Should I accept a permanent profile?

2019-10-06T02:05:15-04:00

I recently found out via MRI that i have a bulging disk and pinched nerve in my lower back. The physician offered a permanent profile, or said i can go to a chiropractor or pain management. As i am young in my career I do not want to have a profile hold me back from advancing in anyway, however I do not want to injure myself anymore than I am now.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2019 4:40 AM

2019-10-06T04:40:20-04:00

You have a bulging disk in your back, unless you want to further injure it I would take it. A P2 will not prevent you from advancing in your career, I have had one for ten years and since then I've been promoted twice. I have always said it; above all else, your health is most important.

More than likely it will be a P2. If a P3 is placed, a MEB will be initiated.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Oct 6 at 2019 5:08 AM

2019-10-06T05:08:15-04:00

If the P-3 Profile doesn’t impact the PULES requirements for your current MOS; then it Shouldn’t impact your career. I served with a P-3 Profile after completion of AIT and it’s only impact was upon my PFT score. I was only awarded passing score for the run. That being said; I was unaware I could substitute swimming, biking, or ever walking in an effort to improve that score. I could have stayed in as long as I wanted. I requested a Medical Discharge because my Unit ‘sucked’, I was freezing in Northern Germany, and was fed up with the BS... I had a BA degree when I enlisted; was supposed to go OCS after AIT, can’t do that with a healing broken pelvic bone. Research your options carefully; however exerbating your injuries isn’t worth it (another reason I got out). I was Honorary Discharged with enough of a Disability Rating to qualify for VOC REHAB and obtained two Masters Degrees. I fought the VA documentation fight and achieved my 100% Service-Connected rating in 2012. I was 80% in 2005. Good Luck! Don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance!
Nancy

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2019 9:58 AM

2019-10-06T09:58:50-04:00

Take the profile, physical therapy, and pain management.
One day you'll be old, and unless medicine and technology progress, you will still have that condition, and the pain and limitations that accompany it. There will be no comments on evaluations or awards about how you suffered through the pain and worsened your condition, and the military will not much care.
Take care of your health. The old you will thank, or curse, the young you.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Oct 6 at 2019 12:15 PM

2019-10-06T12:15:05-04:00

Take the profile. If you already have the condition diagnosed this early in service, it will only get worse as time goes on. That's WITH a profile.

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Oct 6 at 2019 12:29 PM

2019-10-06T12:29:59-04:00

Take the profile. I herniated 2 discs on my first deployment. I tried to gut through several PT tests the sit-ups killed me and I couldn’t finish. The last one I tried I ended up going to the ER. Ended up going to a Medical Review Board and got a permanent profile on sit-ups and the run Retired 10 years later and deployed a second time with no problems

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Oct 6 at 2019 12:39 PM

2019-10-06T12:39:45-04:00

There's a saying, "it is what it is". Any profile is not going to hold you back, the profile merely quantifies your condition and any limitation your condition imposes on your ability to perform certain physical tasks. If you hide the condition and fail to perform a task expected of a person in the billet you are assigned, at best your condition will then become a matter of record, or at worst you will be considered incapable because your condition is not divulged.
I, as 1SG (Anonymous) recommended, would take all three alternatives, the PT and pain management may help you limit the impact of your condition and cause anyone reporting on your performance to preface a their opinion with something like "Despite his recorded physical condition, SPC Tademy has performed his duties with distinction with no indication of physical impairment."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2019 1:42 PM

2019-10-06T13:42:21-04:00

You don't actually have a choice. You have a bulging disc, you're going to keep returning to the doctor for pain management until they are forced to give you a P2.The profile isn't what will hold you back in your career, it's your back. If you don't learn to deal with that now, it will be the end of your career in the future.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 6 at 2019 2:33 PM

2019-10-06T14:33:26-04:00

I like 1SG Private RallyPoint Member advice. Having documented proof of an injury while on active duty will make dealing with the VA health care system easier in the future. I've had good experiences with chiropractors and physical therapy. My wife has had good experience with pain management doctors.

Response by SGT David Petree made Oct 6 at 2019 2:50 PM

2019-10-06T14:50:38-04:00

take the P2 & get the treatment you need . you still can get promoted with it . taking a P 3 will heart you on getting a promotion , but help you with the VA when you get out !! the main thing is to get treatment , stay with in the guide lines of the profile & do your job. you can thank your self when you get older.

Response by SP6 Guy Slater made Oct 7 at 2019 12:23 AM

2019-10-07T00:23:05-04:00

I was "injured" in Vietnam in 1971 (damned near lost my right, primary, hand.) At that time, the P3 Upper Extremity Profile read, "No pull-ups, no push-up, no PT or PT testing, no weapons. No lifting greater than 50 pounds." Despite that, and probably because of the times, I was allowed to re-enlist (1st time) and continue in my MOS's. I didn't allow it to affect me. The key word there is "I." My Primary MOS was 31M, Radio Relay and Carrier Team Chief, and it required handling cable reels weighing 90 pounds. At 6'6" and 210 pounds, I had no problem carrying one in each hand. BUT...I had a CSM who had a hard-on for me, and wanted me eliminated, thought I was a doper (I wasn't and still am not, just crazier that a loon.) He finally got me reclassified. And I think (don't know) interfered with my EER by influencing my Rater.

Later, after MOS School in the Medical field, a new boss (in 1980) looked at the profile, and "suggested" that I drop it (She did a lot more than "suggest," but was smart enough to not put it in writing.) When I refused, she, as my endorser, wrote a scathing SEER that I think did hold me back from being promoted to E-7.

In 1986 I was Medically Retired in grade, in part due to that injury from 1971. But...something to think about if you have to make the decision on keeping the Profile, because I kept the profile, the injury was considered into my Medical Retirement rating of 30% (from the Army. VA is a whole different rating system.)

Bottom line: it isn't supposed to effect you, but you will always run into some prick NCO or Officer who wants to be a hard-ass. If you have any sort of a temper, I would suggest that rather than, at some future date, running afoul of said prick, if you can, take a medical discharge (I don't think you have the TIS for a retirement, from what you've written.)

Which ever way you decide, the best of luck to you.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 7 at 2019 12:29 AM

2019-10-07T00:29:26-04:00

I had a tracked vehicle blow up under me in Antarctica. Spine wasn't happy. So I was Boarded and determined to be fit for duty with "management". If my condition worsened, the Board would revisit. Ultimately, I kept passing the PRTs and the back stayed good enough for the remaining 26 years. Bottom line, if you want to stay in and progress, there is a path. As you go down that path MAKE SURE you copy/scan every medical record scrap and keep copies at home and a safe deposit box. At some time in the future the MIL side will flip the booger over to VA. For organizations that say they care, they really don't in that your official records are a 50/50 proposition on being completely there when VA makes a determination. It's amazing how just a few missing pages can derail you. The profile also means it's harder for VA to run and hide from it. Although I sat a number of promotion boards (dated now), there was never any reference to medical anywhere which record reviews would show, by policy. It's not fair game. Keep an eye out for any EVAL that tries to "help" with anything related to "condition". Had a couple float up my way. Needless to say, my XO and SEL did some remedial lawn mowing after I got done with them.

Response by MAJ Jeff Coulter made Oct 7 at 2019 12:34 AM

2019-10-07T00:34:51-04:00

Take a P2 profile. It won't hurt your career, and your body will thank you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2019 1:06 PM

2019-10-08T13:06:20-04:00

From someone that has 3 bulging disks l3-l4 l4-l5 l5-s1 a flattened thecal sack (the protective sack around your spine) arthritis in the back, degenerative disk disorder. And a permanent profile, take it.... trust me.... you're only going to get older. 1 year in the civilian life is like 5 in the military. Our bodies get pushed so hard every day so they break alot quicker. Being on a profile because there is an actual issue is alright it doesnt make you any less of a Soldier. Now if it was some made up b.s. then yes it would. Take the profile.... you only have 1 body. Take care of it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2019 8:51 PM

2019-10-08T20:51:17-04:00

Depends, as an NCO, may not make it past SSG as you need to be in front. Can’t be a Platoon Sergeant f you can’t keep up with your Platoon Leader and Squad Leaders. As an Officer, won’t make it past Major as you have to be in front of your Battalion Along side your CSM. That’s life.

Response by SSG Darrell Peters made Oct 9 at 2019 12:49 PM

2019-10-09T12:49:04-04:00

Although they say the profile is permanent it is only for five years. After five years all permanent profiles are evaluated. Take the profile. If you injury occurs with out it. The argument will be it was offered and turned down you are then looking at no compensation through a medical review board. The profile system is in place to help you recover from an injury or illness.
Believe me When I was on staff at Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Augusta GA, You would think a Company Commander would not question a profile issued to one of his troops because of a Cancer Diagnosis. The kid did fine after Chemotherapy. He was pending orders to the Medhold Company So the Oncologist issued a permanent profile. I will never forget the conversation with his CO before he was transferred to Medical Hold. "Why can't he take a PT test?" He has what kind of Cancer?" then the anger really got up there when I told him I could not discuss the soldier's medical condition due to HIPPA.