irishviking561
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? FL
I recently was diagnosed with 6 bulging discs and a protruding disc in my spine; 3 in my neck and 3 in my lower back. This prevents me from standing guard, carrying a rifle/wearing body armor, and even doing my job in the warehouse. My First Sergeant, three Corporals, two Staff Sergeants, four Docs + HM1 and the MO I saw at Camp Pendleton explained that a back injury on my level is not something you "gung-ho" through; it has severe lifelong consequences. My orthopaedic said that if I make it much worse I'll need neurosurgery, and that comes with a whole new world of potential complications and repercussions.
HM1 said that unless it gets better within 6 months (a prognosis NOT delivered by my orthopaedic specialist) then my time in the Reserves will likely be over. However, there are a few people in my unit with power that have it out for me because of some drunken incident while off-duty involving vomit and new shoes.
My question is this: if I seek to maintain a healthy future it means taking a strong interest in a potential medical discharge. What is involved/required to begin the process of atleast getting evaluated? Can I have my orthopaedic do another full exam (MRI's, XRays, etc) or is that something the military prefers to handle? What are the steps after that? Do I need to worry about angry powers-that-be impeding the process of maintaining my health?
*Note: I am a drilling Reservist. These problems were found in February but not actually discussed with my highers until I arrived in California for AT. This led to severe @$$-chewing, as was deserved by me for not notifying them of the degree of my problems but also a lot of strings pulled to keep me in low-demand occupations while here. I should have been placed on TNPQ in February and was not; so according to HM1, I should technically already have 6 months in TNPQ, the standard time limit. Does this have any impact on things?
Many thanks
LCpl Owen
I recently was diagnosed with 6 bulging discs and a protruding disc in my spine; 3 in my neck and 3 in my lower back. This prevents me from standing guard, carrying a rifle/wearing body armor, and even doing my job in the warehouse. My First Sergeant, three Corporals, two Staff Sergeants, four Docs + HM1 and the MO I saw at Camp Pendleton explained that a back injury on my level is not something you "gung-ho" through; it has severe lifelong consequences. My orthopaedic said that if I make it much worse I'll need neurosurgery, and that comes with a whole new world of potential complications and repercussions.
HM1 said that unless it gets better within 6 months (a prognosis NOT delivered by my orthopaedic specialist) then my time in the Reserves will likely be over. However, there are a few people in my unit with power that have it out for me because of some drunken incident while off-duty involving vomit and new shoes.
My question is this: if I seek to maintain a healthy future it means taking a strong interest in a potential medical discharge. What is involved/required to begin the process of atleast getting evaluated? Can I have my orthopaedic do another full exam (MRI's, XRays, etc) or is that something the military prefers to handle? What are the steps after that? Do I need to worry about angry powers-that-be impeding the process of maintaining my health?
*Note: I am a drilling Reservist. These problems were found in February but not actually discussed with my highers until I arrived in California for AT. This led to severe @$$-chewing, as was deserved by me for not notifying them of the degree of my problems but also a lot of strings pulled to keep me in low-demand occupations while here. I should have been placed on TNPQ in February and was not; so according to HM1, I should technically already have 6 months in TNPQ, the standard time limit. Does this have any impact on things?
Many thanks
LCpl Owen
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