Recall to military service - exemption?

[supergurl0502]

State: Maine
Someone I'm close with just received notice that he's getting recalled to military service and will be sent to Iraq. He got out (E-4) 2 years ago and was an infantryman. He's been on anti-depressants due to the death of his mother (he also has a history of depression). Could he possibly qualify for a medical exemption? What are his chances and how do we proceed? Any advice at all would be appreciated. He's supposed to report in a month.

is your brother in the i.r.r or what is his situaion. the number to the g.i rights hotline is 1-800-394-9544. they are non profit group of peace activist that help soldiers with military law and procedure. they are on your side, call them . Another thing, this is for you and all the people out there who did not go to recall that were in the i.r.r, the military is going to start dis charging you with the worst being an other than honorable oth. If anyone wants the article to see for yourself, email me at [email]smokey52800@yahoo.com[/email], I will be glad to send it to you.

[supergurl0502]

Thanks for the response. Yes, he is in the IRR, he was active duty army for 4 years until 2 years ago. I will give the hotline a call. I wonder if it would help for a lawyer to file for exemption on his behalf. I will send you an email with my address so you can send me the article you mentioned.

[fozzy2]

Originally Posted by supergurl0502

State: Maine
Someone I'm close with just received notice that he's getting recalled to military service and will be sent to Iraq. He got out (E-4) 2 years ago and was an infantryman. He's been on anti-depressants due to the death of his mother (he also has a history of depression). Could he possibly qualify for a medical exemption? What are his chances and how do we proceed? Any advice at all would be appreciated. He's supposed to report in a month.

A "medical exemption", a finding that he is not fit for duty, will depend greatly upon the details of his medical treatment/condition. Does his doctor think that he needs drugs for depression only for a short term/one time incident (mother's death), or is his prognosis that he will require long term medication? Precisely what is his diagnosis as per the current DSM manual? These are often matters of medical judgment (i.e. a medical review or board of some kind).

[dallas702]

He doesn't need an outside group of agitators screwing up his future. Tell him to make his appeal by the book with proper medical documentation and he'll be all right. He's done his duty and he has proper recourse. If need be, he can appeal to his congressman (person). If he wants to screw up his life so a bunch of yellow freaks can talk about how wonderful they are and sing "Kumbiya", then by all means put his name with them.

Originally Posted by dallas702

He doesn't need an outside group of agitators screwing up his future. Tell him to make his appeal by the book with proper medical documentation and he'll be all right. He's done his duty and he has proper recourse. If need be, he can appeal to his congressman (person). If he wants to screw up his life so a bunch of yellow freaks can talk about how wonderful they are and sing "Kumbiya", then by all means put his name with them.

Other than contact your congressman. Are you capable of offering some real advice for this OP instead of sarcasm and insult? This question goes for a lot of your replies.

Just because you may have been born with a crew cut, and your father probably made you stand at attention for the majority of your addolecent life doesn't mean the rest of the posters on this board have.

But then again what should we expect from someone from Texas?

[dallas702]

First, I'm not from Texas but I know a lot of proud veterans from Texas who served their country and fought for the liberty of people whether they knew them or not.

Second, I do not favor the idea of being recalled after the legal term of enlistment has been served. But, if there is time left and a soldier's skills are needed then it is right to serve if he is able. If he is not able, then there are channels to use to be exempted...not some group who doesn't understand what the mission is about or why they have the privilege to be able to criticize the people who have given liberty to them.

The last thing this soldier needs is to have his future stained by associating with some antiwar, antimilitary asses. What he does now will follow him through his life. He needs to do it right, and through the proper channels.

Yeah, both my parents were WWII Navy officers, and I and everyone in my family has served, but that doesn't make me some kind of robot. I'm more of a rebel than you can imagine. I fought with my superiors too many times to count during my years in uniform (and out), but I learned that if you want to do bigger things with your life later you need to play by the rules. There's a time for protest and working for change, and there's a time for standing up against tyranny.

This soldier can still do his duty, but maybe in a different way. He can probably get a combat exemption, but perhaps can still support his friends who are going to be on the front. Whatever happens he will always have to look in the mirror and think about whether he did the right thing for others and not just himself. That's being a man!

OP;

If he has only a month before his report date I hope he has a pile of documentation in his hands. He needs to take action now!

Originally Posted by dallas702

First, I'm not from Texas but I know a lot of proud veterans from Texas who served their country and fought for the liberty of people whether they knew them or not.

Second, I do not favor the idea of being recalled after the legal term of enlistment has been served. But, if there is time left and a soldier's skills are needed then it is right to serve if he is able. If he is not able, then there are channels to use to be exempted...not some group who doesn't understand what the mission is about or why they have the privilege to be able to criticize the people who have given liberty to them.

The last thing this soldier needs is to have his future stained by associating with some antiwar, antimilitary asses. What he does now will follow him through his life. He needs to do it right, and through the proper channels.

Yeah, both my parents were WWII Navy officers, and I and everyone in my family has served, but that doesn't make me some kind of robot. I'm more of a rebel than you can imagine. I fought with my superiors too many times to count during my years in uniform (and out), but I learned that if you want to do bigger things with your life later you need to play by the rules. There's a time for protest and working for change, and there's a time for standing up against tyranny.

This soldier can still do his duty, but maybe in a different way. He can probably get a combat exemption, but perhaps can still support his friends who are going to be on the front. Whatever happens he will always have to look in the mirror and think about whether he did the right thing for others and not just himself. That's being a man!

OP;

If he has only a month before his report date I hope he has a pile of documentation in his hands. He needs to take action now!

to quote the phrase thats seems to be all the rage "you're full of crap"

[dallas702]

thepizzaguy;

...and your advice can get this guy a lifetime of trouble.


...and apparently you are the idiot you show yourself to be.

[onocep]

I am no way a lawer, but, I did serve for 10 years with getting out with honorable in 97. If he is being seen for depression, then it is a good chance that is all you need as long as you got paper work to back it up. My wife also from the military fell under the same problem. She has an other than Honorable discharge, which can be reviewed and updated to honorable after X amount of time (forget how long). At the time we went through this (times changes things), all she needed was documentation.

I believe strongly since he is being seen by a doctor (because of the prescription for anti-depressants) that the military will let him go with other than honorable. After all, do they really want an individual carrying a rifle to be on drugs or depressed?

I would start with giving COPIES of the paper work requiring him to return to active duty, AND any and all documentation to the local recruiters office. And, if possiable a doctors and/or a chaplains statement. If you find the recruiting office not so helpful, they have a chain of command and I would just keep pushing it up till your heard.

[supergurl0502]

Thank you so much, everyone, for the tips. If you think there's any info in particular he should request from his doc in addition to the following, pls let me know:
-history of depression
-history of medication
-long-term prognosis
-basically the opinion that he is not fit to serve