Posted on 08/19/2004 12:46:07 PM PDT by brothers4thID
I need the help of my fellow Freepers. Younger brother is a PFC fresh out of IET at Benning. Two weeks into AIT he comes down with a ruptured heel spur and gets a non-duty medical profile. Doctor wants to muster him out with a "pre-existing condition" discharge with no record of time served and no benefits, but the kid is mad for the Army and wants to stay in. His current MOS is straight infantry (don't ask me why!). He would like to transfer to an MOS that doesn't require 40 mile road marches in full gear which obviously isn't good for his foot right now.
He literally maxed the ASVAB- highest language skills seen in the Atlanta area testing office. We're Army brats born and raised over seas so he has a working knowledge of German. He has a 160 something IQ and is smart as a whip- and ALL he wants to do is be a soldier.
Advice? How do we get an MOS reclassification started? What are his chances of staying in? Can anyone help?
I suggest you ask your brother or father.
There are lots of jobs that are not as physically demanding as infantry. But generally, if classified as physically unfit to serve, he is unfit for all MOSs. There is no 'unfit for infantry' medical classification. If he wants to stay in, he is going to have to fight that classification long before he has to worry about switching MOS.
Thanks. Dad and brother are working on it but I want to do what I can to help as well.
As far as I know he hasn't been officially classified as unfit for infantry duty. I just hope we can help him out. The Army needs guys who want to be there!
Exerpt:***
Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) The medical treatment facility (MTF such as Darnall Army Community Hospital) initiates a MEB under the provisions of AR 40-400, chapter 7, when a soldier has received maximum benefit of medical care for a condition which may render the soldier unfit for further military service. ***
Just a thought here. Have they done all they can to correct this problem? If not, perhaps he has a chance.
Lots of good information here. Maybe you can find a loophole.
Sorry brother, but medically unfit to serve is a reality. Life & limb can't be risked by the majority for the sake of the minority. As for IQ's, send him to college... the average IQ in the service is still under 120 and falling. It peaked during Vietnam when we had conscription. Without conscription we don't get a cross section of the gene pool... hope the boy heals up fast(unlikely, I've got a bro out on disability with the P.O., same condition for 15 years). Good luck with whatever comes.
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