Jimmy, the way it is now set up in the Services is that the Medicos are supposed to make a
preliminary determination in every case where someone presents (generally at the ER) for treatment of some disease or injury (worse than a cut finger or poison ivy). This preliminary finding (which is in no way binding) is principally set up as a way to initiate a formal inquiry. Otherwise, how will command and JAG find out about the injury or disease, unless the troop does not show up for work.
If the case warrants an inquiry, a junior officer in the troop's same command is usualy appointed as IO (investigating officer), and he is referred to JAG who gives him a copy of the LOD (line of duty) regs, and the investigation regs, and answers his questions. The IO then conducts an investigation and prepares a report and recommendation which is bucked thru Jag, who may return it for further action, finally for a JAG review and recommendation, and then to command for a decision and action.
There then is a separate command determination of whether the injury or disease was or was not incurred in line of duty, and whether it was or was not due to misconduct of the troop. If it is misconduct then time lost is bad time added to the end of enlistment, and there may be punishment (Art 15 or even trial), and if military property is lost or damaged, there may also be a Report of Survey (different regulations) performed and a determination that the troop is financially responsible for the repair or loss.
If the incident is a bad sunburn resulting in absence from duty for a day or two, all of this may be dispensed with and an Article 15 given. If you have a troop who against regs takes his MX (no lights) dirt bike out at night with no helmet and rides in a restricted area on base, and clotheslines himself on a telephone pole guy cable, his hospitalization is not in line of duty, is due to own misconduct, he is given an Art 15 for DUI and reckless driving and busted down to airman slick sleeve, and 6 weeks is added to his 4-year enlistment. (True story)
The more entertaining cases are when Airman Horny traffics with MaryJane rotten-crotch for money and he gets a social disease. You Navy guys probably have never heard of this one.
