tracked a cohort of 2,490 MNR soldiers for a 1-year period until they either recovered or entered the medical separation process. We identified that musculoskeletal injuries accounted for a heretofore unrecognized 87.4% majority of the MNR population. Prognosis of the MNR population was generally good. Fifty percent of the population returned to duty within 90 days of illness/injury. Seventy-seven percent returned to duty during the follow-up period. Although low back and knee/leg injuries were the largest contributors to the MNR population, low back issues were more likely to result in medical separation. Traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder did not contribute significantly to the MNR population. This article seeks to describe the natural history of the MNR category of temporary disability for commanders, providers, and soldiers alike.