What do you do when your entire career and degree was focused on a job you can no longer perform?

2014-11-29T22:54:45-05:00

What do you do when your entire career and degree was focused on a job you can no longer perform? I've been in the AF for 11.5 years. I just recently completed all of my requirements to get my commission as a medical officer in the AF or Army, something I worked towards my entire career. For the past 7 years I've been taking all of my required college courses and last year received my Bachelors degree then earlier this year received my national certification; everything I needed for my commission.

During my third deployment, I started having issues and now can no longer do my job or even walk inside a hospital. So what do I do now? Where do I go from here? I'm in the middle of an MEB but have no idea what to do when I get out. It's something I think about all of the time...it feels like all of the work I did was for nothing. I could definitely use some advice from the amazing people on RP. Thank you in advance.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 29 at 2014 10:58 PM

2014-11-29T22:58:58-05:00

You are NOT alone by any means. It took 20 years to get a masters and I got the MEB at 18.5 years. Nothing is permanent unless we give up and then it stays permanent. Education is never a waste of time. Even if you do get separated, there is federal service and many jobs out there start off at a decent salary for someone with a solid background and a 4 yr degree.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Nov 29 at 2014 11:03 PM

2014-11-29T23:03:12-05:00

TSgt, this is actually something felt by many people when they leave the military, so you are far from alone. I struggled with this myself for a while. The following is what I learned in the process...

1) Think about the elements of what you enjoyed doing, and what you wanted to do... and try to decompose the "job" into what was it that you were actually excited about. In other words, try to separate the job itself with the elements of the job that you liked. This will help you identify those more fundamental aspects of what drives you, and therefore allow you to pursue those in new places. This will require a lot of introspection, but if you are successful, you will be in a much better spiritual place.

2) Understand that nothing you have ever done has been for nothing. While some of the book knowledge you may have learned will not be as relevant, the person you have become has only been possible through many years of hard work. The character, wisdom, and strength you have built is more valuable than any knowledge you gained, and you should not undervalue it.

3) Be open minded to change. Try not to look back on what you cannot change. Do not let it haunt you or to linger. Remember this prayer:

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2014 11:02 PM

2014-11-29T23:02:44-05:00

First of all, TSgt Kristin Parsons, hang in there. I know you can use that drive, work ethic, and perseverance in whatever your future holds. The question I have is this: Can you use that degree in a similar field where you are able to perform the job? I'll bet the answer is yes. And even if the answer is "not sure," you can use your drive, work ethic, perseverance, etc., to work through the problem.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Nov 29 at 2014 11:40 PM

2014-11-29T23:40:46-05:00

TSgt Kristin Parsons I'm curious about what might happen if you work backwards through the issue....not being able to walk inside a hospital. Does that feel like something you could overcome in time? With that being the case, do you even have a desire to stay in the same career? If you don't feel like it's something you could overcome, does the same feeling apply with regard to a clinic vs. a hospital?

I doubt that there's much specific help that I can offer, but those are just a couple of things that come to mind, presented in a way that helps me when I have to work through something....start at the objective and work back to where you currently are. Truth be told, that's a carry-over from the Army, and a proven mission planning method.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Nov 30 at 2014 12:06 AM

2014-11-30T00:06:59-05:00

TSgt Kristin Parsons , just because you are being MEB'd doesn't mean an end to your career. I have been MEB'd twice and returned to duty. Even the docs at the MDG were shocked for the second return.

Response by SSG Leonard J W. made Nov 30 at 2014 12:29 AM

2014-11-30T00:29:06-05:00

TSgt Kristin Parsons,
It's heartbreaking to read your story. I have been in similar situations before with slightly different circumstances. I cannot and would not tell you what to do, so I'm not going to try. However, I will mention that LTC Yinon Weiss has offered some very practical advice. In my personal tough times, I had to remember that everything happens for a reason. There is a silver lining in this cloud - find it. I learned that life has a way of getting our attention. Don't forget what you have learned so far - where you are is no mistake. You are most likely on the verge of something great. Transitions are tough, but anything worth having is worth fighting for. I hope I didn't offend you.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 1:17 AM

2014-11-30T01:17:15-05:00

Nothing is ever done in vain. Constantly striving for something is forward movement. Water cannot be stopped from moving downstream. You can dam it. It will swell in place until it finds release...downstream. Only the sediment carried by the water remains in place. Water always builds as long as there is momentum. You've worked for a reason...for a purpose...there's a dam in the way, but the water will flow if you continue to strive...just in a different direction. Look into medical sales. You'll never have to set foot in a hospital, and you'll do well for you and yours.

Response by TSgt Kristin Parsons made Nov 30 at 2014 1:55 AM

2014-11-30T01:55:39-05:00

This is directed towards one individual that I'm not going to call out...If you're going to vote me down on something, can you at least say why. Your advice is valuable too.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 30 at 2014 5:09 PM

2014-11-30T17:09:45-05:00

Am very sorry to hear about that TSgt Kristin Parsons. Wow, that's a tough one. Another RP member started a very similar thread this morning:

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/i-was-medically-retired-and-had-all-of-my-employment-options-taken-from-me-how-do-i-move-on?page=1&urlhash=347993#347993

I'll say the same here:

1. PMA - positive mental attitude.

2. Never give up. Seek counseling and support wherever you can find it. Here on RP is a great place to start. Its natural to have feelings of anger and frustration so find an outlet - a new hobby, a volunteer project, etc. to channel your feelings - that's what my counselor told me.

3. Educate yourself. Understand what you have, how its treated and not so much your limitations but how to work within the scope of what you have.

4. Keep moving forward, one day at a time. You can do it.

I was medically retired and had all of my employment options taken from me, how do I move on? |...

I was medevac'd from Iraq with Bipolar and was medically retired after 9 1/2 years of service. I have only ever wanted two things in my life; to serve in the Army and to fly as a Warrant Officer. Those were taken from me as soon as the Doctor said Bipolar. My back up plan was to be a Police Officer, again that is a no go. Now I'm completely lost and need help. What's next?

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 30 at 2014 5:42 PM

2014-11-30T17:42:02-05:00

TSgt Kristin Parsons This is a great example of exactly why RP is such an interesting and helpful venue to all walks of military life.

I cannot speak to what you are going through, but I can speak to difficulty, perseverance and determination.

I sincerely hope that you are able to work though to whatever extent you can the difficulties that you are experiencing and can re-enter the career that you seek.

If that becomes too much, know this: You have obtained your education, and that education will open a great many doors and opportunities. Take the Federal Government as one example, there are a great many careers available, that require a degree (most do not specify what the degree is in, just that it is accredited). Also with a degree there are many careers that are medically related, but not "inside" of a hospital or ER. Insurance companies hire people all of the time that have medical/RN type degrees and experience to work claims etc (my ex-wife was hired directly out of an ER by an insurance company to sort through claims/diagnoses/medications/billing etc and has been doing that for the last 10 years).

We talk about this all of the time, sometimes when one door closes, a better door opens. You will be the one who has to walk through it. Also, as several have pointed out, the start of a MEB does not mean the automatic discharge of the SM.

The things I know for sure are that you cannot simply give up, your service cannot be taken away, and your education was earned and is yours to take wherever you choose.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Nov 30 at 2014 6:14 PM

2014-11-30T18:14:55-05:00

I was going to say you can move in with me but you're married so...that would be weird lol.

Good luck out there sister. Keep an open mind, learn something completely new and laugh. Laugh a lot. At everything. LOUDLY too because...well, quiet laughers shorten their lifespan by 23 years. That's science!

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Nov 30 at 2014 6:39 PM

2014-11-30T18:39:12-05:00

It was not a waste of your time. Dont stay in that mindset it is not good. Nothing you do is for nothing. There has to be a way for your degree to transfer to something else that you would like to do. During your MEB process take the time to start researching the VA can help you too they have the Voc rehab program. Hope you are able to figure this out it is a tough process and scary but as long as you have a good support system it will be good.

Response by SPC Heather Bettencourt made Dec 1 at 2014 8:35 AM

2014-12-01T08:35:43-05:00

Tsgt, something similar happened to me. Did 8 years as a mechanic, got my civilian certs, worked for 1 year as a mechanic for a civilian company, and blew out my dominate arm. A whole lot of surgery later, I can no longer mechanic. I took a job as a billing specialist for a has mat company, and found out it is something I enjoy. I am still in the trucking industry, but in a different area. Remeber, you are extremely versatile and learning a new skill is always scary at first. You just have to take the first step!
Best of luck, Tsgt!

Response by SSgt Everett Jones made Dec 2 at 2014 3:34 PM

2014-12-02T15:34:33-05:00

I currently have this problem myself, I am no longer physically capable of doing any job that I had before or am trained in. I am trying to utilize the VA Vocational Rehabilitation training to learn a new job, one that I will be able to do for a good while. Check with your VA office about it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 19 at 2015 5:56 PM

2015-04-19T17:56:48-04:00

I suppose you haven't received your AF and VA ratings? Do you have a bad case of PTSD?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 21 at 2015 5:52 PM

2015-04-21T17:52:46-04:00

You find out what doors your degree will open. Course of action A is gone.