What channel or personnel should I contact or go through to get an MEB or chaptered out of the Army?

2020-03-02T19:54:24-05:00

I have an embarrassing medical condition (Large bleeding internal hemorrhoids). I have been so ashamed of the condition so long that I have been paying out cash to get it resolved on my own, with total expenses >$5000. I went in once to our clinic to get in contact with provider, but during the examination one of the medics in my company laughed after reading the SOAP notes I couldn't go through with it. Now that I am married and I have a dependent to take care of I no longer have the proper cash on hand. I need to take care of this condition preferably on my own due to the severe blood loss from it during field exercises (MREs). What channel or personnel should I contact or go through to get MEB or Chaptered out of the Army?

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 2 at 2020 9:09 PM

2020-03-02T21:09:50-05:00

Go to your MTF hospital ER and tell them you are bleeding out your ass. Take pics of tissues at home. Look up HIPAA complaints. Getting out without getting proper care is simply ignorant. Get seen and get this taken care of.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 9:23 PM

2020-03-02T21:23:48-05:00

SPC Liu, you are surely not the only one with a condition like this. I have heard of it, and from what I know is that if you seek the proper medical attention at the MTFs, they will refer you to Gastro and refer you for the outpatient procedure to take care of them.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Mar 2 at 2020 9:37 PM

2020-03-02T21:37:01-05:00

When I was a company clerk, we had a SSG who had surgery for his hemorrhoids at a military hospital and recovered at home. I knew about it because of the DA From 1. No one else in the unit outside of Top and the Commander knew about it. We kept it to ourselves and no one ever discussed it. He returned to duty after around 4 weeks. He was still serving when I ETS'd. There is no reason this should be an embarrassment, should cost you inordinate sums of money or cause you to leave the military unless that is your preference.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2020 1:12 AM

2020-03-03T01:12:07-05:00

That's actually a fairly common MEB reason. Start by actually going to your PCM who is the person responsible for initiating the MEB

Response by SSG Brian G. made Mar 3 at 2020 1:46 AM

2020-03-03T01:46:59-05:00

Ok, first off. Fuck that Shit. Hemorrhoids are nothing to be ashamed of. I had them as a young SGT. If you had a medic that laughed at you for having them? That unprofessional SOB needs to be counseled and should be standing tall in front of your 1SG. Get them seen to, do not pay out of pocket to have it done. You are serving, have served honorably and this is something that happened while in service. The military should make this right.

Yeah, the damned things are embarrassing but they can kill you just as dead as if you had a heart attack or got shot. Do not screw around with them. Get the surgery, take the profile and recover from it. No reason to get out on account of them. No reason at all.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Mar 3 at 2020 6:26 AM

2020-03-03T06:26:08-05:00

Re: '...during the examination one of the medics in my company laughed after reading the SOAP notes I couldn't go through with it'...that was absolutely unprofessional of that medic to react like that. I hope you reported that incident to your command and the medical command. Medical issues are nothing to be laughed at. I hope you get the help that you need and/or the chapter that you want.