How does medical separation from basic training work?

SFC Broc Haskamp — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:16:32 -0400

My son is in the National Guard and currently at basic training. A week and a half ago I got a 2 minute phone call from him and he said he was getting a medical discharge and not a whole lot of other information because of bad phone reception and I haven’t heard from him since. Will my son continue to train while this process is taking place? How long will it take before I hear something on if the discharge goes through or not. Thanks

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Sep 30 at 2019 7:24 PM

1SG Frank Boynton — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:24:15 -0400

If your son has already been informed that he’s being medically discharges, he will not continue to train. He will most likely stay with his unit until he’s processed out but will do barracks watch and other details within the limits of his profile. I’m surprised that it’s been two weeks and you haven’t heard from him. You might want to contact his units first sergeant for more information. The discharge would be under the Trainee Discharge Program (TDP) if they still call it that. If he’s been told by medical than it shouldn’t take more than a month for the entire process. However that was how it worked when I was a drill.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Sep 30 at 2019 7:42 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:42:55 -0400

Apparently during your son's training they found a medical condition that may preclude him from serving. If the medical folks find the condition makes him incompatible with further service, he will be discharged. The process is thorough and involves not only general practitioners, but specialists in the area they have found the problem. Once he has undergone all the tests, the medical folks will come up with a prognosis and determine his fitness for further service.
You must understand, their decision will be based upon not only his current condition, but whether he can serve in environments where specialists in his problem may not be readily available. If his problem is aggravated by conditions under which he is serving and there is no treatment available, not only his condition is a problem, but caring for him until transportation is available to send him to a treatment center that can properly care for him becomes a priority for persons who would normally be concentrating on other things. There are many conditions that are of little concern to a civilian that can disqualify a person from serving in remote areas.
There is no shame associated with his current circumstance, and as I said, many conditions that are considered routine for a civilian are a potential problem in the military. Don't lose any sleep over it (easy for me to say!), he is being well cared for and will not be forced to do anything that will harm him.
On the other hand, if the medical folks have found it not to be a problem, he may not have had the opportunity to contact you because he is back in the training cycle, or, as young people are prone to do, it's over in his mind and he doesn't realize you are home worrying about him. If that is the case, you have my permission to render some corporal punishment at your earliest opportunity.

Response by SFC Broc Haskamp made Sep 30 at 2019 7:44 PM

SFC Broc Haskamp — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:44:14 -0400

I was able to call the battalion number that was on their Facebook page. I didn’t get a lot of information other that it can take a long time for the process with multiple trips to see the doc and the med board may not even grant it. That’s why I’m wondering it he’s still training in case that happens. All I’d really like is a phone call from home to let me know what’s going on so I know what to do with the reservation I made for his graduation.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Sep 30 at 2019 9:02 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 21:02:15 -0400

If they keep you in the dark...I would contact Congress... and JAG.. Watch out for the label of "Adjustment Disorder" psych diagnosis. If an injury.. make sure you have and keep copies of all medical docs and be ready to file any appeals or claims... be proactive now... I have heard to many Sad Sack stories of those Vets or SM who weren't.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2019 9:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 21:25:34 -0400

Have you contacted your son's guard unit? They will have more info, and if not will be able to use the Guard liason at the Basic Training post to find out.

Response by COL David Turk made Sep 30 at 2019 10:47 PM

COL David Turk — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 22:47:20 -0400

I’m reluctant to give this suggestion, because it usually doesn’t go over well at the unit level. But if you’ve exhausted all of the other good suggestions given by others on this site, this action almost always works.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2019 8:10 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 08:10:40 -0400

USMC sent pending discharges to Casual Company, so maybe something similar.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2019 4:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 16:05:23 -0400

So it depends if his injury is an Existing Prior To Service (EPTS) or a new one that he got during training. If it is EPTS it is normally a fairly quick turn around of between 2-4 weeks (that's what we see here anyway). If it is something that happened during training the Army is going to make sure that he is fixed and good to go before he is discharged. It is unfortunate thing but it does happen. As for the information it is normal that you will not get much from people over the phone as they cannot give the status of trainees out as we cannot confirm who you are, and if they give you the information then we would have to give it to all of the trainees parents, guardians etc. Best bet stand by for more information via the good old snail mail or that phone call he will get at some point here as soon as he gets told when he will be released from service.

As for the training part. No once he has been identified as EPTS or his profile is to the point he is being medically chaptered he will no longer train. He will do random details within the limits of his profile (cut grass, CQ runner etc). He will still wear his uniform and get his 3 hots and a cot and his pay due. If you want more info or anything please feel free to shoot me an email