I have been active duty army for 4 years now. Long story short I hurt my shoulders downrange and had surgery on both. Now I am beginning the process of a med board, but I went back to the orthopedic and he recommends I get more surgery. So right now I am trying to decide between these two options: Get out soon with the med board and get my severence pay and have the VA take care of my surgeries, OR stay in another year and have the army do both shouders again, and get paid all year, plus my severence pay when I get out?
I am torn between the two because I am tired of being in the military and I want out as soon as I can, but I am also looking at it that if I stay in another year to get both surgeries done again, I would make a lot more money than if I get out right now. Plus i'm worried if I get out that the VA wouldnt pay for the surgery. (You know how we get told lies sometimes.) Also please keep in mind that I am married with family so please tell me which one sounds better
2007-11-26 12:56:44 · 13 answers · asked by The Bohemian 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I agree with most of these guys, I think you should stay in. During that year, you will have everything taken care for you health, dental, you will be earing a paycheck, PLUS your severance/disability pay when you get out. Like all these guys said, this will give you time to heal and prepare for you and your family when you do get out. I would bear with it. If you are having 2 surgeries - one on each shoulder, you are going to have at least 30 days of convalesant leave for each surgery, adn you will be on a limited profile anyways so that eliminates a lot of BS there. Just earn the paycheck, stay in and get the surgeries done by the Army. At least you are guaranteed the surgery if you stay in. You wont have the same benifits if you get out now. everything changes when you get out. Plus, you will most likely be non deployable so you and the fam wont have to worry about you getting sent downrange.
2007-11-26 13:23:04 · answer #1 · answered by Betrayed and Insane 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If additonal surgery will be needed, you will not find any better care than while being Active Duty. It takes a long time to get an appointment with the VA and that is just for being evaluated. Then more wait until surgery is scheduled. Don't count on a large disability check. Disability pay won't even be established until after surgery is done, rehabilitation has taken place and tests done for arm/shoulder mobility. I would recommend staying Active Duty.
2007-11-26 13:14:49 · answer #2 · answered by rnwallace07 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just so you know, if you're both Active duty, chances are you both won't be gone at the same time. If you want to join the Army, go for it. Don't be afraid to fulfill your dream. Who says just because you joined the Military you can't have a family? Having kids in the Military is actually more of a blessing than anything. I don't have any kids but I was in the Army and I can say it is a great environment to raise kids. My best friend is still active in the Army and has 4 children. Her husband is in, too. They have great health care benefits and a lot of perks. You know, it is okay wanting to have a career. Before you can even think about starting a family, you need to be financially stable and the Military actually is very stable. Job security is a must nowadays.
2016-04-05 23:54:34 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is kind of a 'no-brainer'. Look at what you wrote. You yourself spelled it out. Stay in, make the money, support your family and let the military take care of the surgeries. Then take your severence pay and head for rehab. This you know is dependable. VA is going thru a lot of changes right now and who knows what will be available when the dust clears? Be sure to check into your disability also.
2007-11-28 02:43:05 · answer #4 · answered by Shan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I have to agree with some of the answers already given. I think you should stay in. You already know the pros and cons. I recently had knee surgery and know how diffucult physical thearpy can be. Staying in one more year would allow you more time to prepare for the future. Let me know what you decide and just like the guy above me said sometimes its not about what you want its about whats best for all of you.
2007-11-26 13:16:17 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
stay active duty. i know you might not like it, but the fact is that your family is important and you if you know you need surgeries then you can't afford to leave active duty. health care is something that we take for granted until we leave active duty and when we do it stinks. high co-pays, rx's and all of that, and time off. take care of yourself first and then think about getting out. the thing about va is that the only thing the only thing you can rely on them for is that they are unreliable. so don't hold your breath.
2007-11-26 16:07:55 · answer #6 · answered by rebel with a cause 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been waiting 11 years now for the VA to replace my damaged hip....so stay in and get it done...otherwise you get put on the list with 10 million other veterans needing medical attention.
2007-11-26 13:24:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Stay, at least you have the benefits of being active duty. When you get out things can change very quickly. Right now you have housing, meals..ect.
2007-11-26 13:16:02 · answer #8 · answered by 2nd AD/ 4th ID 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Stay in VA is not all that well with doing complicated surgery.
2007-11-26 13:02:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would stay. The wife and kids would have a roof overhead, medical coverage and you close. It would also give you additional time to get your future on track.
Sometimes the decision is not for you, it's for them.
2007-11-26 13:09:02 · answer #10 · answered by Stand-up philosopher. It's good to be the King 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋