What advice do you have for someone with a contract that is ending and a back injury that is not getting better?

2021-07-29T23:05:01-04:00

Hi, I'm currently a 25U SPC at JBLM. My contract ends in 02/2023 and I don't know what I should really do when my contract ends. I have back injury which put me on profile for about a year now and it's not getting better. I'm wondering if I choose to re-enlist, I will not be able to pass my PT tests and might get kicked out for being on profile for too long.
My other option is to reclass to a MOS that don't do PT, I'm thinking maybe 27D MOS or 35P maybe? Cause if that's the case, I can stay in and not get my back injury worse. But that also comes with the risk that I might get stationed randomly. I'm pretty happy with where I am at right now, JBLM because my family is here.
Or should I go choose to go reserve to be able to both reclass and choose to get stationed in South Korea for the monthly training? Then I can go do full time college by using the GI bills to get BAH and maybe only work in the weekend. I'm currently having 80 credits, 40 away from a BA. I'm thinking about getting BA or Master in IT major, but this option might put me in financial difficulty due to my income will be solely based on the GI Bill BAH.
Any advices would help me a lot to determine my path for the future.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Jul 29 at 2021 11:30 PM

2021-07-29T23:30:52-04:00

ALL MOS's do PT and ALL are subject to deployment. Deployments mean having to carry your own gear and move equipment that your unit uses. You will also still need to qualify with your assigned weapon, maintain vehicles, and be able to ride in a vehicle for long periods of time over various terrain, while also still being able to mount and dismount from the vehicles. Think long and hard about this and work with your primary physician.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2021 11:48 PM

2021-07-29T23:48:37-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Excellent advice from SFC Sczymanski James L. ... all I would add is to get a copy of all your medical records should you decide to E.T.S.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 29 at 2021 11:59 PM

2021-07-29T23:59:55-04:00

Being in the military means you are expected to meet or exceed a level of fitness that will deem you deployment ready. Don't try to find the mythical MOS that doesn't deploy or PT. Even in the reserves and Guard you are expected to PT and be deployment ready. That is giving yourself a false sense of security. If you have limitations due to injury or illness you need to go to medical and get it addressed and get it documented. Either it can be fixed or not but go to medical and get it sorted so you know the answer. If it's an issue you will be med boarded which in the end isn't the worse thing to happen if you are experiencing issues that can't be repaired/reversed. Works towards using TA to get as much college done as possible before you leave the Army because you will still have the GI bill when you get out

Response by SSG Bobbyray Kinskey made Jul 30 at 2021 1:21 AM

2021-07-30T01:21:06-04:00

You can take PT test with permanent profile . I was a profile walker . Permanent profile is done by military doctor . I do not know what your PULSE is for any of these MOS 's your in or looking into . I would not get out until I had my back fixed . Do you need arch supports to stand up straighter and help your back ? Do you have any feet or leg problems too ? Are your Sergeants taking care of You? A year is a long time to be on profile . What was the injury ? How is it being treated? You can put in a VA calm while still on active duty . Your UA and Platoon Sergeant and Section Sergeant should be able to help you out . If you think you may need arch supports , you can get permission to go to sick call , at sick call you can get a council of podiatry to the right hospital that makes custom arch supports . ( That helped my lower back muscles and my knees .) First I would get permanent profile to be able to take PT test and do PT . Then look into National Guard in your area where you are stationed . National Guard gets 100 percent in state college tuition and can draw GI bill at same time . Hope you can get your back better . PT in the Army is jerky . On my profile I had permission to go at my own pace . I was allowed to run at my own pace and distance for performance of duties but only walk for PT test . ( So I was able to do unit run in my arch supports in running shoes . I recommend Brooks brand .) Please let me know if any of this info helps . V/r : Retired Staff Sergeant [login to see] Land Line [login to see] Norfolk Virginia MOSQ 74D / 91C / 91E

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2021 1:27 AM

2021-07-30T01:27:26-04:00

Man..... You are seriously misinformed about a lot of things

Everyone does PT. EVERY MOS does PT. I work at a Division level staff and we do PT. Even though the APFT is out it's still a significant source of promotion points. Believe me, the 27Ds and 35Ps are out there doing PT like everyone else.

You don't get stationed somewhere in the Reserves. You live somewhere and join a local Reserves unit. They can reclass you if they have an opening for an MOS you are willing to fill. It can take a year or two to go to Reclass school.

There is no monthly training in Korea. If you join the Reserves you will drill one weekend a month, two weeks a year. Your drill will pay you just about enough money to cover your Tricare medical insurance premiums. Your two weeks will be half a month of base pay in the whole year.

You can't survive on just BAH. 75% of people who use the GI Bill report that they encountered unexpected financial difficulty. Almost a quarter will drop out of school for a period because of that. Many never return to finish. Your housing allowance in Korea is about $1700 a month and $1000 for books in a year. Out of that you have to pay your food, rent, transportation, additional school expenses, medical expenses, fuel, utilities, etc. BAH alone is not a significant source of income for a long period of time.

You can easily finish your degree on active duty with Army paying for everything. JBLM has an incentive policy that if you reenlist for stabilization you can go to college for a semester, up to six months, full time as your primary place of duty.

Army TA will even pay for part of your Masters, up to $250 per semester hour, and pay for the IT/Cyber certifications you will want if you pursue an IT degree.

If you are so broken that you can no longer to PT then you should stay long enough to med board, not just ETS. There is a lot of future money, education benefits, and resources available to people who are medically separated that are much harder to qualify for if you just ETS.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 30 at 2021 1:30 AM

2021-07-30T01:30:21-04:00

If I was you with still 1.5 years left on my contract, you have convinced me to separate. You are obviously thinking ahead and have the mental capacity to go far. Not everyone does 20 and your service will always be something you did. You will get moved to another duty station and the Army does not really care about your family. That is the simple truth. Should you stay, how do you feel about Filipinos? So many of us marry them there are communities everywhere you could get that Asian family feeling. What really convinces me you should get out is you are really forward thinking and while being enlisted is a great experience, I think you have bigger and better in your future.

Response by PO3 Ernest Jimenez made Jul 30 at 2021 2:55 AM

2021-07-30T02:55:19-04:00

Dude... take the plunge and get your education with the Post 9/11 GI Bill. If you don’t know what you want to do, just knock out some general courses and get that Housing allowance rolling, at the very minimum this will buy you a few years to figure out what you want to do.

Also this will help ease you back into the civilian life. Trust me, its not so bad in the civ div!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2021 7:56 AM

2021-07-30T07:56:15-04:00

First off, hit up the Army docs about the injury and document it in your file, make copies of everything, digital and hard copies.
You could get a deadman profile if you stay in, but you will be expected to get better.
If your back injury is a result from service and not going to get better, you should get medically retired. This will save you headaches with the VA later on.
As far as Reserve service goes, if you want to stay where you are you will have to pick a unit near you and pick from the MOS's they need, they will then send you to re-class and you will train where they do, which will be somewhat locally.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2021 8:56 AM

2021-07-30T08:56:23-04:00

ETS you are not fit for service. Thank you for serving your country but it sounds like it's time for you to start a new chapter. I'm perplexed as to why a MEB was not initiated with a year long profile?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 30 at 2021 9:45 AM

2021-07-30T09:45:25-04:00

Based on your post, I advise you to leave the Army. Carefully document all your medical problems do you can apply to the VA for disability after you ETS. Take full advantage of tuition assistance programs until you get out. Complete your bachelors degree if possible. IT is a good field in which to find a job. Be sure to complete as many certifications as possible in the type of IT you want to find a job in.

Many international companies will be happy to have you work overseas temporarily or permanently.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jul 30 at 2021 11:03 AM

2021-07-30T11:03:35-04:00

Dude. There is ONLY one MOS that does not do PT. But to get it you have to ETS. It is called being a civilian. Past that every single MOST does PT. Period. Not sure who told you that any MOS does not do PT but they sold you some prime swampland in whatever state.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2021 12:09 PM

2021-07-30T12:09:27-04:00

Typically, in these cases, a unit will recommend a MedBoard. I went through this in AD. If you can pass the alternate events on the PT to work around your medical issue, you can fight a MedBoard and the board can return you to AD with a Permanent Profile. It really depends on how bad the issue is and whether you can continue in AD with it.
If you decide to ETS, you can certainly file for your service-connection and then apply for Vocational Rehabilitation Services through the VA. They can pay all tuition/books and a stipend while you are FT enrolled.
Based on some of your questions, it appears that this may be a good time to contemplate your future and decide which way to pivot. The choices you make now will shape your future, for better or worse. Think long and hard.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2021 12:47 PM

2021-07-30T12:47:21-04:00

Who has been misguiding you? Where did you hear all this stuff?

"My other option is to reclass to a MOS that don't do PT, I'm thinking maybe 27D MOS or 35P maybe?" - What MOS doesn't do PT? Every single MOS has to be able to pass a fitness test. I don't know any MOS where there's no requirement to pass a PT test and ABCP. Why do you think those two MOS don't have to be physically fit at the minimum Army standard?

"Or should I go choose to go reserve to be able to both reclass and choose to get stationed in South Korea for the monthly training? Then I can go do full time college by using the GI bills to get BAH and maybe only work in the weekend. I'm currently having 80 credits, 40 away from a BA. I'm thinking about getting BA or Master in IT major, but this option might put me in financial difficulty due to my income will be solely based on the GI Bill BAH." --- Where did you get this idea from too?

Yikes.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2021 12:55 PM

2021-07-30T12:55:17-04:00

Looking thru the post responses and seeing that you have seen a Chiro, a PA and a Pain Management Specialist..I have to ask: Have you seen an Orthopedic Specialist/Surgeon yet?

You could receive a permanent profile. But, if you get a Perm Profile with a 3 in any category of PULHES, then an MEB is automatically. If you get a 2, then you're not going to face an MEB. Unless your Primary Care Provider(s) determine you need an MEB.

All MOS's do PT.

As for the Reserves, depending on where your HOR is, and what Reserve units are nearest to you with your MOS, that is where you get assigned. If you choose to live in South Korea and travel to/from a Reserve unit....say in California....you will have to fly to/from Weekend Battle Training Assembly every month. You're probably looking at 2 days of travel on each side of Training weekends. And let me tell you, the Army Reserves want you to be home before midnight of the last day of Battle Training Assembly weekend. If you do not make it home before midnight, you would have to be on Orders. Hell, you could decide to live in California and be assigned to a unit in Arkansas if that is where the nearest open slot is at. Also, the plane ticket is paid for by you but will be reimbursed by the Army Reserves BUT only up to $500.00. What I am trying to get at is that the Reserves slots/assigns Soldiers differently than they do for AD.

You need to have some conversation with folks. These should/need to be your Retention NCO/Career Counselor, an Ortho doctor, and your Primary Care Provider.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2021 7:23 PM

2021-07-30T19:23:03-04:00

At the granular level, you have to get informed and make an adult decision. Many are told they have a bum knee - PFS - and same as me they learn later it's more than that. If you can't train you are likely unfit for Military service. Injuries don't get better with age. Get all the 411 and make the call. Documentation is key. Get it fixed or at least documented if you choose to move on.

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Jul 31 at 2021 5:00 AM

2021-07-31T05:00:47-04:00

Document everything with medical about your back injury. If you can't PT, no matter the MOS you are going to have a hard time staying in. Your best bet is to either finish up your contract, get a medical separation if your back isn't getting any better. You'll likely have to deal with the VA often with your back injury so the documentation will be immensely useful as you may receive additional compensation for your service connected injuries with a disability rating. Also check your state benefits as you may be eligible for additional aid.

Response by PO1 Don Uhrig made Sep 26 at 2021 11:04 PM

2021-09-26T23:04:46-04:00

My response mirrors the age of question of "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" Answer: "Practice, practice, practice." So for your back injury, the answer is: "Documentation, documentation, documentation." Followed by an immediate Compensation and Pension claim with the VA. You can even start the process BEFORE you are discharged. You deserve and are entitled to, compensation for ANYTHING that has happened to you while you served. Don't let labels like 'sick bay commando' prevent you from getting your condition(s) documented. Don't buy anything over the counter - that's not documented! Go to sick call. "Complain" as it's called in a medical record. That's the only way you will succeed in a VA C&P claim.