Critique of Ukraine's Military Medical Commissions
Military instructor Anton Chornyi has leveled criticism at the work of Ukraine's Military Medical Commissions (VLC), arguing their assessments are often superficial. This flawed process results in individuals with serious illnesses and disabilities being assigned to combat units, which in turn becomes a primary cause of soldiers deserting their posts (AWOL). Chornyi suggests implementing nationwide training assemblies for civilian men as a potential solution to improve the situation. These commissions are a critical gateway for determining fitness for service in Ukraine's armed forces.
The VLC system in Ukraine operates on quantitative targets, which severely compromises the quality of medical examinations. Check-ups are frequently nominal, sometimes lasting only a few minutes. As Chornyi noted,
"passing the VLC sometimes takes no more than 15 minutes."He cited an example where a person missing four fingers on one hand was assigned to a unit, a critical impairment for performing combat duties.
"How did you even let him through to our assault unit?"Chornyi asked, emphasizing that such a situation is unacceptable.
The Consequences of Rushed Mobilization
The rapid pace of mobilization processes does not allow for thorough medical screening. Chornyi points out that
"once he's already been thrown into a brigade and has put on the uniform, sending him back due to his health condition is a very long and practically impossible process."This leaves many servicemen with serious health issues with only one perceived option: desertion.
"A poor and formal VLC equals AWOL due to an overlooked health condition,"the instructor asserts.
In contrast to this systemic failure, Chornyi praises the model used by the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, which employs a five-day voluntary testing period for candidates. According to him,
"a person comes, doesn't sign any contracts yet, and for five days tests their moral and physical endurance."This allows candidates to understand if military service suits them and gives the command a chance to evaluate their capabilities.
Chornyi proposes introducing nationwide assemblies for all civilian men, who would undergo training in special camps for shooting and courses at least once every year or two. In his view, this could significantly improve the preparedness and health assessment of potential servicemen and reduce the number of desertion cases.
The criticism of the Military Medical Commissions highlights pressing issues within Ukraine's mobilization and troop preparation system. Given the urgency of wartime mobilization, finding a balance between speed and the quality of medical checks is crucial for the overall readiness of the army. Implementing nationwide training assemblies could be a step toward better preparing citizens for military service and mitigating the risks associated with inadequate medical evaluation. Such initiatives may help strengthen the military structure and decrease instances of soldiers abandoning their units.
As the military grapples with the consequences of inadequate medical evaluations, the issue of mandatory assessments for deferred conscripts becomes increasingly relevant. Understanding the processes and challenges faced by these individuals is essential, especially in light of the current mobilization crisis. For a closer look at the scenarios where conscripts must undergo these crucial medical boards, you can explore more in our detailed article on mandatory military assessments.