SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member 4179426 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Hello all RP members. I haven&#39;t been on here in a while so excuse my absence. But I&#39;m looking for guidance and mentorship now, yet again. Some information has recently come forward about my future in the Army and it&#39;s not looking good for me. I was called last Friday by my PA that she was going to initiate a Chapter 5-17 on my behalf. Reason being was that my chronic pain isn&#39;t something that makes me eligible for an MEB but also won&#39;t allow me to continue serving. According to her and the MRI images, there is no significant structural damage within my knees but they did discover degenerative disorder within my knee (basically beginning stages or arthritis.) I&#39;m currently a 68W and have been in for almost 5 years. I would love to continue my service and finish my reenlistment obligation but I&#39;m not sure if it&#39;s possible. What should my next course of action be? I&#39;m going to attempt to speak with the PA as well as the commander to see if I can continue. But is there anyway a 5-17 can turn into an MEB or even MMRB? Thanks everyone for your service. Serving to heal. Drive on. Ai-ee-yah 2018-12-03T12:32:36-05:00 SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member 4179426

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Hello all RP members. I haven&#39;t been on here in a while so excuse my absence. But I&#39;m looking for guidance and mentorship now, yet again. Some information has recently come forward about my future in the Army and it&#39;s not looking good for me. I was called last Friday by my PA that she was going to initiate a Chapter 5-17 on my behalf. Reason being was that my chronic pain isn&#39;t something that makes me eligible for an MEB but also won&#39;t allow me to continue serving. According to her and the MRI images, there is no significant structural damage within my knees but they did discover degenerative disorder within my knee (basically beginning stages or arthritis.) I&#39;m currently a 68W and have been in for almost 5 years. I would love to continue my service and finish my reenlistment obligation but I&#39;m not sure if it&#39;s possible. What should my next course of action be? I&#39;m going to attempt to speak with the PA as well as the commander to see if I can continue. But is there anyway a 5-17 can turn into an MEB or even MMRB? Thanks everyone for your service. Serving to heal. Drive on. Ai-ee-yah

2018-12-03T12:32:36-05:00 2018-12-03T12:32:36-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 4179685

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As your PA said, you don&#39;t qualify for an MEB so, no it won&#39;t turn into an MEB. MMRB is gone and replaced by MAR2. The only way to initiate that is the same way the MEB is iniated - P3 profile that recommends MAR2.<br />The problem is that you&#39;re basically saying that you can&#39;t serve at all, not that your physical restrictions prevent you from performing in your MOS. If you were still able to serve, wear body armor and deploy, you would be eligible for a MAR2

2018-12-03T14:18:03-05:00 2018-12-03T14:18:03-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 4180453

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Good evening SPC, how are you doing today? Read very carefully.....First and foremost, do not let your PA or anyone initiate that chapter 5-17....... Second, you don&#39;t want almost 5 years of your precious life to be wasted in vain for something that was over 90% caused by the Army. Sounds like your situation requires a MEB instead of chapter 5-17. But according to AR 635-200 chapter 5-17<br /><br />b. When a commander determines that a Soldier has a physical or mental condition that potentially interferes with<br />assignment to or performance of duty, the commander will refer the Soldier for a medical examination and/or mental<br />status evaluation in accordance with AR 40–501 which is standard of medical fitness to determine if you fit to either serve or continue to serve. I think you should read AR 40- 501 chapter 3 3-13 lower extremities until you find knees and read 3-14 also...... The big questions for you are: 1. Are you on no run profile for knees? 2. If so, what type and severity ie Temp/Permanent 1,2,3,4? 3. Do you have any physical limitations for total Soldier block or part on profile that ask if you can do certain Soldier tasks for example Can carry 40lbs duffel bag with gear 100 yards, wear full battle rattle, etc etc 4. Are you on any type of medication for the knees? 5. Do you have a certain range you are able to move your knees? The reason I&#39;m asking some of these questions will determine if a MEB/PEB will be initiated. The way to initiate a MEB/PEB, is to get a P3 profile for knees. But as far as retaining you, I don&#39;t see why not if you want to continue to serve. The Army only cares about 3 things: Pass apft run or walk, weapons qualification and being deployable. If you can do all those, then you are good. Just a reminder, you don&#39;t want 5 years of your life to go to waste with a 5-17 chapter, at least go for MEB for possible medical retirement if you get 30% or better. Another thing to know is, when you file for VA claim later down the road for knees, just know VA do not care about pain. VA only want to know how much mobility you have with the joints. Since your PA, Commander, and 1st line supervisor may not be up to par with different regulations dealing with MEB, refer them to AR 40-501 Standard of medical fitness, the same guidelines they use at MEPs; Chapter 3 for Retention, Separation, Retirement since you been almost 5 years, 3-13 Lower extremities until you find knees at the bottom and continue into 3-14 as well.......

2018-12-03T20:34:43-05:00 2018-12-03T20:34:43-05:00 PFC Ray Valentine 4425058

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Do not go for it . chapter 5-17 bars u from getting compensation for ur injury. you must receive a medical discharge

2019-03-06T11:56:53-05:00 2019-03-06T11:56:53-05:00 CPL Justin Keller 4475002

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I wasn’t given the chance to get it. Injured my shoulder on a tank hatch and got the 5-17 Commanders Release Honorable Discharge. It’s bullshit. Wasn’t even given the opportunity to go to the VA representative office, asked many times.

2019-03-22T22:57:57-04:00 2019-03-22T22:57:57-04:00 PFC Private RallyPoint Member 5108177

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Are you still able to get a decent job under a Chapter 5-17 due to medical reasons?

2019-10-09T15:48:00-04:00 2019-10-09T15:48:00-04:00 2018-12-03T12:32:36-05:00