Is there anyway to repeal chapter 5-17?

2020-01-14T04:44:26-05:00

Details leading up to recommendation from the pa. Note: I’ve been in for 3.5 years as an 88m: My knee has been messing up for some time now. I haven’t been able to take a pt test for about a year and a half due to profiles and trying to get a doctor to find out what is wrong with my knee. The same pa that is recommending chapter sent me to physical therapy and told me to come back for a review and talk about the next option for my issues. PT ended the day before I went on leave and today was my first day back to the unit and the same day I was told by my 1sg that I have been recommended. Note I did miss a few of my PT appointments due to taskings and pa briefly said after looking further into my medical history that there is something the should disqualify me for even being in the army, he said to schedule an appointment with him and he would go into further detail. Top is telling me there is nothing I can do and wants me to set up sfl tap ASAP. I can do my job to standard I just can’t run.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2020 7:25 AM

2020-01-14T07:25:45-05:00

SPC Chopard. unfortunately if everything i read is accurate, you are NOT able to do your job. Doing your job entails EVERYTHING in the Army, to include a PT Test. That's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes. Not everyone is capable of a long career. Its not your fault that your body cannot handle the rigors of the Army. If your intent on trying to stay in the Army, I would recommend making that appointment with the PA and see what he has to say, and see if there are any other options. You can only stay on temporary profile for so long. Inquire about a permanent profile, maybe that will allow you to stay and you can do the walk instead of run. In the long run, you have to keep in mind your health. The Army doesn't care if they put you out, there will always be somebody they can replace you with. But take care of yourself. This might seem insurmountable at this time, but who knows, maybe you find something you love as a civilian, and look back years from now and thankful you can still walk, and didn't destroy your body for years in the Army. i wish you luck, make that appointment, stay positive, and being a civilian isn't the worst thing in the world!!!!!!!!

Response by SPC Joshua Bender made Jan 14 at 2020 7:39 AM

2020-01-14T07:39:16-05:00

Have you pushed to take one of the alternative events? I had the same issue and ended up walking the run. Your top is mistaken when he says there is nothing you can do. you have the right to appeal and even request an appointment with an outside TDS rep (That's basically a JAG rep for separation cases). The thing about a 5-17 is that they have to prove that it impairs your ability to do your job. If you can take an alternate event, argue that. Whatever you do, if you want to stay in, fight for yourself and show your unit your willingness to work with them to stay in. I fought tooth and nail to stay in the reserves, and I had a long reservist career walking my PT test, and wearing hearing aids. Just because your a bit broke, doesn't mean you have to give up and rolll over if they want to put you out and you want to stay in. The first thing you should do is request your consultation and don't let them feed you any bullshit saying that things are set in stone, etc. See what your options are. With my hearing luckily, my leadership wanted me to go with them on deployment, and stuck up for me, in my MEB. Seriously I went to Iraq wearing a set of hearing aids, and that was something that should have disqualified me.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2020 10:43 AM

2020-01-14T10:43:48-05:00

One other thing i forgot to mention. Go ahead and do your SFL-TAP. Whats the worst that can happen? You gain extra knowledge? If you manage to stay in it wont hurt you to have that knowledge you learned in SFL-TAP. As a matter of fact i would send Soldier waaaaaaaaaay ahead of time, it actually became a retention tool for me, because once they sat down and actually did a realistic budget to include what they would pay for Medical insurance, they came back looking to re-enlist. But knowledge is never bad. Do the SFL-TAP and if you manage to stay in your smarter because of it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2020 4:02 PM

2020-01-14T16:02:22-05:00

You should set up SFLTAP no matter what. The PA can recommend a 5-17 but it's the CDR who approves it. In this case, I'm pretty sure it's the BDE CDR. A 5-17 is usually for pain without a source of injury or known cause. If there is an actual injury you should be referred to a med board for separation. Either way, both have you separating in less than a year

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Apr 8 at 2020 12:06 PM

2020-04-08T12:06:56-04:00

I injured a knee in basic myself, spent 6 weeks of basic on profile.
Later I got a permanent profile for feet, I never again took a PT test.
I had a 1SG try to get me out, but my CO told him to leave me alone as I was top repair person and constantly taking correspondence courses with great scores. I spent almost 7 years on active duty ( 6 years after my permanent profile).