5 /5 GEORGE ACFALLE: I have Five stars because I only had one little issue with a staff member. I have nothing but great experiences with my PCM and the medical staff here at the Whidbey Island naval clinic. I am not surprised of how many bad reviews on this website. I believe I have an answer. First, it’s the military and we PCS every 2-3 years so there’s always that issue and with that, there’s always good and not so good leadership in the lineup. So what is the fix? Leadership. Leadership needs to hold their people accountable. I am not sure what the clinic’s mission statement is; but maybe it should be treat people with respect and dignity. If indeed it has something along those lines then it starts at the top, the Commanding Officer is not holding their staff both active duty and civilians accountable. Second, there’s a paper called the comment card, I am sure Sailors fill that out. Is the leadership really reading them? And if so, what are they doing about the not so good complaints. Lastly, and perhaps the most important one. Get Real Get Better policy the CNO put out. As an XO, I believe one of the first GRGB Triad training was take care of people. Again, leadership problem not the patient or in this case the Sailor.
Example: I was checking out my medical records last year and witnessed a female Sailor massaging a male Sailor in the records volt. Remember the saying? If you see something say something? Well, I reported it to the clinic CMC, because that is not professional and not in line with military standards. Not so sure what happened with that. Another example last year, I was looking for the lab and stumbled across a Chief, I said excuse me Chief, where can I find the lab? She quickly said read the sings shipmate! Then she quickly looked down and saw my rank device and quickly was apologizing and said Sir, I didn’t know you were a LCDR. I’m so sorry. I then quickly said, Chief, you need to slow your role and attitude. I asked her, is this the way you treat Sailors? No Sir, she said. Again, common practice lingers and festers and gets fed down the chain of command to the junior Sailor to adopt. Now this medical clinic becomes toxic in patient care. Our jobs are like our home front, our kids will 90% of the time do what we as parents do. Nothing changes at the work place; our Sailors see what their seniors are doing and believe it’s okay.
At any rate, we could all do better when it comes to treating people the way we want to be treated. I want to put this thought in your front pockets. Notice how I didn’t say back pockets? Because people will just sit on it. Every command has leadership issues, people skills issues, and sometimes, bad clinical practices. Take it upon yourself to make your command the best no matter where you are stationed. Mentor those who are struggling with or having a hard time with leading. And I will tell you, it works every time.
V/r,
LCDR Acfalle
