Can a medical discharge/chapter be stopped once it has been started during basic training?

Jennifer Lynn — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 18:01:54 -0500

Thank you, my question has been answered.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2021 6:32 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 18:32:21 -0500

If this is his second time at basic, he has clearly not met all requirements. If there is “black mold” in his camel back, that is because he failed to clean his equipment. Who analyzed his camelback for mold? You? The Army? From the “surface” it looks like your son cannot conform to the military way of life. Take the medical and be glad that it’s not something else.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2021 8:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 20:13:35 -0500

First off, you have absolutely zero reasoning as a family member to be emailing or calling anyone in his chain of command. You are a family member and absolutely zero individuals within the armed forces has to engage with you. Also, although you are correct with referring to 40-503, they have likely spoken to MEDCOM and MEPCOM and are using DODI 6130.03 which states under disqualifying conditions:
Any abnormal findings on imaging or other examination of body structure, such as the lungs, diaphragm, or other thoracic or abdominal organs, unless the findings have been evaluated and further surveillance or treatment is not required.
b. Current abscess of the lung or mediastinum.
c. Infectious pneumonia within the last 3 months.
d. History of recurrent (2 or more episodes within an 18 month period) infectious pneumonia after the 13th birthday.
e. History of airway hyper responsiveness including asthma, reactive airway disease, exercise-induced bronchospasm or asthmatic bronchitis, after the 13th birthday.
Symptoms suggestive of airway hyper responsiveness include but are not limited to cough, wheeze, chest tightness, dyspnea or functional exercise limitations after the 13th birthday.
(2) History of prescription or use of medication (including but not limited to inhaled or oral corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, or any beta agonists) for airway hyper responsiveness after the 13th birthday.
f. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease including but not limited to bullous or generalized pulmonary emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
g. Bronchiectasis (after the 1st birthday).
h. Bronchopleural fistula, unless resolved with no sequelae.
i. Current chest wall malformation, including but not limited to pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum which has been symptomatic, interfered with vigorous physical exertion, has been recommended for surgery, or may interfere with wearing military equipment.
j. History of empyema unless resolved with no sequelae.
k. Interstitial lung disease including pulmonary fibrosis.
l. Current foreign body in lung, trachea, or bronchus.
m. History of thoracic surgery including open and endoscopic procedures. n. Pleurisy or pleural effusion within the previous 3 months.
o. History of spontaneous pneumothorax occurring within the past 2 years, or pneumothorax due to trauma or surgery occurring within the past year.
p. Recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax.
q. History of chest wall surgery, including breast, during the preceding 6 months, or with persistent functional limitations.

From reading your post and reading 6130.03, your son has a disqualifying condition which should have prevented him from enlistment.

Legal isn’t going to help you, emailing his command isn’t going to help you. The discharge began at the doctors, got a legal review stating the discharge is justified, and the command has approved it. The discharge will continue and there isn’t anything you can honestly do about it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2021 8:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 20:33:31 -0500

Also, if he went to an EPTS meeting, then they began the discharge, he agreed to it and acknowledged this was an ongoing issue before joining.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2021 11:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 23:57:08 -0500

The bar for initial entry separations is very low. You are probably unfamiliar with Army regulations and your son definitely is. He is not receiving a medical separation from a Medical Evaluation Board as AR 40-501 would dictate because he's still an Initial Entry Soldier. He will probably receive an uncharacterized Entry Level Separation.

The recommendation will be made by a PA or NP and reviewed by either a senior PA, NP or Doctor. Offering your unsolicited medical advice on a case you are removed from will not be helpful.

You can call a Congressionman if you like. They will contact the medical section and the provider will show that the Soldier is not medically fit to serve. The Soldier does not have to be diagnosed with anything to prove that they are simply not medically fit enough for service.

No doubt he is feeling defeated, but he's an adult and has to work through this on his own, and that will make him stronger in the future. Not everyone is meant to be a Soldier

Response by Jennifer Lynn made Dec 8 at 2021 5:55 AM

Jennifer Lynn — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 05:55:05 -0500

Thank you for all of the feedback.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 8 at 2021 8:10 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 08:10:27 -0500

I think there is more to this than we(RP Community) can see. So he enlisted 5 years ago but he is still going through boot camp? This is his second time at boot camp? Was his first time at boot camp cut short due to breathing issues? I would be curious to what transpired during the EPTS meeting because the discharge wasn't pursued until after that meeting. With this being an ongoing situation for 5 years there may be more details we don't know that are at work in this.

I don't know you or your son but I know this situation. The Command is under no requirement to return your emails or calls. Their business is with your Son. The problem is that your Son may not be able to translate to you everything that is happening and may not be able to answer all of your questions. That is most likely a combination of being new to the military, not being a medical professional as you are and honestly he is probably a little embarrassed to what is going on and may not be giving you all of the details. You are still Mom and he may have a hard time telling you everything. I was in the Military a good while and all of those things happened all the time and we would have Angry Moms calling the Command Leadership directly demanding answers. It almost always worsens the situation.

The main difference is that medical retirement and entry level discharges have slightly different standards and criteria they use.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Dec 9 at 2021 1:02 PM

SMSgt Bob W. — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 13:02:25 -0500

Not usually under this circumstance.