Hello everyone. I'm currently 13 months into a 3 year contract in the Army. I spent 4 months in Iraq as an infantryman. About a month ago I was seriously injured when a booby trap in a house blew up killing 3 of my friends. 5 more soldiers were seriously wounded including me as the explosion was so large it brought most of the house down and the one next door. I was tossed about 10 feet. I was knocked out, took a lot of shrapnel, fractured a bone in my back, and a lot of other minor injuries. I've spent almost a month at home trying to heal but I'm still having serious back pain and a certain amount of difficulty dealing with what happened on an emotional level. I'm not sure I want to continue to serve in the military and definitely not in the infantry. What options do I have? I appreciate any and all answers.
2007-03-27 19:44:15 · 7 answers · asked by CB 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
MMRB. One should be pending on you if you're injuries are that bad.
2007-03-28 03:19:29 · answer #1 · answered by The Tin Man 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Re-class is the way to go. I understand what you're going through as I have lost men in combat as well. Don't take this the wrong way, but get over it. There is nothing you could have done to prevent that, there is nothing you can do now to bring them back, and you have to be thankful that you are alive and able to be with your family. All you can do now is honor them by doing the right thing. The right thing is not trying to find a way out of the Army. However, if your injuries are bad enough then perhaps a discharge is the right thing. Get checked out, have MRIs done, and find out where you stand as far as medical standards. If you are put on a P1 or P2 profile, you can still serve and support the Army. P3 or P4 and you will get discharged with disability.
Thanks for your service.
2007-03-27 20:04:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im probably not the person to answer this question since Im not actually in the service, but I have been doing a lot of talking to various people that are, as Im thinking about going into the National Guard. I'm eyeing an MOS under Adjutant General, like Administrative Specialist or Human Resources...something like that, since office work is a lil more in my line of work...(check the army website for list of different MOS's) I know its a big jump from being in infantry, but these things would be easier for you to do and stay in the Army, suggesting your docs give you the clear to be able to. I would give your injuries time to heal themselves up, since it sounds like they are fairly severe in nature and are still quite new. You might actually be better off staying in the Army if you can to maintain all the benefits that go with serving...I could be wrong, but from what Ive been told, it is. Apparently the VA system is really a mess to get through right now, but they are supposed to be working to streamline that more.
Sorry to hear about your buddies, its a tough thing to loose people close to you like that. There are resources available to handle some of the emotional issues...have you thought about talking to psychiatrists or chaplains? I know it can feel embarrassing and all, but believe me, these people can really really help get through grief easier...you are probably already aware of these things, but never hurts to reinforce their availability. But yeah, definitely look into switching your MOS before decided to get out...the army has a TON of options for you.
Oh and I cant end before thanking you for your service to our nation...that is the most important thing!
2007-03-27 21:16:32 · answer #3 · answered by northernillinoisboy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry about what happened to you & the death of your friends.
I suggest if you feel that strongly about not going back, you talk to a psychiatrist and a clergy. They can recommend a disharge for you, if an M.D. won't. You should be able to get an honorable discharge, so don't worry about that. Again, I am very sorry about what happened. Thank you for serving our wonderful country. God bless.
2007-03-27 20:05:41 · answer #4 · answered by chellek 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you injuries are serious enough you will be medically boarded. You will be retained in your current MOS, reclassed to another MOS or Medically chaptered out of the military.
2007-03-27 20:04:16 · answer #5 · answered by lostokieboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes the military will keep you in, even though you are recovering. You get free health care, plus continue to draw your pay.
Let it go for now. Wait 'til you feel better.
2007-03-27 20:06:50 · answer #6 · answered by Barry auh2o 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I suggest you crosstrain into another MOS as soon as you heal if possible. As far as the healing goes, I think you have to be able to still meet minimum requirements to perform your duty. Maybe you can switch into a non-field MOS. Thats all I can say for now.
2007-03-27 19:56:37 · answer #7 · answered by tecsklls9 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋