I'm receiving a 5-17 chapter for back pain but my unit is forcing me to take a Acft, what do I do?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 21:28:47 -0400

I'm being medically chaptered for a trigger point in my back that medication and treatment hasn't helped. My provider told me he won't extend my profile as nothing else has helped me.
My unit is tracking my situation and has initiated the chapter process but since I don't have a profile in dtms they are forcing me to do an acft even though they know I will fail.
Is there anything I can do?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2021 9:33 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 21:33:59 -0400

Yes, you can take the ACFT and fail it.
It's a practice test until March 2022.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Aug 26 at 2021 10:09 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 22:09:26 -0400

It doesn't matter if you don't pass. They just need to put in DTMS that people are taking it. They aren't even showing scores in DTMS, as far as I've been told. It just shows that you took one.

So do what you can do. If you can't do something, oh well. It 100% doesn't matter if you pass or fail at this point. It's all just gathering information.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 27 at 2021 9:44 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 09:44:37 -0400

Unless you are on profile, light duty, limited duty or some other form of restricted duty due to being injured, ill, etc you are considered healthy enough to perform daily tasks. Yes, they can make you go. If you have medical issues that restrict you there should be a profile and I have some concern/suspicion if you are medically unfit yet medical won't push for a profile or MEB. That's just odd to me.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2021 10:04 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 10:04:39 -0400

Thank you all for your comments, I took the ACFT to the best of my ability, unfortunately I attempted the leg tuck and was unable to complete it due to overwhelming pain.
As stated by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff and SGM Private RallyPoint Member this is only a diagnostic for the army to say I've done one.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Aug 27 at 2021 4:02 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 16:02:32 -0400

Do the AFCT, but only to the limits you set for yourself so you do not aggravate whatever the condition is that you have. You should also be consulting with the VA to get a rating before you get out which provides far better educational benefits than the GI Bill. One of my sons was seriously injured on both his last two tours, and back surgery made it worse. His VA Rating got him FULL tuition, books AND quarters allowance and the equivelent of his pay as a SSG.
With enough credits for an Associates through the Army, he went into a university as a Junior and graduated with both a BS and an MBA in 3 years time. He now works for U.S. Treasury as a Bank Examiner. So the VA Rating NOW, is something you should look into!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2021 7:05 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 19:05:21 -0400

Sounds like you need to get JAG involved at this point. If you are injured, that just sounds like the way to go. Good Luck