Injured in basic training. What should I do?

2018-07-02T00:23:10-04:00

So I was injured in basic training and they were medically chaptering me out but battalion kicked my packet back when I got to the last step and made me go on con-leave. I’m pretty much over being in as I was treated like absolut dog shit once I got injured. Anyway I’m nearing the end of it and I’m still in pain and can’t run, jump, or even walk long distances and now I’m having panic attacks about going back and then pulling some bullshit and try to keep me in or something like that. I can’t do this and I can’t leave my wife for that long again. The military has been the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. I need some advice guys because the panic attacks and depression are getting pretty bad. What should I do?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2018 12:42 AM

2018-07-02T00:42:39-04:00

15 days ago you asked a question in regards to improving your push-up event for the APFT in an attempt to better yourself for your return to training. Two weeks later and now the military is the biggest mistake you ever made? Believe me, you will spend much longer periods of time away from your family. You’re NG, so you probably won’t get treated harshly at all. Lastly, if you’re getting panic attacks over simply returning to basic then I honestly wouldn’t want you in a squad in any Sapper Company. To put it rather bluntly, just med board and get out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2018 1:15 AM

2018-07-02T01:15:16-04:00

If you didn't notice, everyone gets treated like dog shit in basic. There is purpose behind it.
1) To make you appreciate not being treated like dog shit once you are beyond basic.
2) To test your mental fortitude.

If you are not medically fit, you are not worth keeping in because the Army won't have any use for you. The Army will keep you in long enough to med board.

You claim the military is the biggest mistake you have ever made. It is true the military is not for everyone. You were away from your wife for 3 months of basic. If you thought that was bad, what were you imagining if you got deployed? A typical deployment lasts 9 months or longer. Regardless of whether you stay in or get out of the military, use this as a life lesson. Next time you make a big life-altering decision you might want to put some research into what you are getting into first.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Jul 2 at 2018 1:39 AM

2018-07-02T01:39:59-04:00

Ok, look, I know the panic attacks feel bad right now, but I used to get them before a board and now before having to go to court for my job. Once I got before the board my mind settled down and I took care of business. The same thing happens as soon as I get to the court house. Report back to your unit when you're supposed to and you may find that once you get there your nerves will settle down. You'll have to let the medical staff take care of your medical issues and no one here can say what will happen. Whatever you choose to do, DO NOT make the wrong of choice of just not showing up. Being an adult means doing the hard right over the easy wrong. Good luck.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2018 1:43 AM

2018-07-02T01:43:58-04:00

Tough it out. Seriously, finish basic training. You will look back and be glad you did

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2018 2:00 AM

2018-07-02T02:00:45-04:00

PVT Private RallyPoint Member - ok. Please put into context. First, I understand that there is nothing lower in the Army than an injured Basic Trainee. Believe me, I know. Shit happens. You got hurt at your job, and you were probably sent to a hold over company (FTC) with one mission. Heal. Yes, they yell at you. Yes, they probably have you on ridiculous details. But medical appointments take priority.

You’re getting paid to heal. At home. And if you go back to work, and they say your injury is just too much, you’ll be separated with an honorable discharge and a nice little perk package on your way way out.

But only a handful of weeks ago, you were asking advice about how to improve your APFT. Assuming your con leave was 30 days, this deep dark depression and panic attacks have sunken in to the point where it’s now the worst decision you’ve ever made? If that’s even true, it would appear that soldiering isn’t for you. If it isn’t true, and you’re trying to game the system somehow, soldiering still isn’t for you.

You were away from your wife for a few weeks, months? I know the Army can be a shock but Private, that isn’t a long time. The best advice is as follows. Bear down, return to your unit when con leave is over. Follow all instructions as issued by medical staff. If they say return to training, great. If not, great.

Wait until you’ve been in for a few years and you’re still treated like dog shit.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2018 4:45 AM

2018-07-02T04:45:56-04:00

Basic training today isn’t how it used to be. If you think it is tough now, imagine how it was years ago. The simple truth is that it isn’t for everybody, and it’s more mental, than physical. Think about what drove you to enlist in the first place, and use that to motivate you to keep pushing.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jul 2 at 2018 11:05 AM

2018-07-02T11:05:23-04:00

So basically you have come to the conclusion that the army is hard? No shit! You're worried about being away from your wife? Most of us have a divorce or two under our belts. If I remember correctly, you're national guard. You only have to finish basic and AIT then you can go home. Listen, you've found out that the army isn't for you. Just suck it up for the remainder of your contract and leave once it's done. You might be medboarded when you get back anyways. I will advise against failing to return to basic training. If you do that a warrant for your arrest will be issued and the next time you get pulled over for speeding, you will be arrested, sent to your unit and then be dishonorably discharged. You will have a black mark on your record, which will make employment, especially government employment, difficult. Go back and see this through to the end.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 2 at 2018 10:33 PM

2018-07-02T22:33:31-04:00

You can't do much tell you get back. Check in with the Hospital, tell them your story and tell them you need to ego home to the wife.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2018 8:34 AM

2018-07-03T08:34:24-04:00

Panic attacks that the Army might try to keep you in for the 8 years you signed up for?
Dude.
I just can't sometimes.
Here's the deal. You got injured, got a profile, and can't perform the APFT events, a TRADOC requirement for passing BCT. They went so far as to send you home on ConLeave to recover and give it another go. I don't know what your injuries are that it would affect you this long, but the Army seemed to think that you'd recover in 30 days or you would have been chaptered right then and there. If you go back to Basic and still can't perform, they WILL chapter you out.

I know this might seem like a lot to you right now, but trust me on this: living the life gets a lot harder than BCT, where they give you three square meals a day, all of your clothes, a place to sleep, and direction on what to do every day. Once you graduate, you'll be expected to do your job, in the heat, cold, wind, rain, or dust with an enemy nearby that wants you dead. Your wife will have no idea when you might come home, if at all, and neither will you.
If it is an anxiety and depression-inducing experience now, be thankful that you discovered that the Army wasn't for you while in training instead of a couple years from now.

I wish you luck, and a speedy recovery. Get your medical and mental health issues documented and addressed so that they do not persist any longer than they should take to resolve.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2018 9:39 AM

2018-07-03T09:39:09-04:00

Hey i went through some pretty similar shit in basic and i got recycled 3 times. In total i spent 10 months in fort benning for infantry osut. Sometimes you just gotta suck it up and dont quit. dont get med boarded because then you'll regret it your entire life. If you need to reenlist then do it, but just remember, all of it is a game. Just play the game. Just think about the pride you'll have walking across that parade field.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Jul 3 at 2018 11:06 AM

2018-07-03T11:06:24-04:00

Justin, go back and ask to see your commander. Tell him that you would like a chapter for failure to adapt. Tell him that you will not take no for an answer. I bet you can be out pretty quick after that and back to mama. However, as you go clear, don't ask for any disability. For not fulfilling your obligation, do not expect anything in return. Have a nice life full of regret.

Response by SFC James Corona made Jun 18 at 2021 1:42 PM

2021-06-18T13:42:50-04:00

Most of your available options now are " it depends".

You may be eligible for VA disabled $ benefits with a good attorney after discharge. The VA Rating depends on severity if service connected injury.
VERY IMPORTANT! MAKE COPIES OF ALL MEDICAL RECORDS! Register your DD 214 at your hometown local County Courthouse and get free copy when you need it.

You may be eligible to return into Army BCT "later" with a medical waiver if you still wished to return.

None of above is solid 100% YES!