Medical seperation

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on February 11, 2017 at 7:32pm

The Navy has very, very little tolerance for anything having to do with ADD......all he can do is appeal and hope.  Do not expect a very positive outcome. 

Permalink Reply by Tom Brown on February 11, 2017 at 10:14pm

Dennis, I feel you!  My son is in a similar situation because he has a bee sting allergy. My son's rate is CT-N. The situation your son and my son are in is very disappointing and discouraging for them and for us Dads.  I don't know where in the process your son is at this point, but the process goes something like this:  usually the first request for a medical waiver is declined. That's because the first review of his waiver request is judged solely on the medical condition. If this first request is denied don't view it as a setback because many or most are declined on the first request.  If/when the first request is declined your son can appeal to the Commanding Officer at RTC Great Lakes, Capt. Garrick. This appeal is supposed to take into account the big picture of your son's situation, not solely the medical part.  He will be given counseling by the base legal department on how the appeal process works, he will be offered an attorney from JAG or advised that he can retain a private attorney for representation during the appeal process.  If the appeal to the CO is denied there is another appeal that can go to the CO's boss, Rear Adm. Joseph Kilkenny.  If this appeal is denied I think you're toast because I don't believe there is any further appeal. I assume that your son is now quartered in the THU/SEP ship at RTC.  He should be picking the brains of the POs and CPOs that run that ship and talking to the other Sailors and Recruits who are quartered there to learn as much as he can about their experiences.  Good luck - this sucks. 

Permalink Reply by Tom Brown on February 12, 2017 at 12:11pm

Here are my thoughts - 

You wrote: He thought if he was discharged, he'd be returned home in about 20 days; if he contested it would be 30-90 working days before review.

For a short time my son was quartered in THU. During that time he of course talked to the guys around him and found that some of them had been in THU for way longer than 90 days - one person had been there for 300 days. The process will take as long as it takes.

You wrote: If the decision is appealed, do they remain in Separation while that's ongoing?

My understanding is "yes". They will live in the THU ship on the floor designated for SEPs. My son had graduated boot camp before being put on hold, so he was in fact a Seaman and enjoyed the new freedom that comes with being a real sailor.  When the SEP label was applied to my son his freedom was restricted - not as bad as boot camp but way less than that of a normal sailor.  Plus, he is not allowed to up-phase his liberty privileges. 

You wrote:  He said he received a prescription for hypertension, can recruits complete RTC under a prescription for high blood pressure? 

I have no idea. 

You wrote:  If (fingers crossed!) an appeal is accepted, are they allowed to let us know via phone?  Would we expect a new form letter with new grad date, new mail address, etc.?

Phone call - Yes.  Form letter - Probably, but don't know for sure. I notified my son's recruiter immediately. He has no influence over this process but has been in touch with my son periodically to provide advice and guidance, cheer leading, and a bit of empathy.