Boy does life throw ya some curve balls!

[Fergie]

So I have been planning on a career in the Army as an officer since my junior year of HS. Got a four year scholarship, entered the program here at 260lbs and couldnt get over a 150 on the PT test. Got my weight down to 190 and PT score up to 280. Went to Airborne and I have done everything the Army has every thrown at me.

Fast forward to two days ago. I head to Ft. Lewis for LDac, which is the last training event before commissioning. I was suppossed to be there for a month, and then come home and get married. Well, the on the second day, which consisted of physicals and such, I get permanently disqualified from the military for a dislocated shoulder.

What does the doc say? " What if you are some third world country and are attacked and your shoulder pops out?" Do you really think that is going to happen you dicknose direct commission?

So now I am home and Iget to rethink what is going to happen for the rest of my life. What a pisser that some dumbass Cadet, who doesnt know his asshole from his elbow, is going to be commissioned, and becuase of an injury that happened two years ago, I get the boot.

Sorry for the rant, but man....what a XXXXin pisser. Oh well, guess I get to follow my wife to be around instead of her following me.

Fergie

[Glenn B]

Damn man, that sucks. No doubt.

Glenn

[Safari Ary]

Not that you'd want it, but they wouldn't even give you a paperwork job?! Sorry for your fortune, it truly sucks when a plan doesn't pan out.

Ary

[RichP]

I don't understand, what does a dislocated shoulder from years back have to do with it ??? And as for a permanent disqualification that does not track. I'd go check out some of the other services, living is much better in the Navy and AF anyway, specially for married people, the Navy at least has good housing, predictable scheduling somewhat even if deployments can be long, don't remember seeing AF housing. Either way the worlds not over....

[Glenn B]

Not that you'd want it, but they wouldn't even give you a paperwork job?! Sorry for your fortune, it truly sucks when a plan doesn't pan out.

Ary
The Military does not work that way. Sometimes I wish it did.... I would have retired earlier this year.
Glenn

[Fergie]

I don't understand, what does a dislocated shoulder from years back have to do with it ??? And as for a permanent disqualification that does not track. I'd go check out some of the other services, living is much better in the Navy and AF anyway, specially for married people, the Navy at least has good housing, predictable scheduling somewhat even if deployments can be long, don't remember seeing AF housing. Either way the worlds not over....
Yeah, some of things arent quite right with me. I know it aint the world, and I plan to fight tooth and nail for this. I worked my ass off too damn hard to have some direct commission bitch take it away.

The Cadre here is working on things here, and after the call I received a few minutes ago, it sounds like things might work out.

I guess my brother is on the warpath right now. His new position is on the some General's staff, so he is trying everything possible to make sure that I dont get screwed.

I'll let ya guys know if it works out or not. Sure makes ya re-evaluate some things in life when there is the possibility of having your dreams taken away.

Fergie

[Eagle]

If it's not too late, talk to someone. Lots of someones.

Back during the Vietnam era, I received a draft notice immediately after graduating from college. My back had been messed up in a car accident when I was 14, so I took the reports to the draft board physical expecting to get 4-F'd. Didn't happen -- the examining physician was going to give me a 4-F but the supervisor happened to look over his shoulder. Supervisor's comment was "If he was healthy enough to walk in here, he's healthy enough to go to Vietnam."

So in an effort to avoid being drafted as a grunt, I tried to enlist in Officer Candidate School. Had to go in for another physical. This time they said the old back injury was a disqualifier. Like an idiot, instead of using that to go back and avoid being drafted, I went the other way and argued that officers don't usually carry as much gear as grunts, so if the back was okay to be an infantryman it should be okay for an officer.

They took me. What took place later is a story for another day.

[Fergie]

If it's not too late, talk to someone. Lots of someones.

Back during the Vietnam era, I received a draft notice immediately after graduating from college. My back had been messed up in a car accident when I was 14, so I took the reports to the draft board physical expecting to get 4-F'd. Didn't happen -- the examining physician was going to give me a 4-F but the supervisor happened to look over his shoulder. Supervisor's comment was "If he was healthy enough to walk in here, he's healthy enough to go to Vietnam."

So in an effort to avoid being drafted as a grunt, I tried to enlist in Officer Candidate School. Had to go in for another physical. This time they said the old back injury was a disqualifier. Like an idiot, instead of using that to go back and avoid being drafted, I went the other way and argued that officers don't usually carry as much gear as grunts, so if the back was okay to be an infantryman it should be okay for an officer.

They took me. What took place later is a story for another day.
Well, what I have against me is that the Cadet Command Surgeon was sitting as head of the Medical Waiver Review Board, and his word is final. The "final" part of his decison is being debated right now.

What I have going for me is that I have a bunch of people fighting for me, and some of my Cadre members are calling in old favors from some big brass. What is better is that the Commanding General of Cadet Command thinks very highly of the PMS here at NAU.

I also have the fact that I went through Airborne last summer without a problem.

If all else fails, I did a Color Guard for President Bush last year, and for our local Senator. I will start writing letters to the both of them. I am not about to give up and will use every option I can to stay in, and become an officer.

Fergie

PS- I know some of you here are old Cav guys. I met some really awesome soldiers from the newly returned 2nd ACR this last week. I am glad that we have them on our side!

[Danno]

Eagle, you sound like my friend "John". He was about to be drafted and it pissed him off so he went and joined "just to show the sorry SOBs". I'm NOT making this up! He DID make it out of VietNam alive and with only 5 purple hearts.

[Glenn B]

PS- I know some of you here are old Cav guys. I met some really awesome soldiers from the newly returned 2nd ACR this last week. I am glad that we have them on our side!
Yes, the 2d ACR is a damned fine unit. Best I ever served with.
Glenn

PS: don't make too many waves, just enough to get more consideration. Just my opinion.

[FitchVA]

man that sucks. sorry to hear the bad news.

my brother went through a somewhat similar ordeal a few years ago. he went into the acadamy to become a state trooper. finished top 5 in books and physical training. but failed his final physical because of a slight high-pitched ringing in his left ear (from years of shooting/hunting w/out ear protection). the doc (new and out to make a name as a tough ass) said he wasn't fit for duty. wtf? meanwhile, we have 300+lb fatasses that need a bra cause they're so fat riding around "protecting" us. the world's a f'ed up place sometimes.

[2offroad]

and people wonder why the alot of good ones don't serve.

[ladywolf]

fergie, believe me i feel your pain, man;)
i hope you do get your commission, we need more occifers like you, with common sense:D
some of the cav guys are good, some arent so bright, so they leave it to us aviation folk to fix stuff;)
hope everything turns out alright man

[8Mud]

Things could be worse, you could have been accepted by the State Department. Officers spend a third of there day, E-mailing lies to each other, the next third studying the regs. to milk the system of every dime possible, the last third of the day, planning stratigy to advance there carriers. And about five minutes a day, brow beating the troops, about what usless, non-productive employees they are. :doh:

[GI-John]

Coming from an Ex Army Recruiter

Almost anything can be waived!

Don't quit now, ask for another review, have all PT Tests available, and special schools, etc. If you are into sports, or on any teams, have a few "influential" people write statements as to your phpysical fitness and stamina.

I'm very suprised that you passed your Airborne Physical, but not entrance physical.

Good Luck

John

[Fergie]

Coming from an Ex Army Recruiter

Almost anything can be waived!

Don't quit now, ask for another review, have all PT Tests available, and special schools, etc. If you are into sports, or on any teams, have a few "influential" people write statements as to your phpysical fitness and stamina.

I'm very suprised that you passed your Airborne Physical, but not entrance physical.

Good Luck

John

Well, my father in law just told me that one of the guys in his golf foursome is the former Post Commander of Ft. Huachuca. He is a 4 star, and my father in law has asked him to write a letter for me.

Also, a good family friend of ours is ex-Army and a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and he has said he will also write a letter for me.

The thing that gets me is that I was able to get my color blindness waived for Airborne, so I don't understand this whole ordeal.

I just wish I had some more news right now, but I guess no news is good news. And thanks for the encouragement, it helps more than you think.

Fergie

[woody]

If an Army Commission is your goal, keep after it with all your might. I'm truly surprised that a minor past injury would DQ you, especially if it was before Parachute School.

I'm glad to hear you have some ace cards in play.

Damn the dirty nasty legs.

Woody

[Yucca-Man]

What does the doc say? " What if you are some third world country and are attacked and your shoulder pops out?"Yeah, it could happen; it could happen to anyone. The only proper answer is "Attempt to reset it and carry on the mission, regardless of the shoulder's status." Good luck to you; in this day when we've got kids all over the country joining up just for the GI Bill bennies and then whining about getting deployed it's good to hear someone who's fighting to join.

[Fergie]

Yeah, it could happen; it could happen to anyone. The only proper answer is "Attempt to reset it and carry on the mission, regardless of the shoulder's status." Good luck to you; in this day when we've got kids all over the country joining up just for the GI Bill bennies and then whining about getting deployed it's good to hear someone who's fighting to join.
It has never been about money for me. It has been how the military has helped make me a better person in so many ways, and it has been about giving something back to this country. Serving 20yrs or however long I do serve is nothing for a lifetime of freedom. Service is just something I have to do in this life.

Fergie

[Darky]

Hey, that doc didn't know what he was talking bout. I separated my shoulder while in and I got a week of light duty and it still hurts a little (over a year later) but it stops nothing. I'm on full duty, I just can't do underhanded pull-ups, which suck for people with arms as long as mine are anyways, so I just do my pullups overhanded. Makes ya stronger anyway. I'm active duty Marine Corps so you'd think they would be just as worried about shoulder injuries.

[Yucca-Man]

BlackSport - lemme guess? Doc gave you 800mg Motrin and sent you on your way? :cheers: The funny thing is - that works. What's your MOS? I was 6521 Aviation Ordnance for almost 12 years..

[8Mud]

I did my last 8 years with 30% articulation in my left ankle. Had to change MOS, to something other than combat arms. Ended up as a turret tech and fire control specialist. Even gave me my own transportation, we called maintenance 1, an M-1 Abrams of my very own. So much for the combat arms restriction. Just had to learn to hide a little better, running away, was pretty much a no go.

[Fergie]

Got some good news this weekend. The former General my father-in-law golfs with is writing up a letter for me, and he will send it up the line. And by up the line, I mean to his son. His son is the Secretary of the Army for AZ, and he will be passing it up to his boss.... the Secretary of the Army for the US!!!

Man I hope this works out!

Fergie

[RichP]

Don't ever get in the sights of that doc who shafted you....

[Fergie]

Don't ever get in the sights of that doc who shafted you....
You can bet I'll never see him if I ever go to Madigan MC again! Hopefully this latest try will be the one that gets results.

If not, my wife to be wants to go to school for her PhD in CO, and Ihear they are always looking for Construction Managers.

Fergie