Some of you know from a few weeks ago that I mentioned the Army taking steps to have Sean discharged after he failed his second PT test. He had to go get a physical today as part of that. Sean has several bulging discs in his back from jumps over the last few years. He had an MRI done on his back last year around this time and the PA then told him to never jump again. He obviously didn't heed his advice.
Today when the doctor examined him for this physical he looked at his MRI report and told Sean that the Army shouldn't be kicking him out for not passing his PT test, in fact, he told him he shouldn't be running at all or doing the kind of physical things that he is doing. He wouldn't sign off on Sean's phyiscal though and so now we are possibly facing Sean being medboarded. If he is medboarded it would be better than just being discharged because I believe we would receive a small settlement, wouldn't have to payback his re-enlistment bonus and Sean would still be able to use his GI bill. According to Sean we still would have good health insurance.
I'm upset, as much as I tried not to be I know it showed on my face when he told me that. I'm not mad at him, I'm not disappointed in him. I just HATE how everything is up in the air of what we are supposed to do. We are supposed to move in four months, if they go ahead with the medboard then when will we find out we aren't PCSing? How long will this medboard take? I HATE that, absolutley hate the fact I don't know what's going to happen to us in the next few months. Because with the Army there are no clear answers.
I'm not going to lie and say I'm not going to be disappointed if we don't end up going to Italy. I will be, I will take that very hard. I had my heart set on going and if we get out of the Army, quite honestly I don't want to go back to Oklahoma and live in the same place I've lived for the last 23 years. I just don't want to do it. However, I don't want to Sean to be in great pain and continue to injure his body either just so I can go to Europe. I guess I'm just scared because although I've only been living this life for a short amount of time, I assumed this is what I would know for quite awhile and to have that possibly disrupted is just scary.
Anyway...enough of that. I did bellydancing last night. It was fun! Although I can feel it in my hips today! It was about an hour and a half long, we did a get to know you intro and some other fun things and also did a lot of moves. I will definetly be going back! There was a guy there last night who was writing a story for the on-post newspaper and taking pictures. If I happen to be in one of the pictures then I'll try to scan it and show you guys. Let's hope he didn't get a picture of me from the back.....
18 comments:
Sorry to hear about everything. Hope everything works out for you guys. Much Love
I am so sorry that you guys are going through this. Keep us updated; I'm sure you will.
You have every right to be upset! I will say a prayer that everything works out ok.
Oh what a scary, turbulent situation. Keep us updated!!! My fingers are crossed for you guys.
I hope everything works out the way you and Sean would like it to.
I know what you mean when you say you have become accustomed to this lifestyle is such a short amount of time.
Try to keep your head up!
oh, the wonderful joys of the military! That sucks. I hope everything works out. Even if you can't move to Europe, you can still try to make a trip to visit some day!
I am a true believer of "things happen for a reason". This will work out. Keep your eyes open for the unexpected. ((HUGS)) to you!!
Hello. Sorry to hear that the Army is sticking it to ya'll, but it usually does that to everyone! But if you need help, i would suggest that Sean do one of two things, either take the MEDBOARD, because you will keep your insurance, and he will qualify for additional financail aid b/c its considered a disability that is a result of Active Duty Service, however should he WANT to stay in he can do so as well as his doctor would have to sign a statement saying that his injuries that do not allow him to maintain army PT standards are a result of activities required in his job as a soldier (i assume airborne, due to jump reference). He can get a waiver for pt and have it added to his permanent profile and would be exempt from certain aspects of his PT. Of course this would mean he may or may not have to change his MOS if he can't complete the physical requirements of his current MOS. There are options. You just have to look. I suggest going to ACAP, WTU, etc. Not knowing specifics theses are only general options that you may want to look into. goodluck.
Don't apologize about your frustrated feelings about the Army right now, all of us have those moments! It's a love-hate relationship. I also hate the unpredictability of the military life, I'm a planner-person.
Hang in there and know that everything will work out one way or the other.
Ick that is so frustrating and stressful! I am really hoping everything works out for the best!
Belly dancing sounds like a blast!
Medboard would take forever...Rob's roommate is working on getting medboarded and it's super up-in-the-air. BUT, you do get out honorably so that's good, and he'd be able to file for disability benefits. Toodydolly had it right, he'd probably have to change MOSs if his doctor really won't sign off on his injuries...airborne infantry is one of those ones where he'd need to keep up with the PT standards and if he can't he'd have to have a different job I'd think.
I hope everything works out well for you guys...I know the Army is crazy frustrating but I'm sure it'll work itself out!
I have all kinds of issues with the med side of this. He definitely needs to find out what his options are...do not just allow them to put him out. The military is responsible for what has happened to him medically and they need to address it from the aspect of fixing it...trust me, those injuries do NOT DISAPPEAR AS YOU GET OLDER...and what the prior poster stated about the MED Board.
As well as I definitely would go and talk to JAG, being medically boarded out is not dishonorable.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0OXU/is_10_58/ai_108838069
I'm so sorry your going through the struggle of all of this. A few months ago *R* thought he was going to be medboarded because of a botched surgery he had while in Iraq.
Things do happen for a reason, and whatever happens, you guys will do great!
**HUGS**
I am so sorry for all the confusion going on right now. Just keep in mind - our Sovereign God's plan will ultimately pan out - and that will be the VERY BEST thing for you both. Keep your chin up, lady!
I am so sorry that you are going through this uncertain time - I can't imagine...
Bellydancing? WOW that sounds like a lot of fun!!
Sorry to hear about all of the uncertainty, that can be the most frustrating. Sounds like you have great advice from everyone already about how to find out your options.
and belly dancing sounds like a great way to relieve the stress!
Oh, I'm sorry you're having issues. We went through something similar, only it was with the Sergeant's knees, and now he has a permanent profile against running. He has to do walking PT tests instead of running.
I hope everything works out, and that you still get to go to Italy. I love living in Europe..
im late reading this... im late on everything these days. Hang in there, I know what its like to have your life hanging in the hands of the military. such a comforting feeling (insert sarcasm here). but it will all work out... in one way or another... thats what I tell myself!
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