Is medboarding worth it?

SGT(P) Daniel McBride — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 05:34:51 -0400

I'm curious to see if I should take a medboard. I'm very proud of my military service and would love to stay in but it seems that's not gonna happen. Before there are any negative responses...I'm not a profile rider or anything of that sort. I would prefer to hear from people who are either currently in the process or those who have done it. Thank you!

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Sep 6 at 2016 6:56 AM

TSgt Joe C. — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 06:56:15 -0400

I was MEBd back in 2008 after I was DQ'd from going to Osan AB. It was a rough 3-4 months for me not knowing if I was going to be staying in or not. There was help along the way as well. They came back with a decision to not medically retire me at that point. I've been doing well since..even made it to Korea. I wish you the very best of luck SGT(P) Daniel McBride!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 6 at 2016 7:08 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 07:08:54 -0400

I got med boarded at 18.5 years and went kicking and screaming. Then again, at 30 years I would have gone kicking and screaming. Prepare yourself. We seldom get the exact results we want and the military is a cold hearted master.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2016 7:56 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 07:56:09 -0400

SGT McBride, You must make that decision for yourself...Not knowing your exact medical related problems. I could not give you sound advice as to your particular situation. Ask yourself this, Can I deal with my issues? Are they more severe than I am making them out to be? Having been in both Combat Arms Units and Combat Support Units I can tell you that the Leaders deal with it differently. For example an Infantryman may deal with his chronic knee pain on his own for years, not knowing that he is doing more damage than good then ends up with torn ACL or worse...I know b/c when I was in Armor and Infantry Units...Nobody I mean Nobody EVER gone on SICKCALL...if you did the unit would give you crap over it and called you weak or worse....the stigma around mental health was even worse...especially prior to 1996 (HIPPA)...I would look at this differently...the med board is for you...the process is cumbersome, but in the end you end up with some compensation...but like SFC Merino elluded to don't expect a lot....much depends on what type of problems you have...I didn't seek a med board...I submitted a claim through the VA after I retired...31 years can beat you up pretty good and I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome. Another way of looking at it you want to as healthy as possible when you separate so you dont limit yourself as to your second career...ok enough of my banter...Good Luck !!!

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 6 at 2016 8:40 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 08:40:10 -0400

SGT(P) Daniel McBride "Is medboarding worth it?"
Your question confuses me, as I've never seen the question of to or not to MED Board a SM left to the SM.
If you have a P3 permanent profile and are unable to perform the tasks and duties of your MOS, your going to be MED BOARDED, that decision is not your to make.

What options do you understand you have to choose from? that leads you to ask "Is medboarding worth it?" IOW "it"vs what? what other options do you think you're offered to choose from?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2016 12:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 12:18:55 -0400

If you are going to be going through the Med board process it would be in your best interest to go through it and not fight to stay in. What I mean is, if you go unto the process saying that whatever ailments you have aren't so bad, you could end up getting less compensation. You are getting out regardless so don't minimize your ailments. Not saying you should lie, but that bad back "really hurts and seriously affects your quality of life"

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 6 at 2016 2:32 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 14:32:38 -0400

Now I haven't done it, but I've known a couple who have done it. One thing I do know is that the process is long. I knew one Marine who basically stayed in like a year or so past his EAS date waiting for the process to finish. Because of this, he was scrutinized even more and even lost some rank before getting out. Spent his whole contract, no trouble, no issues, but once the med board happened, they were trying to find ways to get rid of him.

On the flip side, I knew another Marine who got med board, got a full medical retirement, signed letter from the President, the whole package. So if you go med board, yes it could be worth it, but make sure to keep your nose clean. Be patient and don't let it frustrate you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2017 10:18 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 22:18:27 -0500

You can ask to switch mos and you can also go reserves it depends on your injuries that you are medboarding for but if you have 18 or more years they allowed you to complete your time in the reserve til retirement

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 6:08 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 06:08:09 -0400

Mine was in the summer of '93. I'm not understanding all this talk of extended wait times. My only AFI time was a couple of weeks waiting for the discharge orders to come back. When my profile knee went sideways and my Chief tripped over me, it was a couple of months and I was out, and starting to learn how to deal with the VA